“We Need to Stop Hesitating, It’s Time to Open the Door Permanently”: Rugby Africa President Calls for Structural Change on Pan African Women’s Day

“Rugby Africa’s backbone is built by women. Yet we still have to ask, how many unions across the continent are truly prepared to nominate women into leadership? We need to stop hesitating. It’s time to open the door, not just wider, but permanently,” stated Herbert Mensah.

CAPE TOWN, South Africa– On Pan African Women’s Day, a day established to honour the role of African women in liberation and development, Herbert Mensah, President of Rugby Africa and Executive Board Member of World Rugby, called for a fundamental shift in the way African sport approaches gender equity, governance reform, and investment in women’s leadership during his keynote speech on Thursday, July 31.

“Rugby Africa has been built on the backbone of incredibly strong women. As we move toward constitutional reform, we’re aiming to set a target around 40% for women on our board, to help institutionalise that legacy,” said Mensah.

Hosted by Africa Sports Ventures Group and Women In Sport Africa Network, the webinar was held under the theme “Rooted in Greatness: Advancing African Women’s Leadership and Legacy in Sport,” the virtual event convened prominent leaders such as Minister of Sports of Sierra Leone, Hon. Augusta James Teima and Paulina Lanco, Chairperson of  Women’s Rugby Africa Advisory Committee, World Rugby Board Member and Member of the Rugby Africa Executive Committee (EXCO),  to spotlight the growing role of African women in sport and explore ways to ensure greater representation at all levels.

“Africa has excellence, and for me, that excellence is most powerfully embodied in its women. Today, we see women serving as presidents, ministers, and deputy ministers of sport. As men, as institutions, and even as fellow women, we must work together, not in competition, but in partnership, for the greater good,” added Mensah.

The President of Rugby Africa cited the organisation’s internal transformation as a working model for success, highlighting the leadership of key women: Maha Zaoui, the newly appointed General Manager of Rugby Africa; Coralie Van Den Berg, former General Manager and current Regional Partnership Manager for Africa at World Rugby; and Paulina Lanco.

The event takes place amid widespread concern over global gender disparities in sport. According to the United Nations, only 26.9% of executive positions in international sport federations are held by women, while girls drop out of sport participation at twice the rate of boys by age 14. Mensah called on stakeholders to reverse these trends through intentional policy, funding, and visibility.

Drawing from personal and professional experience, Mensah emphasised the urgent need for cultural and mindset change in African governance and sport administration: “My offices are run by women. Rugby Africa’s backbone is built by women. Yet we still have to ask, how many unions across the continent are truly prepared to nominate women into leadership? We need to stop hesitating. It’s time to open the door, not just wider, but permanently.”

Citing examples from the global sports industry and his role on the World Rugby Executive Board, Mensah stressed that change requires measurable benchmarks, inclusive structures, and the political will to open doors, not only for women, but for Africa as a global sporting force.

“There’s a collaboration between men and women, that can drive and provide a platform to go forward. But that requires open minds and a willingness to lead differently. When we set targets, it’s not about tokenism, it’s about recognizing excellence.”

The keynote was followed by a distinguished panel of speakers, who echoed Mensah’s call to action and shared insights from their respective fields.

To Access Video Recording: Click Here
 
Featured Speakers:

• Hon. Augusta James Teima, Minister of Sports, Sierra Leone (Plenary Address)
• Dr. Memuna Williams, Co-Founder, Empowering Sustainable Change & Champs for Change
• Paulina Lanco, Rugby Africa EXCO Member; Chairperson, Women’s Rugby Africa Advisory Committee (WRAC); World Rugby Board Member
• Tega Onojaife, Founder, Ladies in Sports International; Sports Producer & Presenter
• Ouname Mhotsha, Professional Golfer & Women in Sport Advocate
• Moderator: Carole Beckford, Sports Marketing Specialist and former publicist to Usain Bolt