By Meshack Khotha
in Wattville at a venue still to be confirmed.The new development league, which is a communitybased sports development organisation, will be operating in Region D, Ekurhuleni East. It will be established with the purpose of developing disciplined, loyalty and goal-driven young girls in the game of netball, while also promoting education, healthy lifestyle and positive social values. This was revealed by Sibusiso “Smega” Mazibuko, director and founder of the new league, in a snap interview with Ekurhuleni News. This was shortly after taking promising netball players from Ephes Mamkile Secondary School through a training session during extracurricular hours in Wattville on
Monday.
The league provides a safe, structured and supportive environment for young generations from previously disadvantaged community in Wattvile, including informal settlements, who are passionate about netball but may lack access to proper resources. “Our programme focuses on nurturing talent at a tender age while instilling values such as teamwork, discipline, accountability, leadership and perseverance.”Through netball, we aim to empower young participants from grassroots level to become responsible members of society and positive role models within the communities of Ekurhuleni,” said an optimistic Mazibuko, who is also the chairman of Smega Netball Club at Kangaroo Section, Wattville.
The league currency consists of five divisions – Under-11, Under-13, Under-15, Under-17 and Under18 with a total of 15 teams with an approximately 300 registered players drawn from the surrounding communities of Wattville and greater Ekurhuleni East.These players come from diverse backgrounds and many of whom face social and economic challenges. Participation in the league offers them constructive alternatives to negative influences such as substance, crime and dropout. Beyond sport, the league plays a vital role in community development. It brings together parents, coaches, volunteers, schools and local leaders to work towards a shared goal of youth development.”Match days serves as community events to promote unity, social cohesion and positive engagements among residents.
The league also encourages players to prioritize their education and maintain good academic standing alongside their sporting commitments.
“The league is in the process of strengthening partnership with the Ekurhuleni Netball Association and affiliated portfolio associations from Wattvile, Daveyton, Tsakane, Villa Lisa, Kingsway and Windmill Park. “These partnership aim to ensure professionalism, compliance with sporting standards and access to development pathways for talented players. In the long term the league envisions expanding its
footprint to host teams from across Gauteng,” he added Pic: Coach Sibusiso “Smega” Mazibuko, lying on the ground, poses with her team, Smega Netball Club Under-15 players.
