Nedbank and Orlando Pirates champion sports development in Gauteng

In a landmark event celebrating sports development and community empowerment, Nedbank, in partnership with Orlando Pirates Football Club and The Sports Trust, has handed over a new multipurpose sports court to Job Rathebe Junior Secondary School in Orlando East, Soweto. This initiative marks a continued commitment to nurturing the future of sports in South Africa and empowering young athletes.

The multipurpose sports court, designed to accommodate different sports such as soccer, netball, basketball, volleyball and tennis, is the second facility of its kind to be built by Nedbank and The Sports Trust in the area. Last year, Lofentse Girls High School – also in Orlando East – became the first all-girls school to receive such a court, reinforcing a commitment shared by all partners to develop sports across the gender spectrum and foster a healthy, active lifestyle among youth in Soweto.

This handover is part of the 2023/2024 Nedbank Cup season prize. Orlando Pirates – the tournament champions – opted to contribute to their community by choosing Job Rathebe Junior Secondary School as the recipient of the court. The court will not only be serving the school’s 762 learners, but also be accessible to the wider community and neighbouring schools, promoting inclusivity and active participation across the community of Soweto.

Tebogo Motsepe, Executive Head of Marketing Strategy at Nedbank, states: 'We believe in the transformative power of sports to unite communities and nurture young talent. The multipurpose sports court, which was handed over to the school, embodies the ethos of the Nedbank Cup, Ke Yona Ya Rona – the one that belongs to us all – and is testament to our belief that fans and communities should derive a tangible benefit from their favourite teams in the Nedbank Cup. This new multipurpose sports court symbolises our continued commitment to supporting youth sports development – creating opportunities and fostering a brighter future for our communities.'

Mr Sipho Ndlovu, Principal of Job Rathebe Junior Secondary School, expressed his gratitude, saying: 'This court is more than just a sports facility – it is a beacon of hope for our students and the community. We are grateful to Nedbank, Orlando Pirates, and The Sports Trust for investing in our children’s future. This initiative will undoubtedly inspire and empower our learners to achieve their dreams.'

The handover event was also attended by Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie who commented: 'Grassroots sports development is important for the growth of our nation. Initiatives like these by Nedbank and Orlando Pirates demonstrate the positive impact of public-private partnerships in driving social change. This court will not only help develop the next generation of sports talent, but also promote social cohesion and community wellness.'

'As we celebrate 30 years of enhancing education through sport, we are proud to partner with Nedbank to bring these world-class facilities to communities,' says Anita Mathews, Executive Director of the The Sports Trust. This facility has a 20-year lifespan, is ecofriendly, provides lateral forgiveness on the joints, has zero waste and needs little maintenance. It will create a sporting hub for this community to enjoy.

This initiative forms part of Nedbank's broader commitment to community development through its Sports Affinity programme. Over R41 million has been raised to fund sports infrastructure and initiatives in the 30 years of the Sports Affinity's existence. The programme has successfully built 9 multipurpose courts across South Africa, has empowered under-resourced communities, and has created opportunities for aspiring athletes.

With each sports court handover Nedbank continues to build a legacy for youth sports development in South Africa – ensuring that the dreams of young athletes can flourish through dedicated spaces for training, competition and growth.