Kaizer Chiefs and Nedbank Deliver Sporting Lifeline in Kwa-Thema
The champions of the Nedbank Cup have left more than silverware behind. Kaizer Chiefs, in partnership with Nedbank and The Sports Trust, have handed over a brand-new multipurpose sports court to Phulong Secondary School in Kwa-Thema, Springs — the first of its kind in the township.
The handover marks the 10th facility delivered through the Nedbank Cup community upliftment programme, a legacy project that ensures football glory translates into real impact for local communities.
Chiefs used their 2024/25 Nedbank Cup winners’ privilege to nominate Phulong Secondary as the beneficiary, rewarding the school’s dedication to sport and learning.
“This court is incredibly important for our learners’ future, and it will never be forgotten,” said Principal Jabulani Nyoni. “We sincerely thank Nedbank, Kaizer Chiefs, and The Sports Trust for investing in our children’s future. This will inspire them to dream bigger — in class and on the field.”
A Game-Changer for Kwa-Thema
The eco-friendly court will serve 1,503 learners at Phulong and surrounding schools, offering facilities for five sporting codes — football, netball, basketball, volleyball, and tennis. It’s a long-term investment, designed to last 20 years, and brings a safe space to an area hungry for opportunities.
Nedbank’s Group Executive for Marketing, Khensani Nobanda, tied the initiative to the ethos of the competition itself:
“The Nedbank Cup is Ke Yona Ya Rona — it belongs to all of us. This court is a living reminder that sport can unite, uplift, and open doors.”
More Than a Trophy
Kaizer Chiefs Commercial Director Jessica Motaung called the handover a “legacy win” for the club and community.
“Lifting the Nedbank Cup is one thing — but leaving behind a facility that can unlock young people’s potential for decades is far more rewarding.”
Deputy Minister of Sport, Peace Mabe, echoed the sentiment, saying the court will shape character as much as it will nurture talent.
The event also saw soccer kit donations to five schools and five community football clubs, including Kwa-Thema Disability FC, ensuring the impact reached beyond the schoolyard.
Building Tomorrow’s Champions
For Nedbank and The Sports Trust, this is part of a 30-year mission that has already raised R46 million for grassroots sports. Trustee Mervin Green summed it up:
“These courts aren’t just concrete and paint. They are spaces of empowerment and unity, where tomorrow’s champions will be born.”
Kwa-Thema now has a new beating heart for sport — and proof that when football wins, communities should win too.
🏆 Legacy Courts Built So Far
Through the Nedbank Cup Community Upliftment Programme
- 📍 Soweto, Gauteng
- 📍 Thohoyandou, Limpopo
- 📍 Mdantsane, Eastern Cape
- 📍 Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal
- 📍 Giyani, Limpopo
- 📍 Khayelitsha, Western Cape
- 📍 Polokwane, Limpopo
- 📍 Kimberley, Northern Cape
- 📍 Bloemfontein, Free State
- 📍 Kwa-Thema, Gauteng (newest)
