CEO shares the vision for Curro Holdings and Curro Halala Cup
The storm has subsided following the conclusion of the Curro Halala Cup on Sunday, 10 August, when Northern Academy became the winners of the inaugural competition at HeronBridge College, in Fourways, Johannesburg.
During the Curro Halala Cup, SuperSport Schools Plus conducted an exclusive interview with Cobus Loubser, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Curro Holdings.
It was a privilege to host the finals of the Curro Halala Cup over four days at HeronBridge College, he said.
Loubser was thrilled with the success of the event and characterised the competition as a magnificent enhancement to the football calendar and as a tradition that will go from strength to strength.
Curro Holdings manages a substantial 189 schools and 81 campuses throughout South Africa, Botswana, and Namibia. “I do not run Curro. Rather, I strive to keep pace with Curro,” Loubser reckoned.
Hosting a nationwide competition like the Curro Halala Cup, which included many of the schools he oversees, was a challenge, he said, because people are unfamiliar with the event and its processes. He emphasised the importance of articulating the vision and effectively communicating the concept to the audience in order to gain their support.
Curro, though, has a proven track record in organising large events, especially in athletics, which has established trust from the public.
For the inaugural Curro Halala Cup, Loubser said teams were invited to participate in the event based on their previous performances and their knowledge of the school leagues and results in recent years. In total, 64 leading teams from eight provinces participated in the event.
The opening round Cup kicked off in April, with round two following in May. From there, 16 teams advanced to the national final at HeronBridge College, which was played from 7 to 10 August.
Loubser felt the turnout was impressive, with schools relishing the opportunity to engage in highly competitive football matches on HeronBridge’s high-quality facilities.
Looking ahead, he said the competition could be expanded to as many as 120 teams. Discussions about that would take place in the future.
Referencing the importance of sport, and of football, in particular, Loubser said: “I believe education is a multifaceted endeavour. You know, there is more to it. When we discuss the development of young leaders and professionals, they must possess the ability to communicate, be creative, and engage effectively with others.
“Sport is an incredible opportunity to nurture discipline, nurture resilience, communication, and the attributes of hard work and planning. So, from our perspective, we run a holistic curriculum. It’s important for us that kids do well academically.”
Loubser said Curro is very confident in its ability to facilitate good opportunities, including national-scale events, such as the Curro Halala Cup, while also encouraging learners to work diligently, to persevere, and to forge friendships.
South Africans, he said, have a deep passion for sports, which constitutes a significant aspect of the country’s social fabric.
“We aim to leverage this passion to create opportunities for learners.
“While many of these young individuals may aspire to become professional athletes, the majority will eventually transition into the working world and citizenship. Engaging socially with others is immensely powerful, particularly when fostered within a sporting environment on the field.
Reflecting on the first edition of the Curro Halala Cup, Loubser said, for him, the most unforgettable moments of the competition occurred on the morning of Thursday, 7 August, when the teams arrived. They were singing, walking, and dancing together, showcasing camaraderie, which shone a bright, favourable spotlight on the richness of football culture in South Africa.
“I’m just very proud that we can somehow contribute to that,” he concluded.
