Promoting sports among girls is aligned with one of the Foundation’s broader goals: to advance gender equality and the empowerment of women. In partnership with the Department Basic Education, the Kay Motsepe Schools Cup: Netball (KMSC Netball) provides an opportunity for girls under 15 to participate in a competitive sport.

Young girls in South Africa are often faced with many challenges that deter them from advancing and seizing opportunities. Sport, netball in particular, is one way to provide them with much-needed space, support and security. However, women’s sport does not receive much attention from the private sector. The Foundation seeks to address this gap through this programme.

The Motsepe Foundation has committed R2 million a year for 10 years, beginning in 2016, for the development of netball in schools. More than 6 000 schools participate in the KMSC Netball tournament annually and 36 teams from nine provinces participate in the national competitions.

Two winning teams from the national tournament qualify to participate in the under-15 international netball tournament in Singapore. Of the three teams that go to Singapore, one is from a disadvantaged community.

The exposure and experience of this team in an international setting has generated a lot of interest in netball and has inspired the girls to work harder.

The Kay Motsepe Schools Cup comprises Netball and Football tournaments. The goal of the tournaments is to develop the love of sports in young women and men. Sports develops character, discipline as well as mental fitness.