By Lucie Kazadi.
In a powerful Mandela Month call to get young people moving, connected, and inspired, the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund brought youth together for a vibrant Sports Development Clinic Festival at Shapa Soweto under the theme, ‘Get off the phone, Get on the court.’
The youth-led sports day used basketball, wellness activities, indigenous games, a community walk, and mentorship conversations to promote active living, positive choices, and safer community spaces for young people at a time when many communities are grappling with substance abuse, declining participation in organised sport, and limited access to recreational opportunities.
The festival forms part of the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund Legacy Academy’s broader Youth Leadership Programme, which equips young people with leadership skills and encourages them to become active changemakers in their communities.
Inspired by Nelson Mandela’s belief in the transformative power of sport, the initiative sought to revive township sport while creating safe and empowering spaces for young people.
Speaking at the event, Dr Linda Ncube-Nkomo, Chief Executive Officer of the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund, said the initiative reflected the Fund’s long-standing commitment to youth development and community upliftment. “Madiba believed deeply in the power of sport to unite, inspire, and restore hope. Today’s event is about much more than physical activity. It is about creating opportunities for young people to reconnect with community, build confidence, develop leadership skills, and make positive life choices. We are proud to see young leaders taking ownership of solutions within their own communities.”
As part of the event, NBA Africa hosted a basketball clinic for 45 boys and girls ages 12 to 18. “Basketball and sport in general have the power to inspire young people and open doors far beyond the court,” said Head of NBA South Africa Zeph Masote. “Through events like this, we are creating opportunities for young people to dream bigger, stay active, and build meaningful connections within their communities.”
The event also highlighted the growing concern around declining participation in organised sport, limited access to safe recreational spaces, and increasing exposure of young people to drugs and substance abuse.
By creating accessible, community-driven sporting activities, the initiative aimed to encourage healthier lifestyles while strengthening mentorship and social support systems for young people.
The festival further served as a platform to mobilise broader support from the sports sector, private sector, and community organisations to invest in sustainable township sports ecosystems and youth-led development programmes.
Throughout the day, young people also participated in activities designed not only to encourage physical wellness but also to strengthen social connection, teamwork, resilience and leadership.