Lewellyn de Wee, a former foster child, understands first-hand the transformative power of sports.
This passion fuelled the creation of the Anton Bantu Foundation in 2018, with the mission of using athletics and education to create positive change for the youth in the Helderberg basin.
De Wee’s own life was shaped by athletics, and he hopes to provide similar opportunities for others. “Many children have hidden athletic talent,” he said. “We want to help identify that talent and give them a chance to develop their skills and stay away from negative influences.”
The foundation’s upcoming outreach athletic coaching clinics are aimed at young people of all experience levels. “We welcome anyone interested in athletics, whether they’re complete beginners or looking to sharpen their existing skills,” said De Wee.
The free clinics are unique in its focus on reaching under-served areas. “We’re going out to those areas where there haven’t been opportunities for athletics development,” explained De Wee. “We want to find those hidden talents and connect them with the resources they need to succeed.”
The clinics will provide personalised coaching, training programmes, and even address the nutritional needs of young athletes. Standout participants will be identified for potential scholarships and placement with top athletics clubs.
“Our goal is to not only identify talent, but also to develop a strong athletics system in the Helderberg,” said De Wee. “We even dream of having our own tartan track and stadium someday.”
The initiative is part of a broader awareness campaign for the Anton Bantu Foundation. “We’re laying the groundwork to prepare these young athletes for future events such as the 2026 Los Angeles Olympics,” De Wee said. “Imagine a much bigger South African team with athletes from our very own communities shining on the global stage!”
The foundation’s long-term goals include establishing a strong athletics culture among the youth, building a dedicated athletics facility, and sending home-grown athletes to compete in future Olympic Games.
De Wee encouraged parents to get involved and welcomed support from the community and businesses to help make the foundation’s goals a reality.“Let your children explore new skills through our coaching programme.”
V For more information, visit the Anton Bantu Foundation’s Facebook page.
