Give to Gain: How One Opportunity Created Another — The Broadcast Journeys of Itumeleng Banda and Yvette Mhlauli

At SuperSport Schools, development is not only reserved for the athletes on the field, but it also lives behind the microphone, in the studio, and in the stories of young broadcasters finding their voices. This International Women’s Day, as part of the Give to Gain campaign, we celebrate a powerful example of how one woman’s growth can create space for another to rise.

The journeys of Itumeleng Banda and Yvette Mhlauli are deeply connected, a story of opportunity, courage, and the quiet power of paving the way.

For Itumeleng Banda, the beginning came long before she ever stepped in front of a camera.
“It really is true when they say, your reputation is your résumé when you’re not in the room,” she reflects.

In 2022, during the St Stithians Sports Festival, a recommendation from broadcaster Philasande Sixaba opened a door she hadn’t expected. Despite not coming from a rugby background and despite the nerves, she said yes. That decision would change everything.

What followed was a journey defined by growth. From covering mountain biking and multiple sporting codes to discovering her passion for football at the Engen Champ of Champs, Itumeleng embraced every opportunity placed before her. Working on the Gauteng Development League further sharpened her craft, immersing her in the teamwork, discipline, and behind-the-scenes collaboration that bring live sport to life.

SuperSport Schools became more than a platform; it became a launchpad.

Balancing roles at SABC while continuing her Schools journey, Itumeleng steadily built her confidence and presence as a broadcaster. Then, in 2025, a moment she thought was simply a guest appearance turned into an unexpected audition when she hosted the DStv Diski Challenge clash between Kaizer Chiefs and AmaZulu. That opportunity ultimately propelled her onto the SuperSport International stage…a dream once thought unattainable.

But perhaps the most meaningful part of her journey lies in what came next.

Recognising SuperSport Schools as a development space, much like the environment young athletes use to grow before stepping onto bigger stages, Itumeleng understood that progression also means making room for others.

And that space was soon filled by a new voice.

Enter Yvette Mhlauli.

Known to many as Flozza Bhozza, Yvette’s rise began through the nationally televised SuperSport MVP Talent Search, where her authenticity, passion, and natural storytelling ability saw her finish in the Top 3. Already a radio broadcaster at YFM and host of The Lunch League, she had been steadily blending sport into her broadcasting identity, discovering a deep love not just for watching sport, but for telling its stories.

Raised in Alberton with roots in Bizana and Umzimkhulu, Yvette’s sporting journey started with netball, touch rugby, and cricket-filled family weekends, while football became a lifelong passion shaped by Soweto Derby traditions and household rivalries.

When she stepped into the role of hostess for Football on 216, she wasn’t just joining a show, she was continuing a legacy built through opportunity and trust.

In many ways, her arrival reflects the essence of Give to Gain.

Itumeleng’s growth created momentum. Her willingness to embrace challenges opened pathways. And by stepping forward into new spaces, she unknowingly created room for Yvette to step in and have her own time to shine.

Today, Yvette carries that opportunity forward with a clear vision: to become a respected and credible sports broadcaster while inspiring other young women to see themselves represented in sports media.

Together, their stories remind us that success is rarely a solo journey. Progress happens when knowledge is shared, doors are opened, and opportunities are passed forward.

This International Women’s Day, SuperSport Schools celebrates not just two broadcasters, but a cycle of empowerment, where giving opportunities leads to collective growth.

Because when one woman rises and reaches back to lift another, everyone gains.