She is the host of a weekly show from 9am until 12pm called ‘The Turnstiles’ on Visionview Sport.
Mbali Sigidi first got into the spotlight when she joined the Dstv Diski Challenge in 2019. Then, it was still called the Multichoice Diski Challenge.
The 31-year-old is now one of the faces of the Dstv Diski Challenge along with Lerato Phago and Thando Sibiya, who now works abroad.
The Dstv Diski Challenge is an initiative between the Premier Soccer League and DStv to develop football talent from the 16 PSL teams.
Mbali recalls how she became a part of the Dstv Diski Challenge.
“I remember that day like it was yesterday. One of the Directors Simo Nalane called me in the morning while I was relaxing on the couch. I was about five months pregnant at the time. He mentioned that I will be joining the Diski team when the season starts and followed that with words of encouragement, which re-ignited a furnace of passion inside of me," she says.
“After the call, I had an avalanche of emotions from being excited, pregnant, happy, and eager. I had already joined Supersport in 2018, and thus receiving that great news was a validation of my growth and trust from the company.”
When the new season commenced, there were four presenters.
“At the time, there was me and another lady joined the team, making us six presenters in total. I truly enjoyed learning from those who were there before me. Their hospitality, openness, and support were unmatched. It was great being surrounded by women who understood the importance of producing quality productions over their egos because at the end of the day it wasn't about us, but the viewers who are watching.”
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Born and raised in Protea North, Soweto, Mbali says her late father played a big role in my growth in the industry and kept her grounded.
“The values he instilled in me kept me focused, and often steered me back into good steed whenever I veered off the road.”
When he passed away in August 2019, it was the most confusing and overwhelming time of her life.
“I went through a period of detachment from the industry, as nothing made sense without him. The fact that I was unable to call him when I had great production, or when his beloved team Kaizer Chiefs won was a bitter pill to swallow. But what gave me comfort was remembering how proud he was of me and how I choose to continue honouring his memory. So, sports for me is more than a game, it’s in my fibre, my childhood memories, my biggest triumphs in life, my greatest lows, my salvation, my joy, and my father's memory.”
Raised in a staunch Christian home, she spent most of her time with family.
“I have three older brothers and I'm the last born and only girl. My parents did their best to establish a solid foundation for our faith and to raise us with a sense of responsibility.
“My mother was a nurse and did a lot of night duty, so most of the time I was left with my father and brothers.”
The male dominance in the house influenced her love for the sport, particularly football.
Mbali has always loved sports and played from primary school until high school.
“Having three older brothers, no sisters, and being the youngest also meant that I didn't have much of a choice as to what will be watched on TV. So 100% of the time, we were watching sports. The sports bug bit me at age eight years old while we were watching the 1998 FIFA World Cup, which was in France,” she says.
“It was the final between France and Brazil, and the Brazilians lost to Zinedine Zidane’s men. I remember crying that day for Brazil, while I sat on my yellow plastic chair, in my blue denim dungaree. That was the first time I understood the emotional aspect of being a sportsman. You prepare for four years for a single moment to perform that could potentially define your legacy. All I knew was that I was emotional and hooked and that the trajectory of my life would not be the same anymore. I was part of many sports codes at school such as netball, bakers’ cricket, badminton, tennis, athletics, cross country, and women’s football.”
As she grew older, she gravitated towards Sports media.
“I wanted to be a brand manager or communications manager for a team or a league. When I did my undergrad at the Wits University, I studied a BA in Media Studies and Sociology. When I graduated, I went on to do my Honours degree from Vega School of Brand Leadership and graduated as an Honours student in Brand Communications.
“I didn't study sports formally, however, I received my journalism training on the job at Soweto TV, the place that really opened doors for me and added to my career. It is also the place where I received my first industry award and so I will forever respect the contribution Soweto TV had in my growth.”
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In 2019 Mbali was part of the Mail and Guardian Top 200, in the category of sports. She has received SAB Best Newcomer, she is a two-time winner of the Gauteng Sports Awards and the winner of the GSport and the TUT Sports Journalist of the year awards. But with all her success and achievements, she remains humble about the game.“I have never been a person who speaks about my achievements, however, someone once told me that no one will celebrate you like you, and no one understands the blood sweat, and tears that went into winning that award as you do,” she says.
“So, I have learned to celebrate the accolades that I have since received over the years.”
In the beginning of her career, Mbali did not think she was good enough.
“Firstly, overcoming the imposter syndrome, feeling inadequate and seeing others succeeding faster than me was a challenge,” she says.
“I needed to remind myself that they chose me, for what I can offer. You need to quickly get over the comparison game, and focus on your value, because you rob yourself of precious time that you cannot retrieve,” she says.
“When you’re invited to sit at the table, know that someone sees your worth. Secondly, being taken seriously as a woman and feeling as though you constantly have to prove your knowledge for the game, you don't owe anyone anything. Thirdly, I have experienced women pulling other women down, and that in itself was heartbreaking to witness. I believe the table is big enough for all of us to sit on, if not, get yourself an adjoining table and extend it for others.”
Her advice to women wanting t get into the world of sport is to believe in their dream.
“You must always know your 'Why' because it will forever centre you and help you maintain your authenticity. A person should always strive to be a servant of their craft. I would advise someone to pursue sports if it’s a passion, and not to pursue it to just add numbers. Don’t be afraid to start from the bottom, that’s usually the best perspective you could have, and it will give you a greater appreciate of the handwork.”
Mbali’s future goals are to help develop young sportsmen and women.
“I have often vocalised my deep love for development and grassroots sports, as I believe if the foundation is correct, whatever you build on it, will wither the storms,” she says.
“I also have a crazy drive and tenacity, that I believe will expand my career to international opportunities. My goal is to operate on the global stage and learn from different sports professionals, that will aid in shifting my mindset beyond the African continent. 2022 will see me on more and bigger productions with different sporting codes. I love women in sports as well, and I have always loved to tell stories of athletes, and thus reviving my sports blog and telling those important women stories is central to me, and definitely on the cards for this year."
