Deputy Minister of Basic Education, Dr Reginah Mhaule, together with the Deputy Minister for Sport, Arts and Culture, Ms Peace Mabe, handed over the Nedbank Cup Multipurpose Sport Court to Phulong Secondary School in Springs on 03 September 2025. The sport court donation has been made possible through a partnership between the Premier Soccer League (PSL) and Nedbank under the umbrella of Nedbank Cup, which was conceptualised in 2014. Since its inception, the partnership has seen more than ten sport courts being donated to several South African communities, with a specific focus on those communities with limited sport resources. The adoption of the Nedbank Cup initiative has over the years been used as an opportunity for tournament winners to contribute to football development in the Basic Education Sector. This year’s champion was Kaizer Chiefs, after winning 2-1 against Olando Pirates during the 2025 Nedbank Cup hosted at Moses Mabhida Stadium on 10 May 2025. Amakhosi bagged R10 million in prize money in their victory.
The PSL labels the initiative as a pillar of sport development in schools in that it enables Government to increase the provision of key sport resources in areas of need. “This legacy project ensures that the impact of the Nedbank Cup extends far beyond the final whistle,” highlighted a PSL representative during the hand-over.
Addressing the audience during the launch, both Deputy Ministers stressed that the promotion of sports and physical education in schools remained focus areas underpinned by the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between the Department of Basic Education (DBE) and the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC). The MOU consists of several areas of collaboration, including school sport; Sport ambassadors; National Youth Camp; Indigenous Games; Reading Clubs; Heritage Education Programme; and Spelling Bee.
In her keynote address, Deputy Minister Mhaule highlighted that the provision of appropriate sports infrastructure in schools was vital for fostering health, athlete development, and economic growth by providing safe, high-quality venues for physical activity and large-scale events. She further remarked: “The accessible and appealing facilities we see here today, encourage the youth to participate in sports, fostering a national culture of fitness and athletic engagement. Participation in sport has many important benefits: it unites people, builds families and encourages community participation.” She further highlighted many added benefits to physical exercise: maintaining a balance between the mind, body and spirit. The Deputy Minister further underscored the importance of team sports in promoting teamwork, accountability, dedication and leadership.
In her remarks Dr Mhaule emphasised the importance of sports as a platform for empowerment, learning discipline, success and growth. “Our learners here at Phulong Secondary School will benefit immensely through this beautiful multipurpose sports court. We are equally pleased to hear that this facility will also be utilised by the other neighbouring schools. This is very critical in alleviating the challenge that we have in our schools. One of the greatest challenges we are faced with is the lack of sporting facilities that enable our learners to participate in sports,” she concluded.