After the euphoria of Amakhosi trouncing their neighbours Amabakabaka in the Soweto derby at the weekend, the new Gauteng Netball Super League took off. The Klipspruit Sports Complex in Soweto hosted the launch of the league, which is expected to transform township sport and unearth latent talent.

Delivering his message of support, the MMC for Community Development in the City of Johannesburg, Councillor Lubabalo Magwentshu, said: “Witnessing the launch of the Gauteng Netball Super League is heartwarming. As the city we appreciate all the efforts made to date by various stakeholders in growing netball.”

The President of Gauteng Netball, Riana Bezuidenhout and Chairperson of Johannesburg Netball Association Patricia Dlamini together with their respective teams were instrumental in the establishment of this league to develop competitive netball in Gauteng. 

In reaffirming the City’s unwavering commitment of the development of netball, MMC Magwentshu said: “Our door is forever open for cooperation and collaboration in advancement of communities through sports. Support will continue to be given in any way possible to grow netball in the city.”

Magwentshu said the initiative is going to create peaceful competition and bring communities of different ethnic backgrounds together. Let alone in educating the communities about gender equality. “Netball has for the longest of time been associated only with women. Of late, males are playing too,” said Magwentshu. 

Soweto has a rich netball history based on solid foundation laid by the yester-year generations that produced the likes of Hazel Gumede, a SA netball star and Hall of Fame inductee. 

Key to Gumede’s training was the City of Johannesburg official, the late Joseph “Khafs” Makhafola. 

To date, young Sowetans like Kamogelo Maseko are advancing and infiltrating senior netball structures using improved township facilities. 

“The launch of the Gauteng Netball Super League could have not been anywhere better except in Soweto. This brings hope and advances the motion of prioritising townships. The city will continue to create an enabling environment by maintaining, building or remodelling sport facilities,” Magwentshu concluded.

Among those in attendance were the former premier of Gauteng, Nomvula Mokonyane, and MMC for Group and Shared Services Cllr Loyiso Masuku.

Joburg wishes the Gauteng Super League great success.