Youth Day sporting festival empowers Tweefontein K youth

TWEEFONTEIN K – Asibakhuliseni Sports Academy, in partnership with the Shakes Rotating Tournament and Thembisile Hani Local Municipality, hosted a three-day Youth Day sporting festival from 13 to 16 June 2026 to promote youth development through football, netball and community activities.

The event honoured the legacy of 16 June 1976 while encouraging young people to participate in positive activities and addressing challenges such as drug abuse, unemployment and youth idleness.

Kwagga City Football Club won both the Under-15 and Under-17 Top 4 tournaments held on 13 and 14 June.

Technical Team Manager Lesedi Mahlare said the tournament showed that talent exists across different communities.

“We came from Kwaggafontein as visitors, but Tweefontein K welcomed us like family. This double win proves talent isn’t only in one section. Kwaggafontein and Tweefontein K youth can stand together and win together,” he said.

The festival featured football, netball, a colour fun run and an aerobics marathon. Eight football teams competed across three divisions, six teams participated in netball, and about 70 children, youth and adults joined the fun run.

Mdledle 11 won the open tournament, while RDP Khulisile Masters played Thembisile Hani Local Municipality Masters in a curtain-raiser featuring former football players Bharhu Mthombeni and Timothy Nkosi.

Mahlare said the tournament was inspired by the role young people played in shaping South Africa’s history.

“The 1976 youth stood up for their future. We’re doing the same with our feet by taking them across townships to compete, not to destroy,” he said.

Thembisile Hani Local Municipality councillor Bongani Jiyane said developing and exposing talent could create opportunities for young people.

“Developing and exposing talent can be a way out of the struggles of poverty, drugs and demotivation,” Jiyane said.

Shakes Kabini, founder of the Shakes Rotating Tournament, said the initiative aimed to encourage young people to participate in sport.

“For me, it was to encourage the youth to involve themselves in sporting activities and fight against this nyaope that is killing our youth. We have also exposed players to professional teams, like Elias Mokwana and Ntokozo Mtsweni,” Kabini said.

Residents welcomed the impact of the tournament, with Jabulani Sibusiso Masango saying the event helped restore dignity among young people.

“This tournament restores the dignity of our youth,” he said.

Nelisiwe Sibanyoni thanked organisers for keeping young people active and away from drugs.

Mahlare said transport and equipment remained challenges for developing players and called for support from sponsors and the municipality.

“The biggest challenge is transport and equipment. If Thembisile Hani Local Municipality and sponsors help with one bus and proper kits, imagine what these boys can do for Thembisile Hani,” he said.

He encouraged coaches to continue working with available resources.

“Don’t wait for perfect conditions. Start with what you have. Your address doesn’t decide your future, your discipline does,” Mahlare said.

Now in its fourth year, the event was organised without a budget. Organisers said the programme has helped produce players who progressed to teams such as Kaizer Chiefs, TUKS and TS Galaxy, while one Kwagga City player was selected for the SAFA Under-15 Interprovincial Squad in 2026.

The Under-13 team will defend its Build It Cup title, while the Under-17 team continues to seek further exposure.