Pro Body Builder: BhekuMuzi Maluleke

“The first black South African Body Builder of his weight to achieve this…”

Bhekumuzi Maluleke born and bread in Soweto, South Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa. Grew up in a tough environment, confidence and resilience to not settle for less was the food of the day. Muzi, shortened version of body-builder attended school in Pimville, Soweto, Emshukantambo Secondary School.

Humble beginnings for the Muz Monster but didn’t stop Muzi from furthering his studies and pursuing the body building career simultaneously. Muzi studied BA HMS Sport Science, did his Honors qualification also at The University of Pretoria SA.

Muzi, as he is often called, or “Muz Monster”, has been gunning for the IFBB Pro card since he joined the seniors in pursuit to be a professional body-builder. A gruesome, tough and testing journey for Muzi in attaining the IFBB Pro card. The Victory is a strap line of the dedication Muzi has put in, all the sacrifices and the blood & sweat.

left: Bhekumuzi Maluleke

Muzi believes part of his purpose and responsibility is to “showcase the specific God given talent/ability God has given me, live my life through that. Secondly take the responsibility to push the conversation further, equip and bring light to problems/barriers that hinder other athletes progress in body building”.

The IFBB Pro Card attainment has been a big relief for Muzi but he still acknowledges the marathon ahead of him, he knows about the high standards Olympia expects from all global body builders participating in the championships.

“Aspire 2 inspire” is Muzi’s motto, using sport as a tool to change lives of South African people living in remote and less privileged areas/communities, setting an example that through hard work and dedication you really can get to higher levels.

“People crazy enough to think that they can change the world, usually those are the people who get to inflict change in the world. Muzi’s passion, love, ambition and audacious courage will change the body building and how its perceived in South Africa.

Done by Jabulani Mthombeni

From the dusty streets of Mabopane to junior Chess SA national championships:

Mavu Sport Development Coach, Khotso Lodi from Tshwane, Mabopane has four players from Soshangaan Primary School taking part in the Junior Chess National Championships in Kempton Park, Kopanong Hotel.

A young man/coach passionate and moved by his love for chess has managed to inspire and teach young Soshangaan Primary School learners the game of masters. 

At the age of 24, coach Khotso Lodi has had to develop a strong relationship with his learners/players; parents; school and Tshwane chess, handling fears of all stakeholders to assure and showcase his leadership skills as a coach.

With relentless desire to develop in chess. Coach Khotso introduced his siblings to the game, and the whole family was receptive to the game, encouraging the love Khotso had for coaching, hence the Mabopane born chess coach is the youngest in the Tshwane region to take four learners participate in the Junior national champs. 

Right Above: Khotso Lodi

An inspiring story that needs to be told now and forever about coach Khotso and how chess changed his life, to pulling him out of the pits, and reigniting hope and a way out to providing for his family.

Mrs. Judy-Marie Steenkamp from Tshwane Chess shared some of her excitement about coach Khotso’s selection as part of the Tshwane Chess coaches for the province. “Khotso is a breath of fresh air within our pool of coaches, he gives the Mabopane community something to shout about from the rooftops” – says Mrs. Steenkamp.

The Junior Chess SA national championships were hosted from the 18 – 24 March 2019 in Gauteng, Ekurhuleni, Kempton Park. Coach Khotso Lodi and Olebogeng Lodi, Isagoentle Lodi and Remoletile Shuping are the names of the young master minds coming out of Mabopane, Soshangaan Primary school. 

From Left to Right: Isagoentle Lodi; Remoletile Shuping; Coach Khotso Lodi and Olebogeng Lodi

The commitment and dedication put in by the players/learners display great determination to persevere within the Chess fraternity. Without the platform Mavu Sport Development provides for their volunteer coaches, one wonders what will happen to the untapped potential that lies in our less privileged communities. 

Mavu stands firm to their vision of offering access to sport at grassroots level. Most of the South African youth does not have access to regular sport activities. Mavu aims to transform the opportunities of our youth, creating a platform for transformation. Coach Khotso Lodi is the fruit of all the efforts made by Mavu Sport Development and the community of Mabopane.

Done by: Jabulani Mthombeni

Mavu Sport Development partners with SAWASF in hosting Women in Sport Workshops.

Mavu Sport Development in partnership with South African Women and Sport Foundation and UJ Sport hosted the Women in Sport workshops. The workshops were aimed at Women that are in sports to encourage, empower and prepare them not only for womens month coming up but also to show them that they should not give up, not be unapologetic about what they wish to accomplish and who they are in the industry that is still seen as a male dominating industry.

The workshops were hosted at the UJ Astro Clubhouse, Melville on 14 – 15 July 2018. Various women from non-profit organisations were invited and Mavu coaches from our various project areas and provinces were also in attendance. The event did not cater for Men, as it was the first of its kind to happen, women had to be made comfortable to voice out their challenges, issues and concerns when working in the industry.

Mavu family

The fight for equality and equity for women in sport is still one to endure, and our guests were made aware of that. Through the topics discussed, our experienced facilitators and speakers helped in encouraging them that they are fighting a good fight. One thing participants took away from the sessions was that, to know your-self, know your dreams and work hard to achieve them. Fighting has shown us that our words will merely be heard but not acted upon, thus we need to start demanding and advocating for what we stand for and what we want to see in the industry for women.

From left to right: Ofentse Matlala and Mrs Ntambi Ravele

Heading towards women’s day the timing of the event couldn’t be better and on a social side of things, the female coaches really enjoyed the workshops. The workshops were really informative and an eye opener for many, especially those that were close to leaving the industry.

Strong, fierce and highly educated female speakers were invited to implement the purpose of the women in sport workshops, likes of uMama Ntambi Ravele, founder of SAWASF, Alice Khosa, Minky Tshabalala, Mmane Boikanyo, Pearl Mosoane and Keneilwe Mathibela. Part of the program was the break-away sessions for the female coaches to implement what was shared and taught by the facilitators. It was a great initiative to hear some of the testimonies of women who’ve been in the sport fraternity for a long time and challenges they’ve comes across.

For more information please follow us on:

·         Facebook – Mavu Sport Development

·         Twitter - @Mavu_SD

·         Instagram - @MavuSport

·         LinkedIn – Mavu Sport Development

Done by: Jabulani Mthombeni

Together we can do more!!

Free-State Department of Sport arts culture and recreation collaboration with Stakeholders and the community hosted round robbing football and Netball tournament to unearth undying talent of South African youth:

As Mavu Sport Development our vision is access to sport at grassroots making primary school sport our main objective and priority. We also develop South African through igniting passion through sport, providing capacity building workshops/programmes for sustainable participation and lastly creating support systems for emerging elite athletes.

Now that we (Mavu.SD) had made our footprint in the Parys/Vredefort region in the Free-State, working with the likes of Vredefort primary school and Tataiso primary school, the Department of sport reached out and in no time Mr K Mohlomi, Mavu Sport Development team leader in the region made the announcement, to be part of the initiative.

Vredefort Primary vs Tataiso Primary
In the middle: Coach Sydney

The excitement the learners had when the school was being branded with Mavu Sport Development branding, they immediately screamed in jubilation offering they help to our Marketing and communication Intern, Mr J Mthombeni. The tournament started at 10:00am and both the sporting codes commenced with their daily schedule. Vredefort primary played their opening Netball game vs Mokwallo primary winning 9-3. Surprisingly the football was mostly dominated by the visitors Mokwallo primary, going to win the final against Mavu squad FC.

“People never forget how you make them feel”, over hearing Mr Hlalele give a compliment to Mavu Sport Development and appreciating the efforts put to make these events something to remember. 

“Being at the schools and seeing students filled with dramatic excitement and the chanting, passion behind the fierce rivalry. It hit me we need to do more, perseverance in the face of adversity…are and should be the stories coming out of the Vredefort community.

Mountains, shanty houses, muddy puddles beautiful game through the eyes of the kids. The future of our country, the youth, and our future leaders in all spheres of life/occupation need all the support they can get. Please be aware on the 14-15 July 2018 we will be hosting women in sport workshops, strictly for female coaches, venue hasn’t been confirmed yet. If you don’t follow us by now please do,

Done by

Jabu Mthombeni

UJ hosts first day of the U18 African Bank Football Challenge

The University of Johannesburg (UJ) and it's football club have collaborated with African bank, Safa, and Gauteng department of sports, arts and recreation to host the African Bank U18 football Challenge for both boys and girls hosted in Gauteng region. The aim of the tournament is to dramatically improve the development of schools football in the Gauteng region, also eliminating inequality in the women's sport code. Hence, tournament director, Mr J Kgokong acknowledges the educators, coaches, parents, administrators and the players for their unwavering support to football development in South Africa.

Mr Joel kgokong

The U18 African Bank football challenge amplifies the Safa, vision 2022 long term plan that aims to fundamentally rebuilds the structures of Safa at all levels to create conditions that will bring about the sustained international success of our national teams inclusive of women's football nationally. There's great ambition to strengthen and eradicate any form of gender discrimination in South African football and Safa acknowledges a vibrant schools football programme is the heart of the problem.

On the 1 September 2017, UJ hosted the first day of the U18 African Bank football Challenge, having both boys and girls playing their first round matches. There's been great spirit and excitement from the participants inclusive of the coaches and decision makers of the tournament. It's a tradition for South African football players to sing before competing and Clapham high girls football team didn't disappoint with their singing and dabbing, unfortunately the jubilation couldn't match their performance inside the field. The #Iyabila tournament is much more than competition, students, coaches and partners are all here with the aim of building relationships and enjoying the unification of all the people involved in the first annual U18 African Bank football Challenge.

From left: P Ntshangase and A Dlamini

The tournament will be on from 1-3 of September 2017 and everybody is welcome to spend the day with us and cheer our youngsters on. It's a great platform for boys and girls equally to show case their talent and with great support from all spheres, its a win win situation for our participants. Again UJ Sport, together with their stakeholders encourage all to come out and support, finals will be hosted on Sunday, the 3rd of September 2017, come join us and be a witness to the amazing SA football talent we have.

By Jabu Mthombeni

UJ vs UFH

After a week off, the University of Fort Hare (UFH) take on the in form University of Johannesburg (UJ).

UFH travel away from home to take on the blazing 'órange army' (UJ) thursday night #Iyachesa, Varsity football. It's been an appalling three opening rounds for the Alice side and tomorrow they will face a ruthless UJ side aiming to boost their goal difference that will edge them  past their competitors. On the contrary, UJ hasn't managed to win at home, can UFH pull an upset far from home?

Tebogo Julius Mandyu

UJ get a massive injury boost, Katlego Ntsabeleng returns after a forced injury lay-off. However this is perfect timing to get some minutes under his belt, regain confidence and terrorise. Hopefully coach M Zwane will introduce Ntsabeleng just to excite the fans, "UJ loves Ntsabeleng aka Ntsiki, his one of our star players inclusive of the other ten contributing greatly to the puzzle" M Zwane humbly addressing media.

Katlego Ntsabeleng

The men from Alice need to search deep into their football souls and ask themselves questions. Soon the season will be over and the UFH dignity is at stake here. Playing for the badge, motivational talk needs to ringing into the UFH boys heads, the fans are desperately seeking some redemption and what better way than beating the kings of Joburg? Join us tomorrow at Auckland park, Bunting road campus, AW Muller stadium, Kickoff at 18:30.

By Jabu Mthombeni

My Soweto derby

It's been a rough and tumble for Orlando Pirates with Mamelodi Sundowns winning 6-0 against them, and drawing four games against Platinum Stars; Bidvest Wits;Cape Town City and Polokwane City. The question is, can they turn their run of form against Kaizer Chiefs?

It's all about the Soweto Derby! Saturday will welcome one of the biggest sporting events on the South African calendar. We expecting new faces on the day, hopefully they can positively have an impact on their teams performances. Fans are expecting to see a different Orlando Pirates, a team based approach, aggressive compared to the last five games where we saw a Pirates relying more on individual qualities. As for Kaizer Chiefs, fans are saying the Soweto derby favors Kaizer Chiefs based on their past performances but we all know that a team is as good as it's last match.

So we have Amakhosi who have form and momentum and Pirates, with Kjell factor. But us Kaizer Chiefs fans, we know the time is now for Coach Steve Komphela to claim responsibility and make his intentions clear regarding fighting for silverware. Honestly for years we've been waiting for coach Steve to step up and claim his seat amongst the elite in the South African coaching fraternity. There's expectations, excitement and fear, a whole lot of things. For the fans, the derby is everything, but we still expect fans to behave accordingly and have sportsmanship. Winning the Soweto derby you are giving the fans pride, a voice, it is something to talk about until they meet again. Tomorrow we meet again my friend, my closest rival.

Katsande; coach Steve komphela and G. Lebse

The fact that coach Steve is from my home town Kroonstad, my score prediction is 2-1 to Kaizer Chiefs. I stand behind it, I guarantee it...#Amakhosi4life!!

By Jc Mthombeni