A multi-purpose sports ground that recently opened at the Ukhanyo Primary School in Masiphumelele, is being seen as a beacon of light in the area that is blighted by socio-economic issues.
The sports field, which opened last Friday, was erected by Masi Sports and will be able to host rugby, netball, soccer and volleyball matches. Now, young people in the community will have the chance to live a balanced life.
Principal at Ukhanyo Primary School Michael Tyhali said he has dreamt of the school owning a sports ground for many years.
“Our learners will be able to play sports while in a safe environment, and we will be able to host big events for schools in the valley, Khayelitsha, Stellenbosch, and surrounding areas,” he said.
He added: “People have been wanting to come to Ukhanyo Primary School, but we couldn’t accommodate them because we didn’t have fields to play on.”
SuperSport Schools, which records and live-streams schools sport, has also committed to broadcasting some of the matches and festivals that will take place at the school in 2022.
Tyhali said that in Masiphumelele, socio-economic issues are at an extreme.
“Be it poverty, gender-based violence, crime or abuse, there are many social ills which harm our children,” he said.
He added: “This field is going to change the community. We are here to mould these young children to be something in the future. Having that opportunity to be seen on the big stage is a once in a lifetime opportunity.”
A rugby player at the school, Moleta Mabhena, said he is just as excited to host other teams on the field.
“I'm very excited about the new field. When I joined rugby, we would train on the netball court, but now we can train, do scrums and play contact rugby on a field.”
He added: “I can’t wait for us to host matches and for SuperSport Schools to show our matches live so that our fellow students and the world will be able to watch us.”