The Sol Plaatje University (SPU) football teams received a game changing R500 000 donation from the Northern Cape Provincial Government, courtesy of Premier Dr Zamani Saul. The generous handover took place on Wednesday, 5 April 2023 at the newly inaugurated SPU Sport Precinct, South Campus.
This remarkable contribution will propel the development and revitalisation of football at the university, paving the way for a bright future in the sport. Dr Saul emphasised the Provincial Government’s vision to establish a Premier Soccer League team in the province, with SPU’s football teams playing a crucial role as feeder teams for more established clubs.
SPU Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Prof Andrew Crouch, expressed gratitude for the donation and affirmed that this partnership will bolster future collaborations and initiatives, benefiting not only the university but also the wider province. The recent launch of the SPU Sport Precinct, coupled with the Premier’s substantial donation, heralds a new era of enhanced access, inclusion, and support for football.
Captains of the men’s and women’s first football teams, Mr Raymond Bott and Ms Motlatso Matabane, conveyed their heartfelt appreciation for the financial boost. “With this financial support, we can evolve into an outstanding team, fostering social cohesion within the community and elevating sport and academic excellence to new heights,” Mr Bott stated.
Ms Matabane reflected on the team’s journey, saying, “When I joined the team in 2021, we faced numerous challenges, including practice fields and equipment. However, we persevered. With the recently launched Sport Precinct, we now have a home venue where we can play and practice. We are truly grateful and humbled by this donation. On behalf of the team, we thank you for making these funds available.”
Ms Nicole Morris, Dean of Student Affairs confirmed the impact of the donation: “With the recently launched sports precinct and this generous donation from the Office of the Premier, we can finally put the wheels in motion, igniting change and introducing new initiatives towards heightening access, inclusion, and support in football. I would like to thank once more the Premier, his delegation, and the Northern Cape Provincial Government for their commitment to ensuring the success of our soccer sporting code at the University.”
For enquiries contact Mr Qondakele Sompondo, Director: Institutional Advancement, Office of the Vice-Chancellor.
Telephone: +27(0)53-491-0059
Mobile: 073 437 8319
Email: [email protected]
