Developing Vulnerable Kids Thru Sport South Africa

The highly anticipated Siyaphakama Multi-sport Tournament returned on 23rdAugust 2025, bringing together more than 280 boys and girls in sports teams from eight different primary schools in the Zwide community. A collaborative initiative between the Kolisi Foundation Aware.org and United Through Sport the tournament not only ignited the spirit of competition but also addressed critical issues affecting today’s youth.

For the first time, the Siyaphakama Tournament, supported by Aware.org, introduced life skills education as a central theme, with a special focus on underage drinking and alcohol abuse. To encourage positive behavior and responsible decision-making, the tournament integrated #NoToU18 educational activities, where teams earned points by participating in interactive games that highlight the dangers of underage drinking. This innovative approach has been shown to be more effective in helping young participants retain key messages compared to traditional classroom-based learning.

“We are proud to support the Siyaphakama Multi-sport tournament, a platform that not only promotes physical fitness but also nurtures the emotional and academic growth of children,” said Mokebe Thulo, Head of Brand at Aware.org. “By incorporating life skills education into the tournament, we are taking significant strides towards empowering our youth to make informed and responsible decisions about alcohol consumption. This initiative aligns perfectly with our mission to create a safer and healthier society.”

In addition to the educational focus, the tournament also aims to address food insecurity, another pressing issue in the community. All participating children received a full meal, ensuring they were well-nourished and able to perform at their best. As well as a food pack to take home with them courtesy of fellow sponsors Cerebos.

The event culminated in the awarding of trophies, medals, and prizes to top-performing teams and standout participants, celebrating their achievements on and off the field.

Echoing this sentiment, Nick Mould - Director of United Through Sports, stated, “In partnership with Aware.org and the Kolisi Foundation, we are tackling critical issues like underage drinking and alcohol abuse head-on, through interactive games and educational activities that will inspire and educate our young participants”.

This year’s tournament will leave a lasting impact on the youth and has set a powerful example for future initiatives.