The City of Johannesburg’s Region D hosted the 2025 edition of the Soweto Sports Festival on the weekend of 3–4 May at the CTM Sports Centre in Meadowlands, Soweto.
This dynamic youth-focused event followed the success of the inaugural festival held on 2 March 2024 at the same venue. Organised by the City of Joburg’s Region D Sport and Recreation team, the two-day sports festival showcased a range of sporting codes, including athletics, volleyball, netball, football, and activities by the Soweto Basketball Academy. This year’s edition expanded to two days to accommodate a broader number of participants and codes compared to the previous year.
The Soweto Sports Festival forms part of the City’s strategy to promote youth development, health, and community wellbeing through active participation in sport. Key partners included local sports federations such as South African Football Association and humanitarian organisation Gift of the Givers. These stakeholders work in collaboration with the City’s Sport and Recreation Directorate to select qualifying teams based on set criteria and development targets.
For 2025, the focus was placed on developing young athletes in specific age groups: under-14s in basketball, volleyball and football; and under-17s in netball, along with an open division. The event aims to identify and nurture local talent, encourage community involvement, and introduce sporting codes like volleyball to township areas where such opportunities are limited.
Among the festival’s highlights was Gift of the Givers’ donation of sanitary packs to support the dignity and wellbeing of young girls. Former captain of the SPAR Proteas Netball Team, Bongi Msomi, delivered an inspiring address, thanking both participants and organisers. She was joined by Orlando Pirates captain, Tapelo Xoki, who encouraged youth to take sport seriously as a path to opportunity for both personal growth and community upliftment.
Winners across sporting categories were awarded trophies, medals (sponsored by the City’s Sport and Recreation Directorate), and gift vouchers courtesy of Dytabank.
The City’s Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Community Development, Councillor Tebogo Nkokou, commended the organisers and participants for their dedication: “The Soweto Sports Festival is a powerful initiative that fosters community unity while uncovering future stars. Sport is close to my heart, and township youth often represent the most overlooked talent. This platform gives them visibility and encouragement, and it must continue to grow.”
The Region D Sports Festival stands as a key event in promoting youth sport, healthy lifestyles, and social cohesion in Johannesburg’s vibrant communities.
Written by Maseipati Tsotsotso