Nkangala Athletics Academy Builds a Pathway for Township Athletes Despite Challenges
For many young people, sport is more than a pastime. It can provide a pathway away from social ills such as crime and substance abuse, promote healthy lifestyles and, for talented athletes who reach the highest levels, create opportunities to support themselves and their families.
That is the vision that has driven the Nkangala Athletics Academy (NAA) since its establishment in 2010.
Founded by South African sports developer and administrator Emmanuel “Shaper” Mabaso, the academy operates in Middelburg and surrounding communities in Mpumalanga, providing young athletes with coaching, guidance and opportunities that can otherwise be difficult to access.
Mabaso, who is also a runner, says his own experiences growing up helped inspire the creation of the academy.
For township athletes, the cost of travelling to competitions, accessing proper training and purchasing sporting equipment can create significant barriers. NAA was established to help close that gap.
“It was all about bringing the sport to the township and then assisting the youth of the township to access athletics all over the world,” Mabaso told SizaNazo365.
“Yes, I am an athlete myself, so I saw while growing up sometimes we struggle to attend races, training, as well as having sport accessories. So, as a young black individual, it’s very difficult to go to races because it’s expensive.”
Mabaso said those experiences convinced him that an organisation was needed to specifically address the challenges faced by young athletes from township communities.
“So, we thought the team may understand the background of kids or athletes from townships. That’s why we decided, okay, let us form something that will address this gap for people of the township,” he said.
From Middelburg to the United States
The academy’s work has already produced several success stories, demonstrating the potential that exists within the communities it serves.
Among its notable former athletes are twin middle-distance runners Thulisile and Thobile Amon. The pair were recruited by Nkangala Athletics Academy and received high school sports scholarships to Tuks Sport High School in Pretoria, where they matriculated in 2018.
Their performances at domestic championships subsequently attracted attention from Monroe College in New York in the United States, which offered the twins sports scholarships.
Their journey represents the type of pathway Mabaso hopes NAA can continue creating for athletes who might otherwise struggle to access opportunities beyond their communities.
The academy’s contribution to athletics has also received wider recognition. Mabaso was the recipient of the 2001 National Young Community Shaper Award, while Nkangala Athletics Academy was named Team of the Year at the Mpumalanga Sports Awards in 2023.
Recent Success on the Road
NAA Athletes After Competing As Part of The Liberty Coal Team At The Greatest Train Race for Charity in Middelburg (Image Supplied)
The academy continued to produce strong results this past weekend when seven NAA athletes competed as part of the Liberty Coal team at the Greatest Train Race for Charity in Middelburg, Mpumalanga.
The team secured an impressive triple victory at the annual event, with Liberty Coal claiming first place in the 15km race, the 24km race and the overall train race.
Another NAA athlete, Gugulethu Thanjekwayo, has also earned a major opportunity after being selected to represent South Africa in the 3000m at the Confederation of School Sport Associations of Southern Africa (COSASSA) competition in Zimbabwe from 31 August to 3 September.
For Mabaso and the academy, such achievements reinforce the value of investing in young athletes despite the difficulties involved.
Funding Remains a Major Challenge
While NAA continues to produce promising athletes, financial constraints remain one of the academy’s biggest obstacles.
Mabaso regularly faces difficulties raising enough money to transport athletes to major provincial and national championships. The costs associated with athletics extend beyond travel, with equipment, clothing, race entry and other requirements placing additional pressure on families.
“There are a lot of challenges as we are in the township,” Mabaso said.
“Some of the athletes come from disadvantaged backgrounds. Sometimes it is a challenge for some of the township parents to understand the needs of the sport and also the accessories to run. This sport is very expensive. Racing is very expensive. Clothing is very expensive. So, all those challenges we face.”
Despite those obstacles, the academy continues to focus on developing athletes while ensuring that education remains an important part of their progression.
Looking Ahead
NAA Athlete Gugulethu Thanjekwayo (left) With Academy Founder And Chairperson Emmanuel “Shaper” Mabaso (Image: Supplied)
NAA’s immediate attention is on the upcoming South African championship cross-country events, while preparations continue for Thanjekwayo’s COSASSA assignment in Zimbabwe.
The rest of the team is also preparing for the Mpumalanga championships before targeting qualification for the South African Cross-Country Championships in Pretoria on 5 September.
The academy also has ambitions in road running, including the 10km championship, as it continues to expose its athletes to different disciplines.
For Mabaso, however, success is not measured solely by medals and race results.
The broader objective is to ensure that athletes can develop their sporting abilities without sacrificing their education.
“Discipline-wise, our vision is to ensure our athletes balance sports with education,” he said. “So, we try by all means to participate in every discipline. We’ve got a programme towards achieving their goal.”
More than a decade after its establishment, Nkangala Athletics Academy continues to pursue the same fundamental objective: creating opportunities for township athletes and helping them turn potential into real sporting and educational pathways.