[Submitted via press release]
Two of the most successful tennis icons the world has ever seen - Venus and Serena Williams - are heading to South Africa for an exhibition match at Johannesburg’s Ellis Park Arena to be screened live on SABC3 on Sunday, November 4, from 13:30.
Says Risuna Mayimele, Marketing Manager from SABC 3: "We are privileged as the national broadcaster, to be able to bring such a landmark occasion to the country. Our viewers will be able to witness history in the making as the Williams’ Sisters playing for the first time on South African soil".
The sisters will be in South Africa to launch Breaking the Mould - an annual Women’s Empowerment Platform created by Octagon Marketing PTY Ltd (Octagon).
The campaign seeks to introduce South African women to local and international icons who have achieved success in their various fields. Each year, the national icons will be involved in teaching and mentoring young women in schools and universities for three months in a build up to the global icons arriving in South Africa.
The global icons for 2012 are the Williams Sisters, who will arrive in November and take part in an Exhibition Match, a Gala Dinner and a Development Tennis Clinic aimed at inspiring, acknowledging and rewarding South African women who have risen above their own set of challenges and adversities to succeed.
Serena claimed the US Open title in September to go with victories earlier in the year at Wimbledon and in the Olympics. During her career, she has won 15 Grand Slam singles titles, 13 doubles titles with Venus and two mixed doubles titles and is recognised as one of the all-time greats of the women’s game. Older sister Venus has won seven Grand Slam singles titles and two mixed doubles titles. Her achievements include five singles titles at Wimbledon.
This is the first time the Williams sisters will meet each other in competition on African soil.