Born and raised in the Limpopo village of Dichoueng in Jane Furse, Naledi Aphane, 25, credits her love for sports broadcasting to the quiet encouragement of her grandfather. Growing up, the two shared a bond over football, and with every match they watched together, he reminded her: “You belong there.” Naledi is living that affirmation on some of the world’s biggest sporting stages. As a sports reporter and broadcaster, she has covered global events including the Men’s ODI Cricket World Cup, the Women’s T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates, the Abu Dhabi T10, and the IPL mega auction. One of her proudest moments was standing in for Robert Marawa, hosting his show — a full-circle moment inspired by Thursday evenings watching Marawa and Thato Moeng with her grandfather. She also runs a fast-growing sports podcast with a strong following in the United Kingdom, blending sharp analysis with fresh storytelling. Off-air, Naledi spends her time mentoring girls in her hometown, reminding them that their dreams are valid, no matter how distant they seem. Armed with qualifications in radio vocal training, digital marketing and a TEFL certificate, Naledi is carving a path that combines passion, resilience, and purpose.
I look up to Robert Marawa, Thato Moeng and, currently, Kate Scott and Anita Jones. Robert Marawa and Thato Moeng have influenced my journey because, when they hosted their Thursday show on SuperSport, my grandfather and I never missed an episode. He would always affirm that I belonged there and that I would one day be like Thato Moeng.