SuperSport Schools Plus

Motsepe Foundation and Sanlam celebrate 20 years of Kay Motsepe Schools Championship

By Siya Pongco , in Football | Featured Football | News , at 2024-08-01 Tags:

Dr Motsepe-Moloi, David Mufamadi of Benny's Care Sports Academy, Hlompho Kekana and SA Football Association President Dr Danny Jordaan at the launch of the Kay Motsepe Schools Championship.
Dr Precious Motsepe-Moloi, David Mufamadi of Benny’s Care Sports Academy, Hlompho Kekana and SA Football Association President Dr Danny Jordaan at the launch of the Kay Motsepe Schools Championship.

The Motsepe Foundation, in partnership with Sanlam, is entering its 20th year of partnership as the backers of the Kay Motsepe Schools Championship and the massive event continues to grow.

The competition is the biggest of its kind in South Africa with over 11 000 schools participating annually and prize money totalling R11 750 000.

Speaking at the launch of Kay Motsepe Schools Championship at Sanlam’s offices in Sandton this week, Dr. Precious Moloi-Motsepe, the co-founder of the Motsepe Foundation, said: “When we started, we never saw that it would grow to this level, where more than 11 000 schools would be participating in football, and more and more schools want to be a part of it.”

Moloi-Motsepe said that when the event began the plan was to bring sport to schools and also bring down the level of poverty in the country.

“We did sport at the grassroots level because we realised that a lot of young people do not have opportunities,” she explained.

Moloi-Motsepe said there is a lot of talent in South Africa, but there are relatively few opportunities created for rural communities, villages, and townships.

“We partnered with the Department of Education, and we now have partnerships with Sanlam, as well, and we not only look at prize money for these young people, but we also do things like provide playing kits, transport and food.”

Some high-profile talents have been discovered by the Kay Motsepe Schools Championship, including Percy Tau, a three-time winner of the CAF Champions League – once with Mamelodi Sundowns and twice with Egypt’s Al Ahly.

His former team-mate and Bafana Bafana midfielder, Hlompo Kekana, participated in the very first Kay Motsepe Schools Championship and he was at the launch to show his support. During a decade representing Sundowns, he won six Premier League titles, the CAF Champions League and the CAF Super Cup.

Kekana highlighted the obstacles faced by young boys and girls in townships and rural areas and emphasised the importance of the opportunities created for those children by the event.

He also encouraged other major corporations to increase their investments in schools’ competitions, highlighting the importance of nurturing young talent and providing children with positive outlets.

TV presenter Andile Ncube who served as the host of the launch, was joined in conversation by former Spar Proteas’ netball player, Tshina Mudau, who shared her insights on sport and its impact on the individual and on communal growth.

Sanlam CEO Bongani Madikiza commented: “At Sanlam, our purpose is to empower communities to be financially confident, secure and prosperous.

“Furthermore, we believe in the transformative power of sport. Our partnership with the Motsepe Foundation on these initiatives is testament to our commitment to making a positive impact by helping the youth to develop the necessary skills to set them up for success once they leave the sports field for good.

“Sports, arts, and cultural activities are profound socio-economic catalysts that bring people together and inspire our young people to dream and imagine a bigger life for themselves.”

Dr Patrice Motsepe weighed in: “We are immensely grateful for the unwavering support of our partners and stakeholders who share our vision of empowering the youth and transforming lives through these initiatives.

“Together, we are not only shaping the athletes and musicians of tomorrow, but we are also cultivating leaders who will drive positive change in their communities.”

Siya Pongco
error: Sorry ol' chap, those shenanigans are not permissible.