Residents of Mamelodi, together with different stakeholders, came together over the weekend to clean up a tennis court at Jafta Mahlangu Secondary School.
The Sports Facility Cleaning Programme was organised by Impilo 0720 Sports Centre of Excellence.
Sizwe Radebe from the centre said the effort by the community was overwhelming and a huge boost for the tennis sport in the school and the community at large.
Radebe said Impilo Tennis is an affiliate of Tennis South Africa and has produced a lot of talented players at Jafta Mahlangu Secondary School.
“Our main aim is to provide the highest assistance in growing tennis in the community of Mamelodi, and the school tennis court was also part of reviving the sport.
“Jafta Mahlangu Secondary School has a tennis court that was last used around the 1990s.”
“We saw the Sports Facility Cleaning Programme as an opportunity to revive tennis sport at the school as well as introduce learners to the sport,” said Radebe.
The tennis court had overgrown grass, and the community members, schoolchildren, and local organisations participated in clean-up.
“We are also working together with the school to form a tennis team that will participate in the 2025 national school sports competition.
“The tennis court will produce players because we believe there are a lot of talented tennis players at the school and the community at large,” said Radebe.
The stakeholders who participated in the clean-up helped with cutting overgrown grass and donated food, water, and educational programmes for schoolchildren.
Impilo 0720 Sports Centre of Excellence is a non-profit organisation that keeps boys and girls busy with tennis lessons and discussing social issues affecting Mamelodi children.
He said the centre was formed to revive the spirit of tennis.
“With the guidance of Siya Nkachela from Tennis Lab SA, we were able to revive tennis in Mamelodi.”
The centre keeps children busy with tennis lessons from Monday to Friday in the afternoon and also helps them with schoolwork, playing indigenous games, and discussing social issues,” said Radebe.
Radebe further said the Impilo 0720 also hosts street tennis sessions every second week of the month around Mamelodi.
Street tennis is a programme whereby they scout tennis players from Mamelodi, especially small children.
“We teach small children tennis in the streets of Mamelodi by hosting mini-tennis tournaments by creating a small tennis court with mini nets,” said Radebe.
Impilo 0720 has more than 60 children who joined the club from the age of six years and upwards.
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