Grannies gear up for Big Match, promoting resilience and women’s empowerment

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Durban Grannies Football Club is in high spirits in Cape Town, soaking up the tournament energy after a strong start.

With their big game coming up on Friday, October 10, the team is eager to share inspiring stories of resilience, community impact, and women’s empowerment, supported by the MAI Institute’s “100 Women Project.”

 As the country continues to honour the power of women beyond August’s Women’s Month, the Muholi Art Institute (MAI) proudly steps onto the pitch to back the legendary Durban Grannies Football Club, affectionately known as the Durban Grannies, as they head into a groundbreaking interprovincial soccer tournament.

In a bold move to amplify women’s voices in sport, MAI is sponsoring the team’s travel costs, profiling their inspiring journey through professional documentation, and featuring the squad in its upcoming 100 Women Project, a landmark initiative celebrating trailblazing South African women across disciplines.

These fierce grannies, aged 60 and above, hail from Durban and Pietermaritzburg senior citizens’ clubs, where they’ve forged sisterhood through football and community service.

On and off the field, they are unstoppable: headlining curtain-raiser matches at youth tournaments, hosting inclusive friendlies for retirees, uniting communities on Women’s Day and Heritage Day, and volunteering at Sunday schools and youth programmes.

Grannies embody resilience

Comprising professionals who have turned into athletes, educators, nurses, and even photographers, such as team member Lizzy Muholi, the Grannies embody resilience, talent, and an unyielding spirit.

As reigning champions, they now prepare to represent KwaZulu-Natal against powerhouse clubs from Limpopo, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, and the Western Cape in a tournament that unites provinces through the beautiful game.

 “It’s about time we rally behind women in South African sport with the same fervour we bring to every other arena,” said Zanele Muholi, Founder of MAI and acclaimed visual activist.

“I applaud these incredible women for proving what we’re truly capable of, breaking barriers, building communities, and scoring victories that echo far beyond the pitch. At MAI, we celebrate women 24/7, 365 days a year.

“By supporting their travel, sharing their stories, and featuring them in our 100 Women Project, we’re not just supporting a team; we’re fuelling a movement for visibility, empowerment, and joy in every woman’s journey.”

 Adding her lens to the legacy, player and official team photographer Lizzy Muholi has been capturing the squad’s grit and grace in intimate behind-the-scenes shots.

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She added that, as both a teammate and a documentarian, she has ever seen firsthand how these gogos turn every challenge into a highlight reel.

“From training under the KZN sun to volunteering in our communities, their energy is contagious. This Cape Town adventure isn’t just about goals; it’s about showing the world that women like us keep the ball rolling, no matter the score. I’m honoured to freeze these moments in time and share them through MAI’s lens,” she explained.