Phase 1 of the Jabulani Safe-Hub in Soweto was officially launched by the City of Johannesburg Executive Mayor, Councillor Jolidee Matongo and the Department of Community Development, Sports and Recreation on 9 September 2021.

The Safe Hub boasts a full-size soccer artificial pitch, swimming pool, outdoor courts, gym facility, kids play area and perimeter fencing. Phase 2 will be a construction of a community centre and administration offices launched at a later stage.

The Jabulani Safe-Hub will serve as a space for youth development intervention in a township to address socio-economic ills using sport as a vehicle.

“The Safe-Hub does not only speak to the City of Johannesburg’s mandate of providing sport and recreation opportunities to the community but also the forging of remarkable partnerships that can expand on that plan.

“I am personally excited to witness the thriving athletes to come out of our City.  We cannot wait to get back to playing our loved sports with spectators filling the stands,” said Cllr Matongo.

The opening of the facility in Jabulani is also a prime example of fruitful, multi-stakeholder public-private-partnerships. These partnerships will enable significant and positive social impacts and an increased standard of living for the community to build resilience, foster social cohesion, drive community-based solutions, and stimulate economic development.

“Soweto being the biggest region within the City of Johannesburg has the potential to generate the next Olympic stars, of course given support by external partnerships to make this dream a reality.

“By investing in the City, partners like Amandla confirm the trust and commitment to the youth, who are our future sports men and women,” said Cllr Margaret Arnolds, the MMC for Community Development.

The mayor extended his gratitude to the Development Bank of SA, Safa, Amandla Discovery, ATC, Vumatel and other partners that made the day possible.

09/09/2021