Kass Naidoo

An award-winning sports journalist who defied the odds, Kass Naidoo achieved her childhood dream of becoming South Africa’s first female cricket commentator at the age of 27.

Kass’ foray into sports media started two years before that, in March 2003, when she landed the plum role of anchoring SABC Sport’s coverage of the ICC Cricket World Cup held in South Africa. A few months later, during the Boxing Day test in 2003 between South Africa and West Indies, Kass made her radio cricket commentary debut on Radio 2000, which strengthened her desire to strive for her goal of becoming a television cricket commentator.  She also hosted the popula daily sports show, Gameplan, on SAFM until 2006. 

In December 2004, she began hosting the prestigious cricket post match presentations; the first woman in the world to be given this opportunity in international cricket. Then, in October 2005, Kass achieved her dream of becoming a television cricket commentator during the One Day home series between New Zealand and South Africa. She went on to commentate on series also featuring Australia, India, and Pakistan.

Her international commentary debut came at the 2006 Hong Kong Cricket Sixes, at the legendary Kowloon Cricket club, where South Africa clinched the coveted title. In August 2006, Kass was appointed to the International Cricket Council’s voting academy to choose the International Women’s Cricketer of the Year, and was again invited to choose the 2007 Award recipient.  In September 2007, Kass co-hosted the International Cricket Council Awards with top ESPN-Star cricket anchor, Harsha Bhogle; the first South African to be given this honour.

In 2008, after five seasons in cricket broadcasting, and having made her mark internationally in this traditionally male dominated industry, Kass decided to take a break from her TV commitments.  Kass then joined Cricket South Africa (CSA) as Commercial and Corporate Relations manager. Her role, to shape and promote the brands of CSA and the Proteas, saw Kass work across Brand, Marketing, Events, Communications and Social Media, as she and her team drove CSA’s vision of making cricket a truly national sport of winners.  Kass resigned from this position in 2012, and plans to spend more time on "gsport for Girls!", an online initiative which she launched in 2006 to raise the profile of SA women in sport, showcasing vibrant South African women as role models.  The Gsport Awards annually recognises outstanding women in sport. 

Kass as MC

Kass has carried her natural and confident style into her role as a Master of Ceremonies, and has had great success hosting top sport and business events, including: 

Sport:

• ABSA SA Rugby  Player of the Year Awards Banquet
• Standard Bank Natural Born Hitters' Breakfast
• Mutual & Federal SA Cricket Awards
• Standard Bank Tribute to Women in Cricket Lunch
• MTN Cricket Sponsorship Launch
• ABSA SA Rugby Awards Banquet 
• Desmond Tutu Diversity Trust Dinner
• Women’s Cricket World Cup

Business:

• Vodacom Journalist of the Year Awards
• International Cricket Council Annual Awards
• SPAR 45th Anniversary Gala Dinner
• Mercedes Trophy Finals
• PetroSA Fischer-Tropsch Launch
• ACSA Feather Awards
• SAB Suppliers Banquet
• FNB Innovators Awards