Giyani woman uses football to uplift youth
While the football season is on pause, she organises tournaments to keep the youth off the streets and positively engaged.
'There's no better way to keep young people off the streets than by giving them something entertaining to do, and sports is the perfect tool for that,' Ndlovu explained.
According to her, the tournament has become a beacon of hope for many young people who would otherwise be vulnerable to negative influences.
'When they hear that there's soccer somewhere, they all feel compelled to either participate or come to watch,' she said.
Beyond offering young people a positive way to channel their energy, the event breathes life into local enterprises.
Small vendors set up stalls around the grounds, selling refreshments, snacks, and other goods to spectators who flock in from neighbouring villages.
'As a community, this also promotes unity as people from different villages come together and have fun.
There's no better place to meet people and build relationships than at a football game.
'Because that's where everyone gathers with the shared goal of supporting their teams despite any differences they might have,' Ndlovu added.
In a space often dominated by men, Ndlovu stands out as a woman organiser determined to make sports more inclusive and accessible.
She urged the community to rally behind local youth initiatives: 'Let us all come together and support our kids through sports.'
While she had initially planned to host a top sixteen tournament, scheduling constraints prompted her to scale it down.
'Normally, I would have organised a top sixteen tournament but had to opt for a top eight so that we do not clash with the mayor's cup event that is starting next week,' she explained.
However, Ndlovu assured that once the mayor's cup concludes, she will proceed with the larger competition as planned.
With dedicated individuals like Stella Ndlovu at the forefront, football in Gawula is proving to be much more than a game, it is a force for unity, empowerment, and positive change.
Meanwhile, the final match of the day featured Gawula Academy FC taking on Makoxa FC.
After a goalless draw in regulation time, Gawula Academy clinched victory in the penalty shootout with a 5–4 scoreline and walked away with an R5 000 prize, while Makoxa FC received R2 000 for finishing in second place.
At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Citizen
10 hours ago
- The Citizen
Newcastle Mall raises R24K for St. Martin's Village
The Newcastle Mall hosted a vibrant and impactful Golf Day this past Saturday at the Newcastle Golf Club, in support of St. Martin's Village. With a strong turnout and generous support from the community, the event proved to be both an enjoyable and meaningful occasion. Thanks to the combined efforts of organisers, golfers, sponsors, and volunteers, an incredible R24,000 was raised. The funds were officially handed over to St. Martin's Village on Thursday, July 18, and will go a long way in supporting the home's care and outreach to vulnerable children. A standout feature of the day was the generous prize sponsorships that helped elevate the event. Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife sponsored a generous weekend getaway for four, valued at R7,600. Blackrock Casino, in collaboration with Tsogo Sun, contributed a luxury 2-night stay at Suncoast Casino, with VIP Lubes adding petrol vouchers to the package, making it a prize worth R5,000. Shell Petrol Station, located at Newcastle Mall, generously sponsored a full tank of fuel. Neerajh Auto Clinic also sponsored a cash prize for a 'Closest to the Pin' winner, adding excitement and energy to the competition. Of course, these special prizes were part of a broader tapestry of support. Newcastle Mall would like to sincerely thank all our incredible sponsors whose contributions, big or small, made the day such a tremendous success. From prizes and vouchers to refreshments and event support, every contribution played a crucial role in making a difference. Beulah Rajkumar of Newcastle Mall shared: 'A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us for our Newcastle Mall Golf Day in support of St. Martin's Village. Together, we made every shot count! Thank you to all our sponsors, players, and voluntary helpers who contributed to the day's success.' Sponsors who made the day possible included: Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, Tsogo Sun, Blackrock Casino, VIP Lubes, Newcastle Mall Shell Petrol Station, Neerajh Auto Clinic, Kyotech, Cell C, Boston College, Ferrum High School, Amajuba High School, Execuspec, Cash Converters, Fishaways, Debonairs, Steers, Wimpy, Nando's, Mugg & Bean, Pick n Pay, Jenny Internet, Newcastle Advertiser, Yooh Media, Northern Natal Lubricants, Modsigns, MTN, Roman's Pizza, Ocean Basket, Edgars, Sealpro, Estique Beauty Salon, Game X, MMG Toyota, Mama's Sauce, Spur. Katharina Christova of St. Martin's Village also expressed their heartfelt thanks to all involved. 'We to extend our most sincere thanks to the Newcastle Mall and all their sponsors for their amazing efforts in organising this event for St. Martin's. 'Your contribution will help us continue doing what matters most: caring for the children who call our village home. 'Your support reminds us that we are not alone in this journey. Together, we are giving these children not just a roof over their heads, but hope, love, and a chance at a brighter future. Thank you for standing with us, believing in our mission, and making a difference. It takes a village to raise a child and we thank you for being part of ours,' she concluded. Information supplied by Newcastle Mall The news provided to you in this link has been investigated and compiled by the editorial staff of the Newcastle Advertiser, a sold newspaper distributed in the Newcastle area. Please follow us on Youtube and feel free to like, comment, and subscribe. For more local news, visit our webpage, follow us on Facebook and Twitter, and request an add on our WhatsApp (082 874 5550).
IOL News
16 hours ago
- IOL News
R2 billion for Formula 1? Here's why it could be South Africa's smartest investment yet
Dr Nik Eberl is the Founder & Executive Chair: The Future of Jobs Summit™ (Official T20 Side Event) .He will be writing a regular column in Business Report. Image: Supplied When news broke that hosting a Formula 1 Grand Prix in South Africa could cost as much as R2 billion, the headlines focused on the bill. The critics warned of wasteful spending. Parliament debated priorities. But while the accountants saw a liability, I saw something very different: 20 000 jobs waiting to be created and an economy in motion. Yes, R2 billion is a significant investment. But as Singapore discovered when it launched its Grand Prix in 2008, the right event can pay for itself many times over. According to the Singapore Tourism Board, the race generates about S$150 million (R2bn) annually in visitor spending and economic impact. Independent studies put the return on investment at three to five times every dollar spent. Apply those multipliers to South Africa, and you are looking at R6bn to R10bn circulating through our economy — from hotels and restaurants to construction, transport, media, and broadcast rights. And that's before considering the long-term reputational benefits that mega-events create. Because here's the part of the equation that rarely makes it into political soundbites: the jobs don't come from the race itself — they come from the ripple effects that the race sets in motion. More Than a Weekend Take Montreal. When it first hosted a Formula 1 race in 1978, roughly 2 000 people were employed directly for the event. Today, its motorsport sector — spanning events, tourism, suppliers, and services — sustains more than 13 000 jobs annually. These are not weekend positions. They represent a permanent industry cluster built around skills, suppliers, and global demand. Or look at Singapore. When it signed its Formula 1 contract, critics called it frivolous. Today, the Grand Prix remains the city-state's largest annual sporting event, drawing 250 000 visitors a year and boosting Singapore's image far beyond the racetrack. The impact goes beyond the estimated R2bn in annual economic activity; it has repositioned Singapore from a purely financial centre to a dynamic global hub for innovation and entertainment. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading That perception shift is more than PR. As I've learned from interviewing over 500 business and public leaders for my books on leadership and economic development, investment follows inspiration. Talent follows excitement. Innovation follows ambition. Formula 1 sends a message that South Africa is open for high-value industries, not just commodity exports. Counting the Jobs Sceptics ask: where do 20 000 jobs come from? The answer lies in the combined layers of direct, indirect, and induced employment. Direct roles would include 2 000 track marshals, safety crews, and technical staff, along with 3 000 jobs in hospitality — from hotels to restaurants to transport operators. Preparing Kyalami for Grade 1 certification (it currently holds Grade 2 status) would generate another 5 000 construction and infrastructure jobs. But those are just the immediate roles. The real economic spark comes from the opportunities created once the global spotlight turns to South Africa. Every international broadcast markets our capacity to host at the highest level. Every tourist becomes a brand ambassador. Every executive in the grandstands sees a nation capable of delivering excellence. This is precisely what happened after the 2010 FIFA World Cup™. Leisure tourism jumped by 31% year on year following the tournament. Conference bookings doubled in the years that followed, particularly in Cape Town and Durban. And foreign investors — buoyed by renewed confidence in South Africa's capabilities — increased their commitments the following year. The legacy wasn't just in stadiums; it was in belief. Beyond the Race Track With the right vision, Formula 1 can catalyse more than temporary employment. It can become a platform for skill development and global integration. Picture a young engineer in Durban trained in race technology, later hired by international motorsport suppliers. Imagine graduates in Soweto coding for European tech firms because South Africa is viewed as an innovation-friendly hub. Envision township-based catering companies servicing international teams, gaining the credibility to expand globally. These outcomes don't happen automatically. They require alignment — between the government, business, and civil society — to ensure that investment in mega-events translates into long-term capacity. But with the right structures in place, the pay-off can be immense. Can We Afford Not To? Kyalami is not yet ready for Formula 1. It needs safety upgrades, pit facilities, and media infrastructure to achieve Grade 1 certification. The projected R2bn cost is real. But so is the upside. According to PwC and Oxford Economics, Formula 1 host cities typically generate between R1.8bn and R7.2bn annually from tourism, sponsorship, and media exposure. Job creation can reach 10 000 to 20 000 positions, depending on the scale of the supporting economy. So, the question South Africa should ask is not, 'Can we afford it?' It's, 'Can we afford not to?' In a world where automation threatens traditional industries and AI is set to transform entire sectors by 2027, South Africa needs catalysts for growth, skills, and global relevance. Formula 1 is not a silver bullet. But it is a proven accelerant. When the engines roar to life at Kyalami — hopefully by 2027 — they will do more than start a race. They will start careers, launch businesses, and inspire ambition across a generation. Because while critics debate costs, the real question is whether South Africa can afford to stand still. The world isn't waiting. And the future, much like Formula 1 itself, is already racing toward us at 300 kilometres per hour. Dr Nik Eberl is the Founder & Executive Chair: The Future of Jobs Summit™ (Official T20 Side Event) and author of Nation of Champions: How South Africa won the World Cup of Destination Branding. *** The views expressed here do not necessarily represent those of Independent Media or IOL. BUSINESS REPORT
The Citizen
6 days ago
- The Citizen
Giyani woman uses football to uplift youth
LIMPOPO – Stella Ndlovu, a passionate community leader from Gawula village, has taken it upon herself to harness the unifying power of football to promote social change and economic growth. While the football season is on pause, she organises tournaments to keep the youth off the streets and positively engaged. 'There's no better way to keep young people off the streets than by giving them something entertaining to do, and sports is the perfect tool for that,' Ndlovu explained. According to her, the tournament has become a beacon of hope for many young people who would otherwise be vulnerable to negative influences. 'When they hear that there's soccer somewhere, they all feel compelled to either participate or come to watch,' she said. Beyond offering young people a positive way to channel their energy, the event breathes life into local enterprises. Small vendors set up stalls around the grounds, selling refreshments, snacks, and other goods to spectators who flock in from neighbouring villages. 'As a community, this also promotes unity as people from different villages come together and have fun. There's no better place to meet people and build relationships than at a football game. 'Because that's where everyone gathers with the shared goal of supporting their teams despite any differences they might have,' Ndlovu added. In a space often dominated by men, Ndlovu stands out as a woman organiser determined to make sports more inclusive and accessible. She urged the community to rally behind local youth initiatives: 'Let us all come together and support our kids through sports.' While she had initially planned to host a top sixteen tournament, scheduling constraints prompted her to scale it down. 'Normally, I would have organised a top sixteen tournament but had to opt for a top eight so that we do not clash with the mayor's cup event that is starting next week,' she explained. However, Ndlovu assured that once the mayor's cup concludes, she will proceed with the larger competition as planned. With dedicated individuals like Stella Ndlovu at the forefront, football in Gawula is proving to be much more than a game, it is a force for unity, empowerment, and positive change. Meanwhile, the final match of the day featured Gawula Academy FC taking on Makoxa FC. After a goalless draw in regulation time, Gawula Academy clinched victory in the penalty shootout with a 5–4 scoreline and walked away with an R5 000 prize, while Makoxa FC received R2 000 for finishing in second place. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
