The Motsepe Foundation, in partnership with Sanlam, the Department of Basic Education and SA Schools Netball, hosted the 2026 Kay Motsepe Schools Championship U/15 Netball National Finals at Mutango Lodge in the Dinokeng Conservancy, Pretoria, over the weekend.
Idlangamabela Secondary School from Mpumalanga and Die Afrikaanse Hoër Meisieskool Pretoria (AHMP) emerged victorious in their respective streams, with each school set to receive R400 000 towards legacy projects of their choice, while second and third placed schools will receive R200 000 and R100 000 respectively, bringing the total investment across both streams to R1,4 million.
The prize money will not be paid directly to the schools in cash, but will instead be allocated to sustainable legacy projects designed to create a lasting impact beyond the tournament.
The tournament brought together 36 schools from all nine provinces, competing in a round-robin format across four groups. Nineteen schools participated in the Botho Stream (established and traditional urban schools), while 17 played in the Ubuntu Stream (developing and rural schools). Idlangamabela edged Jabulile 17-15 in the Ubuntu Stream final, while AHMP beat defending champions Helpmekaar 17-16 to claim the Botho Stream title.
The six winning schools will now benefit from legacy investments aimed at supporting their broader school communities, underscoring the championship’s purpose beyond the final whistle: using sport as a platform for youth development, confidence-building and lasting social impact.
Motsepe Foundation Co-Founder Dr Precious Moloi-Motsepe, highlighted the transformative power of sport in young people’s lives.
“South Africa has an abundance of sporting talent, but talent alone isn’t enough. Young athletes need platforms, mentorship, and investment to reach their full potential. The Kay Motsepe Schools Championship helps create those opportunities. At the Motsepe Foundation, we are proud to celebrate 10 years of supporting young netball talent and to see more institutions investing in sporting excellence among the youth,” said Dr Moloi-Motsepe.
Julius Sikhuza, Sanlam Retail Mass Executive, said the investment in young people through sport is central to what Sanlam believes in.
“Sport has a unique ability to bring people together and create opportunities that can change lives. At Sanlam, our purpose is to help people live with confidence, and we know that through sport, young people develop the self-belief, resilience and discipline needed to succeed both on and off the court.
The impact of the Kay Motsepe Schools Netball Championship extends far beyond the scoreboard. It helps build confidence, leadership and life skills, while creating opportunities for young athletes to realise their potential. Just as success in sport requires clear goals, careful planning, commitment, and discipline, so does financial wellbeing. By investing in initiatives such as this, we are empowering the next generation to build brighter futures with confidence,” said Sikhuza.
Di Woolley, Chairperson of SA Schools Netball, said the weekend was proof of what can be achieved when organisations invest in young people.
“Some of these children may not have had the opportunity to be here without the support of Sanlam and the Motsepe Foundation. It is because organisations like these have seen the vision and the importance of investing in sport,” said Woolley.
Idlangamabela coach Zenzo Khumalo said the victory proved that resources alone do not determine what a team is capable of.
“We don’t have a court, we don’t have resources, but we came here to show that a lack of resources does not define us. Hard work and commitment will take you to the next level,” said Khumalo.
AHMP coach Hamoeny Marttys said her team delivered on everything they had prepared for.
“They executed what we had worked on. The preparation and all the hours we put in showed on court,” said Marttys.
Tournament Advocate and Netball South Africa Director of Coaches, Dumisani Chauke, said she is deliberate about using her platform to inspire young girls from underserved communities.
“It is important for a girl from a small township to look at me, relate to me and say: if it can happen to Dumisani, it can happen to me. I am very intentional about that,” said Chauke.
