Laureus Sport for Good hosts Ubuntu themed Summit at Southern Sun Cape Sun

Highlights included a keynote address by Pieter Du Preez, a sport for good activation at Battery Park and the announcement of Maps Maponyane as an Ambassador.

From Wednesday 25 September to Friday 27 September Laureus Sport for Good South Africa hosted 100 delegates from a number of Laureus-funded programmes as well as key stakeholders for a 3 day interactive skills transfer workshop. 

Ubuntu in its essence means humanity. Often translated as “I am because we are”, the philosophy behind this term is the belief in a universal bond that connects us all. It is this connectedness that drove the narrative of the summit and encouraged the delegates to reflect on the theme for the duration of the workshop. 

Content covered in the Summit included a multi-sector collaboration, Employee Volunteer and Fundraising Workshops and a Dragons Den.

On the Thursday afternoon delegates headed to Battery Park to see Sport for Good in action.

Laureus supported programmes HealthNutz, Living Legends, MadeforMore, Peace Players South Africa, Fight with insight, Box girls South Africa, Skateistan and Indigo Youth Movement all ran activations and delegates had the opportunity to see the power that sport has to make a difference in action.

At this activation Maps Maponyane was announced as a Laureus Ambassador. Other Ambassadors in attendance included Ryan Sandes, Corne Krige, Elana Meyer, Grant Lottering, Deshun Deysel and Amanda Dlamini.

Masego ‘Maps’ Maponyane is a South African TV presenter, actor, producer, philanthropist and businessman. He obtained his Bachelor degree in Media Studies, French and English and International Human Rights (Majors) at the University of the Witwatersrand.

Maponyane has a passion for start-up SME’s and his love for education led to him start Bursary Network, along with his directorships of Silicon Maboneng and Tuta-Me. His passion for giving back and desire to change the lives of people around him, inspired him to volunteer at the Ethembeni Children’s Home over the last 11 years, where he sits on the board. Maponyane also serves as a board member at WWF SA and has recently become a UNICEF advocate. 

Morne Du Plessis said, “I have been really excited to showcase the life-changing work done by the 30 programmes we currently support. These programmes touch over 100 communities across South Africa, and it is humbling to witness the endless passion displayed by every ambassador, programme co-ordinator, team member and community leader to make a sustainable difference on a grassroots level through the power of sport. I would also like to officially welcome Maps to the Laureus Sport For Good family, we have been working together for a few years now, and have already seen the difference that he can make, we look forward to expanding on our time together in the future.”

An excited Maps Maponyane commented, “It is such an honour to join this organisation, I have always lived for sport and fully support the ethos and values that Laureus stands for. I am looking forward to working more closely with the team in SA and across the world in making a real difference. As Nelson Mandela said at the Laureus World Sports Awards in 2000, sport has the power to change the world, and I look forward to making my small mark”.

The Summit wasn’t all work, there was also some time for play with drinks at The Cape Wheel followed by laughter at the comedy club on the Wednesday night, and a dinner at HQ on the Thursday which gave the delegates the opportunity to mingle and wind down.

Delegates engaged, shared knowledge, networked and had fun. Giving them the opportunity to spend quality time with inspiring, knowledgeable and likeminded individuals. It was their moment to bring Ubuntu to life.