High profile figures graced the Noloyiso Bonga Foundation launch that was held at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium Museum recently.
According to Pastor Mbulelo Ngewu, the objectives behind establishing the Noloyiso Bonga Foundation were to plough back to the less fortunate communities in Gqeberha.
“The world karateka star, road-runner, rugby player, cricket player and Umhlobo Wenene FM multi-radio awards winner, Noloyiso Bonga, felt that change should be made in the disadvantaged communities in Gqeberha.
“Bonga has persistently tried to plough back to the people, but she decided to use sport to fight challenges in the marginalised communities. This initiative will give opportunity to the kids to demonstrate their talent bestowed upon them.”
Former Eastern Sports Confederation president, Mkhululi Magada, stated that there were lots challenges in sport.
Magada revealed that minority sports like karate, boxing, tennis, judo and others encounter a lot of financial challenges in respect of funding.
Magada appealed to business entities and individuals to help in funding sport. Nelson Mandela Bay Netball Association chairperson, Dr Noluntu Dyubhele, concurred with Magada that financial challenges were the big stumbling block, and she highlighted that the Noloyiso Bonga Foundation would bring changes in the communities, despite the many challenges.
A national triathlon athlete, Nolukhanyo Madlingozi, appealed to the youth that they should not give up, but should take sport seriously.
“I know that it is difficult to run a sports foundation because of financial challenges, but I appeal to people to make the dream of Noloyiso Bonga become a reality. To move this initiative forward, money is needed to produce world sports stars in our communities,” said Madlingozi.
After some individuals and business organisations made their pledges to support the Noloyiso Bonga Foundation, Bonga stated that she had decided to establish the sport foundation, named after her, to make a huge a difference in the disadvantaged communities of Gqeberha.
She stated that her initiative belongs to the people.
