19-07-2025
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.
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