CHANGING SOCIETY ONE SCHOOL/WARD AT A TIME

NANANA: The Mike Ntombela Foundation to host sports festivals around Gauteng townships

By  Sports Reporter

The Mike Ntombela Foundation (MNF) is pleased to announce the upcoming One Day One Ward School Sports Festival, a transformative youth development event set to take place on Friday, 1 August 2025 at the Senaoane Swimming Pool Sports Grounds, Soweto.

Participating Schools

– Emaweni Primary School

– Sibongile Primary School

– Phumzile Primary School

– Bafikile Higher Primary School

– Enkanyezini Higher Primary School

– Winnie Mandela Special School

– Phiri Special School

– Senaoane Senior Secondary School

– Sekano Ntoana High School

The festival build-up, MNF will host an official team draw and launch event on 25 July 2025 (venue to be confirmed).

The launch will unveil the participating ward-based school teams and share key details with the public, media, and sponsors.

This inaugural festival aims to empower teenagers through sport and mentorship by tackling pressing social challenges such as:

– Teenage pregnancy

– Substance abuse and alcoholism

– Gender-based violence (GBV)

– Lack of access to positive role models and safe community spaces

The festival will feature soccer and netball tournaments, interactive dialogue sessions, and motivational talks, creating a safe platform for youth in township and under-resourced communities to grow, reflect, and connect with leaders and mentors.

In addition to the sports component, the festival will also include a Physical Education (PE) component, where unemployed graduates will be involved in delivering PE sessions to participating schools. This initiative aims to provide opportunities for unemployed graduates to gain experience and build their skills, while also promoting physical activity and healthy lifestyles among school-going youth.

“We are building better societies one ward at a time, using sport to protect and inspire our youth,” says a representative from the

Mike Ntombela Foundation.

Future Participating Wards

1. Chiawelo Ward 11

2. Dlamini Ward 19

3. Mapetla Ward 16

Media houses, stakeholders, and sports enthusiasts are invited to attend the 25 July launch, and to cover the festival journey as it highlights the power of sport in shaping futures.