South African Youth Sports Development

Transforming Lives Through Sports

We are committed to transforming the lives of South Africans, especially young people, by using sport as a doorway to belonging, discipline, education, opportunity, and hope.

Join The Movement Our Impact

Foundation representatives standing with community members

Legacy carried forward by community

01 / Our Promise

A child should not have to outrun poverty alone.

Zithulele Sinqe's legacy teaches us that talent can be born anywhere, but it needs care, structure, encouragement, and a community willing to stand beside it.

The foundation exists to be that support system. We meet young people where they are, help them believe in what is possible, and open pathways through coaching, school sport, mentorship, scholarships, wellness, family involvement, and community events.

1963Born on 9 June in Mthatha, Eastern Cape.

1986Won the South African marathon title in 2:08:04, then an extraordinary national mark.

1987Produced a celebrated 1:00:11 half marathon in the legendary Durban duel with Matthews Temane.

1992Represented South Africa in the Olympic marathon in Barcelona.

1996-97Claimed back-to-back Two Oceans Marathon victories, cementing his road-running legacy.

LegacyRemembered not only as a champion, but also as a coach, mentor, commentator, and builder of young athletes.

Foundation Commitment

We do not only train athletes. We care for futures.

Every race, clinic, school partnership, scholarship conversation, and community event is part of a deeper commitment: to help young South Africans feel seen, supported, and capable of building a life with purpose.

01Access

Sport must reach young people in townships, villages, schools, and communities that are too often overlooked.

02Care

Development means coaching the person, not just the runner: confidence, character, wellbeing, and belonging.

03Opportunity

We connect talent to mentors, education pathways, races, scholarships, partners, and long-term support.

02 / Our Impact

Impact is a young person choosing hope.

These numbers are placeholders for the first version, but the mission behind them is real: every young person reached should leave with more confidence, more support, and a clearer path forward.

10,500+ Athletes Mentored

120+ Communities Reached

850+ Scholarships Awarded

250+ Events Supported

03 / Programmes

Six ways we stand beside young people.

Our programmes are deliberately connected. A child may enter through a race day, but the goal is a longer journey of safety, discipline, mentorship, education, wellbeing, and opportunity.

Youth Athletics Development

Structured coaching that helps young athletes build discipline, confidence, health, and a sense of purpose.

School Sports Programmes

Helping schools become safe, active places where sport supports attendance, pride, teamwork, and achievement.

Mentorship & Leadership

Trusted adults and role models who help young people navigate pressure, choices, leadership, and identity.

Community Wellness

Wellness days that bring families together and make healthy movement part of community life.

Talent Identification

Finding talent early and making sure it is not lost because of poverty, distance, or lack of exposure.

Women In Sport

Creating safe, visible, and ambitious pathways for girls and young women to participate, lead, and thrive.

Women athletes running together near the finish line

Featured Legacy Story

The road remembers every child we choose not to leave behind.

"I run for my people, I run for my country, I run for a better future."

This space is for the stories behind the medals: parents who keep showing up, coaches who become family, children who discover courage, and communities that begin to believe in their own future again.

04 / News & Community