Williams sisters to launch Breaking the Mould campaign for women in SA

In addition to lending their support to this initiative, the sisters will attend a gala dinner at Montecasino and play an exhibition tennis match at Johannesburg's Ellis Park arena - the first time the sisters will meet each other in competition on African soil.

BTM is a new campaign to honour women who have risen above their own set of challenges and adversities to succeed and inspire. Conceived by Octagon's MD, Qondisa Ngwenya (Q), it aims to promote and sustain a 'Breaking the Mould' culture in South Africa. Over the years, Q has seen how the power of leading female athletes and personalities can inspire and encourage audiences from all lifestyles to achieve great things.

Comprising a number of critical initiatives, BTM will launch the 2012 season with a series of Pop-up Colleges at six universities led by four of South Africa's current leading mould breakers. The other three are Khanyi Dhlomo, MD and founding member of Ndalo Media; Thembi Kunene, chief quality assurance officer, South African Tourism: Tourism Grading Council of South Africa and Jenna Clifford, owner and founder of Jenna Clifford.

Turning dreams into reality

The campaign will culminate in the arrival of the Williams sisters who will attend a coaching clinic in Soweto, a gala dinner and a televised exhibition match. The Williams sisters have signed on to champion 'Breaking the Mould' because they exemplify how determination, passion, hard work and self-belief can turn dreams into reality, despite obstacles that one may face.

"We're extremely excited to be coming to South Africa," says Venus Williams. "After Serena's Gold Medal at the Olympics, her win at Wimbledon and now the US Open too, I look forward to taking my younger sister on in this exhibition tennis match in South Africa."

Serena adds, "We're proud and humbled to have been chosen for the inauguration of this women's empowerment platform and we hope we can help inspire South Africa's young women to break the mould too."

Monies raised from the gala dinner, including memorabilia that will be auctioned on the evening, will be given to Wheelchair Tennis through the SA Sports Trust, the campaign's chosen beneficiary for 2012.

For more, go to www.africabtm.com.