The new Luka Sports Field, constructed for the community by Impala Rustenburg, bore witness to an action-packed showdown on 28 October 2023, as the Royal Bafokeng Sports Metshameko Programme finals took centre stage. The Royal Bafokeng Sports Metshameko Programme is a community-focussed collaboration between Impala Rustenburg, Royal Bafokeng Sports and Royal Bafokeng Holdings.
After months of dedication, competition and hard work from the young athletes, the event featured U/13 and U/17 netball and soccer matches, which showcased the carefully nurtured sporting talent of local schoolchildren. The exciting playoffs ended with a grand prizegiving and award ceremony, where the tournament winners were crowned and received trophies, medals and certificates.
The winning school teams in each category were:
● U/13 netball: Rustenburg Noord Primary School
● U/13 soccer: Photsaneng Primary School
● U/17 netball: Grenville High School
● U/17 soccer: Tshukudu High School.
The 2023 Royal Bafokeng Sports Metshameko Programme kicked off in mid-June and involved more than 2 000 pupils from 30 primary and 23 high schools in the communities around Impala Rustenburg’s operations. These young athletes dedicated themselves to weekly coaching, games, and playoffs, honing their skills and their commitment to sports and teamwork. In total, 424 coaches, including 10 umpires and 12 volunteers, played an indispensable role in ensuring the success of the 2023 programme.
The 16 school teams who made it through the playoffs were:
● U/13 netball: Rustenburg Noord, Seraleng, Banapele and Moremogolo
● U/13 soccer: Platinum Village, Photsaneng, Retlakgona and Tlhage
● U/17 netball: Grenville, Meriti, Lebone and Matale
● U/17 soccer: Platinum Village, Tshukudu, Sekete and Meriti.
Moses Motlhageng, Chief Executive of Impala Rustenburg, said: “Congratulations to all the teams that made it through to the finals, and to the champions on the day. The Royal Bafokeng Sports Metshameko Programme is an invaluable initiative, not only for sports development but also for bringing communities together. It fosters a sense of unity and cooperation among our youth, instilling valuable life skills that extend beyond the sports field.”
“The Royal Bafokeng Sports Metshameko Programme is about more than just sports. It is about building character, instilling discipline, and fostering a spirit of teamwork. It is a testament to the power of community and the potential that lies within our youth.”
Eugene Thipe, Head of Royal Bafokeng Sports said: "The support of corporates should not be overlooked when discussing the development of children and youth. A perfect example of this is the work being done through the Metshameko programme by Royal Bafokeng Holdings and Impala Rustenburg. The contributions of these corporates will continue to nurture Rustenburg's future leaders."
