3 July 2017 –The ABC Motsepe League has grown from strength to strength over the years and is now regarded as a key tier in the overall structure of South African football.

From humble beginnings, the league now boasts 144 teams across all nine provinces and is regarded as a breeding ground for nurturing raw talent as well as a solid medium for preparing match officials and coaching staff for the big time.

However, none of this would be possible without proper sponsorship. Mining magnate, Dr Patrice Motsepe and his Motsepe Foundation stepped in when no one else would in 2014, committing to a five year  deal that would pump up to R40 million into ensuring the sustainability of this league.

The decision was a ‘no-brainer’ for Motsepe who wished to follow in the footsteps of his late father, Mr Motsepe senior (a former school teacher and principal), in driving grassroots football and youth development. The league was thus appropriately named after him as well.

Overall, the Foundation aims to alleviate poverty and improve the living standards of the poor and disadvantaged communities across South Africa. They focus on initiatives and projects that result in beneficiaries becoming self-sustained and independent. By promoting non-racialism and respecting diversity, the foundation strives to encourage the poor and alleviate unemployment.

The above is achieved via a number of impressive projects. Apart from the ABC League sponsorship, the Foundation also funds the Kay Motsepe Schools Football Cup as well as the Schools Netball Cup and encourages School Eisteddfod initiatives to promote national reconciliation, identity and social cohesion.

The Foundation also provides bursaries for deserving students and assists in the revamping and development of various schools (and churches) across the country. There is also something called the National Workshop in which the organization’s Development Forum members along with traditional/religious leaders act as representatives of their communities in each province and share concerns as well as ideas for improvement.

All-in-all, the foundation’s impact lies in key programme areas: education, health, economic development, women empowerment, youth empowerment, sports and arts (locally, continentally and globally).

The South African Football Association (SAFA) is proud to be in partnership with such an impressive organization which can only benefit football as a whole. SAFA shares the same values and goals of the Motsepe Foundation that go beyond sport, making it a union destined for great things. The ABC Motsepe League can only grow from strength to strength and continue to produce the best footballers and coaches that the nation has to offer.