Willem van de Putte|Published
The opening of Mamelodi's first Cruyff Court demonstrates how sports infrastructure revitalisation can act as a catalyst for mental health awareness, youth empowerment, and community cohesion, addressing a long-standing lack of safe public spaces in township communities.
The refurbished football court on the north-eastern outskirts of Pretoria has been developed to give young people more than a place to play, with the initiative using sport to promote teamwork, confidence and positive community involvement.
Rhiza Babuyile, a non-profit organisation dedicated to community upliftment, launched Mamelodi’s first Cruyff Court on October 20, working with the Johan Cruyff Foundation to restore an existing facility that had fallen into disrepair.
The objective was to create a space where children and young people can take part in organised sport while developing life skills, building relationships and learning to take responsibility for their actions.
The Johan Cruyff Foundation is an international non-profit organisation established by Dutch footballer Johan Cruyff to improve children’s access to sport and play. It supports outdoor sports facilities in underserved communities, inclusive sporting opportunities and programmes that promote physical, social and mental development.
For Alef Meulenberg, founder of the Rhiza Foundation, providing a place to play is only part of the solution.
“Giving a young person a safe place to play is important, but we have to look at what happens beyond the game.
“Are they learning to make responsible decisions? Are they developing the confidence to speak up, to work with others and to take ownership of their actions? Those are the things that help young people become active participants in their communities,” he said.
Why community spaces matter
A 2019 study by University of Johannesburg researchers Yente Oosthuizen and Cora Burnett examined access to safe spaces for physical activity in Mamelodi East.
Drawing on discussions with 80 Grade 6 learners, nine sports coaches and interviews with community and school representatives, the researchers found that spaces used for sport and informal play varied in how safe and supportive they were.
Their findings highlighted the importance of considering both the physical environment and the support available to children when creating opportunities for participation.
A 2021 University of Pretoria dissertation by Denambaye Martine Demba identified a shortage of public spaces and recreational sites that were poorly maintained or derelict, linking these problems to the lasting effects of apartheid-era spatial planning.
It argued for regenerating existing recreational spaces, so they become meaningful places for community interaction and contribute to greater urban cohesion.
Sport beyond the scoreboard
Through structured activities, young people can learn to work with others, manage disappointment, respect their peers and develop leadership skills.
The launch coincided with Mental Health Awareness Month and took place three days after the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, drawing attention to the role community facilities can play where access to organised recreational activities is limited.
Meulenberg said a safe space should offer more than physical security. It should also be somewhere children feel included, respected and supported by their peers and trusted adults.
“A community becomes stronger when young people feel that they belong to it and that they have a role to play in it. We want children to understand that they are not simply recipients of opportunities.
"They can contribute, they can lead, and they can help create the kind of community they want to live in,” he said.
Sport can also provide an entry point for conversations about mental health, particularly for young people who may find it difficult to talk about personal challenges.
“Not every young person will find it easy to talk about what they are going through. Sometimes, the first step is having somewhere they feel comfortable, where they can spend time with others and know that they are welcome. Through sport, young people can build relationships and confidence,” Meulenberg said.
Making the space inclusive
Ensuring that girls have equal access to sporting opportunities is another part of the approach. An inclusive environment can give girls the opportunity to participate, develop their abilities and take on leadership roles.
“While a sports court cannot solve the structural causes of poverty, unemployment or violence, it can provide a platform for sustained youth engagement and community participation.
"Its effectiveness depends on the quality of the programmes, the people who facilitate them and the extent to which local communities take ownership of the space,” Meulenberg said.