South Africa’s number one ranked fencer in the women’s sabre category is ready for her debut on the international stage when she travels to an Olympic qualifier in Cairo, Egypt.

Nomvula Mbatha, 21, from the Soweto fencing club, is the 2019 South African senior women’s sabre fencing champion and the country’s top-ranked fencer.

Mbatha recently secured the funding needed after Vodacom embraced the talented young fencer to assist her in securing the finances needed to attend the qualifier.

This comes after it was reported that she was unable to attend an Olympic qualifier due to a lack of funding.

“This is not a sponsorship. This is empowerment. This is about providing opportunity and uplifting women in our communities.”

Vodacom’s head of sponsorship Michelle van Eyden

Mbatha will now be able to show what she’s got during the qualifier in Cairo in April.

Vodacom will pay for her trip to Egypt, coaching sessions to help prepare her for the qualifier and new kit.