GK Foundation welcomes Lerato Malekutu to its Board
The Gary Kirsten Foundation is excited to welcome Lerato Malekutu to its Board of Trustees.
Lerato graduated with a BA Journalism Degree from the University of Johannesburg and has carved a successful career in the sports industry first as a journalist and then as Media Manager of the Proteas, a position she held for over 10 years, including 3 ICC Cricket World Cups.
Now working as a PR and Communications consultant for sports organisations and brands such as gsport for Girls, YourMatchKit and Fortis21 Talent Management, she brings a wealth of PR and communications experience to the GK Foundation, as well as intricate knowledge of the cricket landscape in South Africa.
“Being appointed to the Board of the Gary Kirsten Foundation is a momentous occasion for me. I loved working with Gary during his time with the Proteas; our values and outlook on life are similar and I am excited to extend that relationship towards the Foundation’s vision.” Lerato said about her appointment.
“I’ve followed the work and the progress his excellent team has dedicated to the community of Khayelitsha throughout the years and their vision and focus of creating sporting ecosystems for township communities is a cause that resonates with my heart.
Social upliftment and the profiling of women’s sports and athletes is a huge passion of Lerato’s, and GK Foundation aims to grow the women’s game, and township cricket in general, with her help.
“Community outreach was always a passion point for me while working with the Proteas and taking the game to the townships and areas with poor accessibility was an important tool in making the sport one that all South Africans could identify with. I am very passionate about this sport and its ability to act as a vehicle to drive change in communities that faces many daily challenges. I’m looking forward to playing a small role in ensuring cricket excellence in our township communities becomes a norm and not the exception.”
Gary is delighted to continue his working relationship with Lerato, and the GK Foundation team can’t wait to get her involved and get her insights on the work we do.
“ I'm really excited to have Lerato join us on the board of GK Foundation. I know she's going to add great value.” Gary commented.
“I particularly enjoyed working with her in the few years I worked with her with the Proteas. She taught me a lot and I listened to her views which I think are profound in building excellence in sport in our township communities.”
“It was great for me to be able to build a relationship with her and have meaningful conversations around how to take the sport that we love forward in every sector of society in South Africa.”
“She will challenge us in our thinking and she will give us great insight into making these environments of excellence a significant factor and contribution in sport in South Africa.”
This appointment is another step in the Foundation enhancing its impact in Khayelitsha and beyond.
In 2020, the Foundation has developed a township ‘Centre of Cricket Excellence’, including South Africa’s first ever fully artificial cricket oval at Chris Hani Secondary in Makhaza, with construction of a high-performance indoor centre to be completed by the end of the year.
Welcome Lerato, we can’t wait to get started!