Sport Changing Our World One Goal at a Time

Tata Madiba’s statement rings so true in our communities bordering Kariega Game Reserve, with our community sport programmes and especially for 11 boys we nicknamed the Denmark boys.

Scouts attended various tournaments in South Africa (Gqeberha, Jeffery’s Bay, East London, Mthahatha, Pretoria and Addo) where 11 of our Kariega Foundation Ubuntu League soccer boys were selected to represent South Africa. This prestigious international youth tournament was held in Denmark, in July 2025. There were approximately 1115 teams from 37 different countries competing in soccer from U12 to U19.

This is a remarkable achievement, as most of these kids grew up in under-resourced communities, playing soccer on dusty, uneven fields with little access to mainstream sporting networks. This opportunity represents more than sport, it is a dream realised and a future re-imagined.

Before departure, these kids were upskilled and prepared for international travel and goal setting. On the field they were extremely impressive, making it to the quarterfinals. An exceptional feat, and we could not be prouder.

Our afterschool sport programmes are a safe space for kids to grow, learn and live life to the fullest. The Ubuntu Cup encourages participation, skills development and sportsmanship with a focus on the values of respect, human dignity, compassion and unity.
Every child is celebrated and this year we have been privileged enough to gift each of the 400 Ubuntu players with a pair of soccer boots or netball tekkies. Some of these kids have never owned their own shoes or have only owned hand me down worn-out shoes.

Since January, our Ubuntu league has grown in Ekupumleni and Marselle we are in the process of expanding to two additional communities, Alexandria and Klipfontein.

The Eastern Cape has often been over-looked when it comes to sporting talent and in 2025 our players were chosen to play regionally as well as internationally.

Two netball players from our programme have been selected for the 2025 Sarah Baartman Under-19 team, where they competed in the Telkom Junior National Netball Championships (TNC) in Cape Town. Our netball players shone brightly with 2 players earning national colours and 4 players received district colours. One of our players, Mandilakhe, have gone even further and has been chosen as the scorer for the Sarah Baartman Under-23 team in KwaZulu Natal.

In Tennis 3 of our players travelled to Bloemfontein to represent Eastern Cape Tennis team for an Interprovincial Tournament. Our tennis players are making waves as 5 players have earned provincial colours and 9 players received regional colours.

Meaningful partnerships

We are currently in discussion with the Ndlambe Soccer and Netball Associations to have the Kariega Foundation's Ubuntu Cup/League formally recognised as the official Ndlambe Youth Development League. This would align our efforts with the South African Football Association (SAFA) and Netball South Africa, significantly expanding opportunities for our youth to access structured development pathways and national exposure.

Flourishing Leadership

To create stepping stones for thriving players, a strong foundation must be built, and that begins with our coaches. These coaches are skilled to coach kids to be both mentally and physically ready for any game or any challenge life throws their way. Not only are our coaches ready for kids that form part of the Kariega Foundation Sport Programmes, but have shone in other areas as well. Noma (Community Manager and Head of the Netball Programme) has been appointed as the official coach of the 2025 Sarah Baartman Under-19 team and Olwethu (Youth Development Practitioner) has been selected to play in male netball team and as the manager of the senior ladies team for 2025. This affirms that the programme creates real pathways for success, not just for players but also for coaches and support staff.

Our coaches are constantly being upskilled to improve how coaching takes place as well as how to monitor students, promoting success and growth. Players are given the opportunity to participate in dynamic coaching clinics, where they gained new technical and tactical skills to apply in their games.

Community Connection

Our community sport kids often come from underprivileged families, where sport provides a platform to grow together and support one another. Parents have noticed the change in their kids, with some becoming inspired to be involved in making a difference and assisting with the sport session, in turn giving back to their community.

As Billie Jean King stated, "Sport teaches you character, it teaches you to play by the rules, it teaches you to know what it feels like to win and lose - it teaches you about life." Our community has learned to apply this to every aspect of life and are reaching dreams, they once never believed could come true.

Be part of the change

If you are inspired to make a difference or help our community grow and thrive, visit https://kariegafoundation.com to read more about our ongoing projects or to donate now and change a life.