Magang will contest for the position of Gender Minority in the FIVB board at the upcoming elective congress to be held in Porto, Portugal from November 15-17. She is the only African candidate in the elections. “I will be representing the world, it is not only Africa. We will oversee how the world of volleyball integrates women and develop strategies that can advance that,” Magang said in an interview. Magang said what motivated her to contest for the position is that women often do not trust or challenge themselves.
“I have always wanted to find myself in a place where I am able to go for something that really challenges me. The skills I have acquired so far and the experience I have garnered, take it to another level. That is exactly what I have done. I could have gone for the same position in the African Volleyball Confederation (CAVB), which is called Gender in Minority but it focuses on Africa. I am already working directly with CAVB,” she said. Magang explained that she needed to explore beyond CAVB because when she sits on the FIVB board, automatically she is on the CAVB board.
She said it means she will be able to appreciate and contribute to what Africa does. “The position comes with a lot of learning. Currently, we do not have a Women’s Commission at FIVB, which is something I believe in. As volleyball, if we want to empower women, bring them to the front and grow the number of women in the coaching department, refereeing department, and administration of volleyball. We need to have a specific commission which looks at women’s issues,” she said.
Magang said the commission will address women in volleyball issues and if that is put in place at the top, it can trickle down. She said at the BVF, it is only the Botswana National Sport Commission that expects them to set up a women's commission. Magang added that there is nothing that comes from the top in terms of volleyball. She said if it were something from the top, it would be compulsory. “The whole world of sport is talking about safeguarding, it is not a requirement for us in volleyball. It is something we should be looking at. We are talking integrity of the entire sport, whether it is the people running the sport, people participating in sport in all forms, or the organisation itself. We have to put measures in place that ensure that we have policies that speak to safeguarding anybody who takes part in volleyball,” Magang said.
She added that should be mandatory even for structures below the FIVB, and she is ready to put her voice into it. Magang said that will be a benefit to the BVF because she will be holding an international position. “I will be speaking to international volleyball and being part of making laws at that level. I hope I will be able to make the team that goes into the Gender Minority group,” Magang said.
