The 2026 National High/LSEN Schools Athletics Championship has been plunged into uncertainty following a protracted venue dispute that saw organisers forced to relocate the event from North West to Gauteng just days before competition was due to begin.

South African Schools Athletics (SASA) confirmed on Sunday it cannot guarantee the championship will proceed as planned at Pilditch Stadium in Pretoria from 8 to 11 April, despite securing the World Athletics-certified venue as an alternative.

The crisis stems from the unavailability of the originally selected Royal Bafokeng Stadium in North West, which had been awarded hosting rights under SASA’s five-year strategic plan adopted at the 2024 Annual General Meeting.

Venue selection and early warnings

The Royal Bafokeng Stadium, a certified and accredited facility, was identified by North West as the official venue. However, site inspections conducted in preparation for the championship revealed an incomplete stadium sound system, flagged as a potential operational risk.

Local Organising Committee meetings were convened regularly to monitor progress across all operational areas.

The March crisis

On 20 March 2026, while SASA was in Cape Town hosting the Primary Schools Championship, the organisation was informed by Given Mabena, director from the Department of Basic Education, that he had received communication from Mamoruti Monama, director from the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, indicating the stadium would not be available.

An emergency multi-stakeholder meeting was convened to assess the situation. Ms Monama chaired the meeting in her capacity as chairperson of the Project Management Team for the championship.

During this meeting, the incomplete sound system was identified as a key risk factor, though the appointed events management company indicated the matter could be mitigated. A follow-up meeting was scheduled for 24 March.

Provinces confirm readiness

At the 24 March meeting, SASA presented a comprehensive update on its readiness, with all nine provinces confirming their preparedness and compliance with logistical requirements. Various Local Organising Committee commissions reported positively on accommodation, transport and catering. The events management company presented a solution to address the sound system challenges.

A virtual meeting on 1 April saw SASA and all nine provinces again confirm their readiness, though limited updates were received from certain commissions. Public liability insurance was raised as a concern, with the events management company confirming necessary cover was in place and committing to resolve outstanding matters within three days.

At the conclusion of that meeting, the Project Management Team chairperson informed stakeholders that new information had been received from the Office of the Premier, confirming the stadium was not available for the championship.

Three options considered

The meeting considered three proposals: cancellation of the championship, postponement to a later date, or securing Pilditch Stadium on the same dates. Only the third option received support from Local Organising Committee members.

SASA subsequently secured Pilditch Stadium and reported this to the Project Management Team chairperson. The organisation confirmed it had received formal confirmation from stadium management and secured all required equipment including electronic timing systems, results teams, measuring and assizing equipment, and wind gauges.

A Local Organising Committee was established in consultation with the Gauteng Schools Athletics structure, and volunteers were recruited.

Postponement announced

On 2 April 2026, Dr C. Khumalo, director-general of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, issued a communication to provinces postponing the championship due to unavailability of the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Phokeng.

The communication noted that all provinces had already procured accommodation, transport and other necessary logistics, and required provinces to halt all logistics until the date and venue were confirmed.

“DSAC will note the financial strain experienced by provinces due to the damages and forfeitures as this will be a breach of contract with other procurements,” Dr Khumalo wrote, adding that provinces would be updated as soon as possible on dates and venue.

Consultation process

Following Dr Khumalo’s postponement communication, consultative engagements were initiated. SASA noted the communication was issued without adequate consultation with the Department of Basic Education and SASA.

Two consultative meetings were subsequently held with all provinces and stakeholders across both education and sport sectors, addressing the rationale for the venue change, the department’s communication regarding postponement, and the negative impact of postponement on school athletics.

All stakeholders acknowledged the additional travel distance and provided their consent to proceed. Many parents had already incurred travel and accommodation costs. Limpopo and Western Cape had already incurred expenses in Rustenburg.

Financial impasse

Without financial support from the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture and its provincial structures, and with the Department of Basic Education and its provinces unable to finance team participation at Pilditch Stadium, the stakeholder meeting resolved that the Department of Basic Education must urgently consult with its director-general and that SASA must formally write to both departments highlighting the urgency of withdrawing the postponement letter, given teams were scheduled to depart on 7 April.

SASA submitted formal correspondence to the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture. Responses received indicated the matter had been escalated through the chief director to senior management, and that Monana was awaiting feedback, including on the request for withdrawal of the postponement letter.

Current status

SASA said on Tuesday that despite efforts to secure support and approval from both departments, no final confirmation has been received. Some provinces have begun communicating that teams will not travel.

The organisation said the championship is critical for athletes seeking bursaries from schools and tertiary institutions, and presents opportunities for recognition and potential partnerships with international sports brands. Any disruption may significantly impact these opportunities, it said.

SASA said it acknowledged the situation as “a profoundly disappointing moment for school athletics in South Africa” and a “missed opportunity” to uphold responsibility to athletes.