A Durban University of Technology (DUT) student is using sport to create opportunities for young people in Msinga, bringing together community members through an initiative that promotes healthy lifestyles, teamwork and youth development.
Siyakhula Msinga Empowerment NPC, a community-based organisation founded by DUT student Simphiwe Mnyandu, hosted its annual Sports Day on 10 and 11 October 2026 at KwaGxobanyawo Sports Ground in Msinga. The two-day event attracted more than 400 attendees and featured 12 soccer teams and four netball teams.
The Sports Day provided young people with an opportunity to showcase their sporting abilities, build relationships and participate in healthy competition. Beyond the sporting activities, the initiative aimed to create a positive environment where young people could develop confidence, strengthen social connections and engage meaningfully with their community.
Mnyandu, a fourth-year Bachelor of Health Sciences in Nursing student at DUT, established Siyakhula Msinga Empowerment to address socio-economic challenges affecting young people in Msinga and surrounding areas of KwaZulu-Natal. These include unemployment, poverty, limited entrepreneurial opportunities, inadequate access to health and psychosocial support, and limited access to higher education information and career guidance.
The annual Sports Day was inspired by Ms Andile Khumalo, an organiser at Siyakhula Msinga Empowerment, who proposed the initiative in early 2025. Recognising the role sport can play in young people’s lives, she envisioned an annual event that would encourage participation, nurture talent and help young people prepare for sporting competitions throughout the year.
“Many young people have a passion for sport but lack the resources, support and opportunities needed to pursue their interests,” said Khumalo. “By providing a platform for participation, we hope to encourage healthier lifestyles, promote positive choices and help young people recognise the value of their abilities.”
The event was supported by local stakeholders, including councillor Dr Myeza, the local sports committee and local business Go Big or GO Home. Their involvement demonstrated the importance of collaboration between community organisations, local leadership, sporting structures and businesses in creating opportunities for young people.
The commitment of the Siyakhula Msinga Empowerment team also played an important role in delivering the event. Through the shared efforts of Mnyandu, Khumalo, fellow organisers and community partners, the Sports Day continues to develop as an annual platform for sporting participation and community engagement.
With 16 teams taking part, the event provided a foundation for expanding sporting opportunities in Msinga. Siyakhula Msinga Empowerment hopes to attract more participants, strengthen partnerships and secure additional resources, including sporting equipment, facilities and transport, to enable young people to participate more consistently.
In the longer term, the organisation aims to help talented young people develop their abilities beyond community-level competitions while establishing the Sports Day as a sustainable annual event.
The initiative reflects the role that DUT students can play in addressing community needs beyond the university environment. Through Siyakhula Msinga Empowerment, Mnyandu and the organisation’s partners are creating opportunities for young people to participate in sport, develop their potential and build stronger connections within their community.
Pictured: Netball teams participating in the Siyakhula Msinga Empowerment Sports Day.
Phumeza Msongelwa
