Gcobani Bobo and wife’s doccie on Aseza Hele shines light on women’s sport

Shining a light on women’s sport by putting it into sharp focus through documentary storytelling is an ambition of former Springbok centre Gcobani Bobo and his wife Simmonae that will hopefully soon get the red carpet treatment.

Their documentary ASEZA is a 56-minute feature on the life of Springbok women’s player Aseza Hele, who has taken tremendous strides in the sport over the past year.

Bobo explained the energy to propel women’s sport has not been forthcoming and that he and his wife decided to take matters into their own hands by starting a production company @onaandgrace in honour of their daughter.

“We had to ask ourselves ‘what if our daughter wants to be a professional athlete?’. How is it going to happen? What is going to be her pipeline or pathway? If she has similar dreams to what I had, what opportunities are available for her to succeed?”

It’s not as if South Africans have not warmed to women’s sport in larger numbers over the last while. The levers that hold access to funding and opportunity, however, are still largely held in the grip of men.

“It really does pose the uncomfortable question — is women’s sport lip service, is it something that is taken seriously? Do we see a women’s role primarily in the kitchen and our women athletes as amateurs?

“We are lucky that we live in a country where we are very competitive in sport. Everyone got excited when Banyana Banyana and national women’s cricket team did well but no-one knew who they were. We seek to tell those stories.”

Bobo explained what drew them to Hele, who has earned the moniker “Blommie” for her ability to brighten up a room. “Aseza wrote her story,” insisted Bobo. “We were lucky that we chose her. From almost missing the World Cup to becoming a star in the tournament. She also got the validation by being sighed by Harlequins.

“When I addressed the team before we started shooting I told them how important it is to have heroines in this country, and the world. The circumstances under which women have to try to achieve success requires things that men don’t even think about.

“You may train for three years to go to the Olympics then you fall pregnant. Men don’t face those questions.”

Bobo also used an example from his own life. “My dad wasn’t the one who cut my oranges when I was playing. It was my mom. Mothers have always supported their kids and it is important for them to see their daughters do the things men do.”

Sadly, though, the documentary will not be seen by Hele's mom, who passed away in December.

Clawing back the historical injustice women’s sport has suffered will take time. Bobo made the point that the national rugby team became the Springboks in 1906 and that it took almost 100 years for the national women's team to come into being.

“It isn’t just about recognition but the chance to inspire someone else.”

ASEZA, which was self-funded but saw the light of day thanks to the help of others in the film industry, will premiere at the Joburg Film Festival in Sandton on March 1.