Betway 12th Man Graduates Honored In A Glittering Evening Celebrating Winning Moments

The Betway 12th Man Programme, an initiative aimed at equipping former sports legends with entrepreneurial skills, concluded its second season with a grand graduation ceremony and announced the first highly anticipated Betway Innovation Series winner.

In a glittering graduation ceremony held on Wednesday evening in Johannesburg, Betway in partnership with the 12 icons were joined by various sports industry stakeholders to recognise the remarkable achievements that came from the courageous decision taken by the participants to join the life-changing programme. 

Uniquely designed by the globally acclaimed sports betting brand, the Betway 12^th Man is a bold initiative taken by Betway in a bid to curb the continued plight of unemployment and depression faced by retired athletes in South Africa. 

Over the six-month period, the legends comprising of former athletes across the fields of football, rugby, cricket, netball, mixed-martial arts, boxing and canoeing were exposed to theoretical and practical modules across Marketing, Media, Event Management, Branding and Entrepreneurship by various sport and business industry experts.

While Wednesday marked the conclusion of the programme, the journey continues over the next six months for all 12, following the final module of the programme which was the Betway Innovation Series that saw the participants paired in groups to present a business idea to a panel of judges who will also act as mentors in guiding them to gradually build and scale their business ideas. 

The evening’s highlight was the announcement of the Betway Innovation Series winners who’s business ideas won them a share of the R300 000.00 made available by Betway to start up their businesses.

Betway 12^th Man Innovation Series Winners:

1. Nontle Gwavu – Elite Netball Academy: R110 000.00

To unearth, incubate and nurture young netballers by providing them with high quality coaching, mentorship and competitive opportunities

2. Dino Baggatin & Hekkie Budler: R100 000.00  

Nice Guys Management: A program that teaches Combat Sports for the Youth in underprivileged areas as well as relieve stress & anxiety in the work environment

3. Benson Mhlongo – Sports Legends Live: 

A television show that connects fans with sports legends. 

The panel of judges included (Ashley Kotzin, Khumo Shuenyane and Mark Rowles) who will all remain at the disposal of the participants in their new and exciting chapters of business and entrepreneurship.

“We are immensely proud of all the Betway 12th Man participants. Their journey over the past few months has been nothing short of inspiring thanks to their commitment to the programme. As a brand that is deeply invested in South African sport, such initiatives underscore our passion for sport in its totality, which includes our retired stars who have given so much to the rich history books of South African sport. 

Through such a programme, Betway not only demonstrates its appreciation to them, but aims to guide them in re-inventing themselves for the world of business and entrepreneurship,” said Mark Rowles, Head of Marketing at Betway South Africa. 

Thanking Betway on behalf of all participants, Hekkie Butler said the programme has helped and inspired the entire group in leveraging their strong brands as former athletes into the new and exciting world of business. 

“It has showed me that there is life outside of boxing. I can actually use the skills I learnt through boxing and using in the corporate world and in just helping people that need help and this is through this Betway 12^th Man programme”, said Butler.

“I have learnt how to communicate better. With this project that I am working with Dino (Baggatin) on our pitch, we want to get kids out of the rough areas and teach people self-discipline and defend themselves. It is because of the Betway 12^th Man programme skills that we have learnt that we are able to help our communities”, Butler concluded.

The graduation ceremony was also attended by the Betway 12^th Man season 1 graduates as well as various Betway Brand Ambassadors which included Victor Matfield, Lucas Radebe as well as Simphiwe Dludlu – who have all travelled the journey with the legends as guest speakers and advisors over the last few months.

BETWAY 12^th MAN GRADUATES:

Benson Mhlongo (Football); Benedict Vilakazi(Football); Janine Van Wyk (Football); Maud Khumalo (Football); Ayavuya Myoli (Cricket); Mangaliso Mosehle (Cricket); Hekkie Budler(Boxing); Dino Baggatin (MMA); Morgan Newman (Rugby); Bridgitte Hartley (Canoeing); Nontle Gwavu (Netball); Phumza Maweni(Netball).