Former Proteas cricketer, JP Duminy, has taken up the role as Laureus Sport For Good Foundation SA’s newest ambassador.
The 37 year old cricket legend joins a growing list of local sporting icons that have already joined the Laureus family – including Wayde van Niekerk, Bryan Habana, Natalie du Toit, Jean de Villiers and Cecil Afrika – and is excited to continue sharing his passion and enthusiasm for sport with the youth of underserved communities.
“It is an absolute privilege to join an organisation that uses sport as a vehicle to change people’s lives in a tangible and meaningful way, not only here in South Africa, but across the globe,” Duminy said at the announcement. “Something that is true to my heart is creating platforms and opportunities for kids to flourish, and that can impact this generation and the generations to come.”
Duminy was introduced as ambassador in Strandfontein during a visit to the Laureus-supported 9Miles Project, an organisation that uses surfing as a catalyst to mentor and support at-risk youth in coastal informal settlements and surrounding communities in Cape Town, Elands Bay and St Francis Bay.
“Hailing from Strandfontein myself, I have a deep understanding of the many challenges faced by our youth today,” he added. “I had the privilege of growing up with a father who instilled in me the importance of legacy and being actively involved in the community, which is why I believe that every young person needs and deserves a caring adult who can help them on their road to success as they grow. I am therefore so honoured to extend my work through Laureus and be a part of an amazing group of people whose vision mirrors my own.”
Morné du Plessis, Chairperson of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation South Africa, noted that Duminy’s his humble yet practical approach to creating opportunities for underprivileged youth has not gone unnoticed.
“JP is a cricketing hero for many youngsters in South Africa, and in a time when the youth do not have many heroes they can look up to, JP’s honourable approach to life makes him someone that anyone can model themselves after. We are therefore truly thrilled to welcome him to the Laureus SA family.”
Fostering Social Change Through Sport
Laureus Sport for Good South Africa funds, supports, and promotes the use of sport as a tool for social change.
The Foundation has a network of over 30 Sport for Social Change organisations in over 100 communities, using sport in innovative ways to tackle some of society’s most pressing challenges facing our youth, including poverty, homelessness, gangsterism, violence, drug abuse, discrimination and HIV/AIDS.
To support this mission, Laureus Ambassadors – a select group of current and retired sportsmen and women who have achieved sporting greatness, or made significant contributions to the sporting community over the course of their careers – volunteer their services and time to represent the Foundation at its various project activations and activities across the country.
Since its inception, Laureus SA has raised over R80 million for projects which have helped improve the lives of over 100,000 young people in South Africa. Through the strategic six-year country patronship between Mercedes-Benz South Africa (MBSA) and Laureus SA, the partnership has supported the Foundation’s goal of enhancing social impact in a bid to expand efforts and achieve the ambitious agenda of positive, sustainable change and influence, to enable the youth to become active economic participants in society.