Totalsports Safe-Hub in Alexandra
Photo by: Duane Daws
The Totalsports Safe-Hub, a football-based after-school programme for youth development, was launched earlier this week in the north of Johannesburg, as part of the South African Football Association’s (Safa’s) Vision 2022 that aims to build the structures needed for the development of local football talent.
Through sports retailer Totalsports’ R8.5-million investment, the Safa Development Agency (SDA) was able to build an artificial football field in Alexandra township.
Totalsports has committed a further R5.4-million a year over the next five years, which will be used for training coaches, referees and administrators.
The City of Johannesburg donated the land on which the Safe-Hub was built.
Safe-Hub is a registered trademark of South African nongovernmental organisation Amandla EduFootball. The youth development model has achieved significant reductions in crime and violence, improvements in educational results for its participants, and a job-creation pipeline for young people.
To date, four Safe-Hubs have been launched in South Africa. There are Safe-Hubs operating in Khayelitsha and Gugulethu, in the Western Cape, and one funded by entertainment group Tsogo Sun, in Diepsloot, in Gauteng.
The Totalsports Safe-Hub in Alexandra marks the first implemented in partnership with the SDA. Amandla EduFootball and the SDA have agreed to roll out 100 Safe-Hubs by 2026 through a social franchise model supported by national government and corporate institutions.