By Sbongile Sokela
On 3 September 2025, Phulong Secondary School and the broader Kwa-Thema community celebrated the arrival of a brand-new state-of-the-art multipurpose sports court, officially unveiled by Kaizer Chiefs in partnership with Nedbank, The Sports Trust, the Premier Soccer League (PSL) and the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture.
The facility was handed over as the tenth of its kind delivered through the Nedbank Cup community upliftment programme. The handover followed Amakhosi’s triumphant 2025 Nedbank Cup campaign, which granted the Club the opportunity to nominate a beneficiary school. Chiefs selected Phulong Secondary not only for its commitment to nurturing young talent but also because the school shares its grounds with Springs Home Sweepers, a women’s football team partnered with the Club to advance the women’s game.
Kaizer Chiefs Sporting Director Kaizer Motaung Jr., together with Marketing and Commercial Director Jessica Motaung, led the delegation at the handover, joined by first-team players Lebo Maboe, Wandile Duba, Given Msimango, Rushwin Dortley and Aden McCarthy.
“This facility is about more than sport, it is about unlocking potential, creating opportunity and strengthening our communities,” said Jessica Motaung. “Our partnership with Springs Home Sweepers made Phulong Secondary an obvious choice, as we want to ensure women’s football also benefits from infrastructure of this quality.”
The new court will serve 1 503 learners at Phulong Secondary while also being open to surrounding schools and the wider Kwa-Thema community. Designed with a 20-year lifespan and eco-friendly features, it accommodates five sporting codes, soccer, netball, basketball, volleyball and tennis.
Deputy Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Peace Mabe praised the initiative, calling it “a step in the right direction for grassroots development.” She added: “Partnerships between government, the private sector and sporting institutions are vital to building stronger, more united communities.”
The collaboration also included donations of soccer kits to five schools, Phulong Secondary, Nkumbulo Secondary, Labani Motlhabi Secondary, Themba Lizakulu Primary and Masimini Primary, as well as support for five local football clubs, including Springs Home Sweepers.
Former Banyana Banyana coach and Home Sweepers owner Joseph Mkhonza expressed gratitude to his former club: “This community has given Chiefs six of its players in the past, so it is fitting that they give back in this way. We truly appreciate their commitment to uplifting Kwa-Thema.”
For Phulong learners the moment was equally inspiring. “We feel grateful because sponsors hardly ever look our way,” said Grade 11 learner Lindokuhle Gumbi. “This will inspire dreams for many people here.”
Through its Sports Affinity programme, Nedbank has invested over R46 million in sports infrastructure and initiatives over the past 30 years. Mervin Green, trustee of The Sports Trust, summed up the day’s significance: “These courts are more than grounds, they are places of unity, empowerment and talent development.”
