Itumeleng Banda’s Rise in Sports Media
From Alexandra to national screens, Itumeleng Banda is boldly rewriting the narrative for women inside male-dominated sports broadcasting.
Itumeleng Banda’s star has been steadily rising, though her journey wasn’t paved with shortcuts but with resilience and determination.
In spaces where women’s voices were once muted, her persistence and passion have been loudly celebrated, pushing barriers in unexpected and powerful ways.
FROM HUMBLE BEGINNINGS TO THE SPOTLIGHT: ITUMELENG’S JOURNEY
Raised in Alexandra, Itumeleng remembers living “two lives”—speaking English at school in Rivonia, then returning home to isiZulu in Alex.
Her broadcasting career took off at Alex FM, where she worked as a news anchor at just 19. She got her big break as the host of the award-winning radio show Feminine First Touch on Massiv Metro.
She marked another milestone as the pioneering female anchor of the African Football League on SABC. Banda describes her childhood as carefree, filled with friends, street games, and big dreams that stretched beyond her surroundings.
Because of her passion for broadcasting, she shares that she always wanted to be on YoTV while growing up.
“During school holidays, I often featured on their show Summer Splash as part of the child audience. Once, they asked if anyone wanted to do a link, and I raised my hand. I did it, and afterwards, production even spoke to my mom about bringing me on board,” she says.
She says her mother encouraged her to focus on her studies, which meant she had to pass on the opportunity. At the time, she didn’t understand her mom’s decision.
Banda studied Film and Television at the University of Johannesburg and now presents for SuperSport Schools and Soweto TV.
“My mom and I loved watching Zaziwa,” she recalls. Banda is crediting the show and Pearl Modiadie‘s style for sparking her love for broadcasting.
A MOMENT THAT VALIDATED ITUMELENG IN SPORTS MEDIA
Her pivotal turning point was cemented when she won an award at the 2020 Momentum Gsport Woman in Radio award.
She says, “The mere fact that I got to go up against women I look up to and admire showed me that I belong in sports media.”
The validation was undeniable, proving her undeniable talent deserved respect, regardless of whether her start was accidental or born out of pure chance.
Interestingly, Itumeleng admits sports media wasn’t planned, “I just wanted to work… I just happened to be really good at it.”
By embracing what initially felt accidental, her career path was unexpectedly transformed into a destiny far larger than she had first imagined.
BANDA ON NAVIGATING A MALE-DOMINATED SPACE
Sports broadcasting has historically been designed for men, but women like Banda have carefully pried open doors and never looked back.
Her perspective remains refreshing: “Sometimes in life, you don’t necessarily get what you want, but what you don’t want is possibly what you need.”
Through persistence, she proved that talent cannot be overlooked, even in industries long dominated by men and where women’s voices were seldom heard.
Her rise was deliberate and steady, each step reinforcing her presence in spaces once reserved for male-only pundits.
Today, she stands as a formidable voice, reshaping conversations and inspiring future generations of women to claim their space.
WOMEN DESERVE VISIBILITY IN SPORTS
Itumeleng says equality in sports media is essential, “It allows women to dream beyond the boundaries and just to be seen.”
By reminding audiences that equality begins with storytelling, Banda makes it clear that coverage shapes reality for athletes craving genuine recognition and respect.
Banda now works with SuperSport Schools, a role that perfectly connects with her vision of inspiring and empowering youth.
“SuperSport Schools aligns with my passion for youth development. Kids covered today are tomorrow’s stars, and documenting their journey from a young age is powerful. It inspires me too, reminding me my dreams are valid,” she says.
INSPIRED BY POWERFUL WOMEN
Her advocacy is uniquely powerful because it isn’t just about herself but about ensuring every girl can finally feel represented.
She firmly acknowledged those who came before her: “I respect women like Carol Tshabalala because they paved the way for us.”
She also honours her mother, “She is my rock. That is my heartbeat, every fibre of my being, every straw of my bone.”
Additionally, Itumeleng salutes lessons from others, “Supporting another woman, clapping for another woman, does nothing, takes nothing away from me.”
A FUTURE BUILT BEYOND LIMITS
Asked about her future plans, Banda confidently says her broadcasting career won’t be limited by categories but will grow across Africa.
She explains, “I want to do African football. I want to do World Cups. That’s definitely on my list.”
