“The win is not mine alone, but for everyone who has believed and supported the vision behind the Phuti Lekoloane Foundation.” These were the words of Phuti Lekoloane, founder of the African Pride Games, who won the Volunteer of the Year in Football Award at the 2025 South African Sports Awards on August 24, held at the Sun City Superbowl, under the theme: Celebrating sporting excellence.

Lekoloane said he was numb when he heard the MC call his name. “My heart started beating very fast. I was scared and happy because I carried a lot of hope.”

Read more: Rabie Ridge tennis stars smash barriers through sports

When asked by the paper how he would describe himself to someone who doesn’t know him, he said: “A man who risks it all to live his truth.”

Lekoloane believes there is plenty of advocacy work that needs to be done in the community of sports, not only for the LGBTQI+ athletes, but for grassroots athletes too. “Ours is just to level the playing field, so athletes will feel comfortable and safe.”

From October 4 to November 2, the Phuti Lekoloane Foundation will host another instalment of the African Pride Games at the Rabie Ridge Stadium, celebrating resilience and creating a safe space for LGBTQI+ athletes in sports.

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