Biography
Ria Ledwaba is a South African-born sports personality. She is currently the vice president of the South African Football Association.
The football enthusiast is dominating the space in a male-dominated soccer fraternity. She will be vying for the head of the football association alongside Solly Mohlabeng.
Ledwaba is a source of inspiration to many female soccer lovers. She sees her role as the starting for women in the world of soccer.
Ria Ledwaba  | |
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| Name: | Ria Ledwaba |
| Origin: | Medingen |
| Nationality: | South African |
| Education: | n/a |
| Siblings: | 4 |
| Mother: | Sebotsana Rasebotsa |
| Children: | 2 |
| Foundation: | Ria Ledwaba Foundation |
| Occupation: | Sports personality, businesswoman |
| Net Worth: | R70 million |
Early Life
Ria Ledwaba is from a small village called Medingen situated outside Modjadjiskloof in Limpopo province. Her mother’s name is Sebotsana Rasebotsa, a Limpopo nurse.Â
Although her mother is 102 years, she still loves football and supports the Naturena-based football team Kaizer Chiefs.
Ria is the only girl, has four older brothers, and is the last-born child of her parents. She grew up in a household full of boys. Naturally, she fell in love with the sport and has continued to be passionate about it.
Education
Ria Ledwaba attended schools in South Africa. Although, she has not disclosed her educational background in interviews. However, she has reached statuses that require academic qualifications.
Career
Ria casually became involved in football in Seshego township after a stint as an official of Seshego Naughty Boys. Later, she launched a football club, Ria Stars. Her football club grew and had many achievements to its name.
Part of the success was a prominent feature in the Under-12 national Chappies Little League. Ria Stars got to finals many times and aired on national television.
The football club was later promoted to the National Soccer League.
In 2002, Ledwaba sold Ria Stars to the Premier Soccer League after they offered to buy the team for R 8 million. Although she sold her football team, she plans to a football club again.
Ria was a member of the PSL executive committee and is passionate about the development of South African football. She is the first woman vice-president of the South African Football Association.
Ria Ledwaba is the CEO of Gree Products South Africa. In 2008, she launched the Ifihlile Training Academy. She facilitated the establishment of the first national league for Women.
She was Chairperson of Woman’s Football of the South African Football Association.
Ledwaba was a member of the PSL Board of Governors. Since 2014, she has been the Match Commissioner for the Confederation of African Football. She is the Deputy Chairperson of the Transformation Committee.
In 2013, she joined the National Executive Committee of the South African Football Association.
Personal Life
Ledwaba maintains a youthful look and does not disclose her age. She was once married and had three children, two daughters and a son, with her husband. She is also a grandmother.
Although she loves football, she has never played the sport. She plays basketball instead.
Awards
In 1999, she won the Businesswomen of the year award.
In 2018-2019, she received the Excellence award from the Limpopo Provincial Government.
In 2019, The Gauteng Sports Awards honored her with the lifetime achiever award. She founded her foundation after a bitter experience in the boardroom.
Through the foundation, she wants to fight GBV and support the youth to achieve their sporting-related goals.
Net Worth
Ria Ledwaba has made a fortune from sports and her businesses. She has been in the sports industry for many fruitful years, thereby gaining returns. She has a net worth of R70 million as of June 2022.
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