A sports court can be a place to learn teamwork, test one’s abilities and discover a love for the game. In Marikana, North West, it is also part of a much bigger effort to prepare children for a future beyond the classroom and the mining economy that has shaped their community.
The Marikana Cruyff Court was officially launched on October 20 at the Marikana Youth Centre, operated by Afrika Tikkun, in partnership with the Johan Cruyff Foundation, Carglass/Belron Netherlands, Sibanye-Stillwater and Scania Southern Africa.
The new facility reinforces a shared investment in the long-term development of young people in the mining community and adds a dedicated space for sport and recreation to an existing Afrika Tikkun youth development programme reaching more than 600 children and young people annually.
Agnes Sibanda, Head of Scale and Outreach at Afrika Tikkun, said the facility gives children another way to learn, build relationships and participate in the life of the centre.
“We believe sport and movement are a key part of children’s lives,” said Sibanda. The court, she explained, complemented the centre’s existing work by giving children another way to participate in structured activities and develop beyond their academics, within the context of a holistic child and youth development.
“Sport gives children space to discover their abilities, build confidence and learn to work with others. At Marikana, those experiences become part of a wider support system that includes learning, nutrition and social support. The court strengthens what we can offer young people as they grow.”
Officially opened in July 2024, the Marikana Youth Centre brings together education, digital skills, personal development and social support, recognising that young people need more than one kind of opportunity to prepare for adulthood.
For over 30 years, through its “Cradle-to-Career” model, Afrika Tikkun has supported children from age three and guided them through education, skills training, and employment opportunities.
Children from Grade 1 to Grade 9 can access after-school support through Afrika Tikkun’s Ignite programme, including literacy and numeracy. The centre also provides a plated meal each day and access to an auxiliary social worker for children who need additional support.
Older learners can develop digital skills and participate in work readiness programmes. More than 70 digital workstations provide access to learning resources and opportunities that may otherwise be difficult to reach.
The center’s programmes draw children from local feeder schools and surrounding rural and peri-rural communities, where distances between schools and families can make access to structured after-school activities more challenging. The court adds opportunities for physical activity and organised sport alongside this educational support. Planned activities include health and fitness sessions, as well as soccer and netball tournaments that will bring the wider community onto the court.
The Johan Cruyff Foundation uses sport and play to encourage physical activity and support children’s development. Its partnership with Afrika Tikkun uses sport to teach young people life skills such as teamwork, resilience and fair play. Through the partnership, Marikana is the fourth Cruyff Court at an Afrika Tikkun centre, following Diepsloot, Mfuleni and Orange Farm.
“In Marikana, that approach was brought into an established youth development programme rather than introduced as a standalone project,” added Sibanda. “Preparing children and teenagers for opportunities beyond school is part of thinking ahead to a time when livelihoods may look different from those available today. The court is one part of that broader commitment.”
Marc Lubner, Executive Chairperson & Group CEO of Afrika Tikkun, echoed her sentiments says that children deserve the space and opportunity to discover what they are capable of. Sport has the power to change the world, it has the power to inspire and unite people like nothing else does.
It helps young people develop confidence, discipline, resilience and a sense of belonging, “the Cruyff Court brings that opportunity into the heart of the Marikana Youth Centre, strengthening the work already being done to prepare children for the future.
“This is what meaningful investment in young people looks like, creating opportunities today that can shape the adults and communities of tomorrow.”
He said transforming young lives requires more than a single intervention.
“It requires a sustained commitment, with partners willing to invest in children’s development over time. The Cruyff Court demonstrates what can be achieved when organisations bring their resources and expertise together around a shared purpose. By connecting sport with education, skills development and personal growth, we are helping create an environment in which young people can see possibilities for their future and have the support to pursue them.”
Lubner said the Johan Cruyff Foundation team and Carglass, headed by Bas Creemer, a long-standing friend of Afrika Tikkun, were living examples of Madiba’s values. He also thanked Siyanda Siko of Sibanye-Stillwater for bringing a human touch to the commercial world of mining and making the court possible on company property
The court’s launch brought together representatives of partner organisations, sponsors, community stakeholders and programme participants.
Niels Meijer, CEO of the Johan Cruyff Foundation and a former professional basketball player for the Dutch national team, shared how sport joined people to do good and gave them purpose in life.
Aron Winter, a Johan Cruyff Foundation ambassador who played for the Netherlands and a number of top European clubs, encouraged the men and women who coach and train at Afrika Tikkun to care for the young people as if they were their own. The most important measure of success, he said, was simply to have fun.
“For the children who use the centre, the value of the new facility will be found in what happens on it: from the games played, to the activities shared and the opportunities to take part in something beyond the school day. And that is why this investment is so important,” Sibanda concluded.
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