6 July 2026 – The South African Football Association (SAFA) Women’s Football department concluded Youth Month (June) with two successful campaigns.
Held under the FIFA Women’s Football Campaign banner, the project visited Witbank in Mpumalanga as well as Mothibistad in the Northern Cape for an uplifting programme for girls between 6-12 years in each province.
The Campaign focused on immediate grassroots engagement and capacity building through sport, fostering confidence, self-esteem and vital leadership skills. It was a busy period which saw 30 coaches and the same number of volunteers leading over 300 participants across the two provinces. The FIFA Women’s Football Campaign is an initiative integrated with the FIFA Forward funding platform to boost grassroots participation among girls and women globally, with key objectives to increase participation and to offer safe environments to the next generation of female footballers.
This event, held under the auspices of the FIFA Forward Program, is aligned with the SAFA Women’s Football Strategy that aims to increase girls’ participation in football. At the two events in Mpumalanga and in the Northern Cape, the day was packed with exciting football field activities, blending structured technical drills with energetic free play sessions designed to ensure every child thoroughly enjoyed the experience. It was a memorable day of sport, growth, and community empowerment for the next generation of female footballers.
The visit to the two provinces was an important step reviving women’s football in the two areas. Mpumalanga boasts a proud history in the women’s game having produced historic national contenders like Detroit ladies and continuing to nurture modern talent for the national team Banyana Banyana. Despite the rich history, many exceptionally talented players in the far-flung municipality remain isolated from the mainstream football activities due to geographical barriers. On the other hand, Mothibistad was enjoying their first ever hosting of the FIFA Women’s Campaign, representing a transformative opportunity for young girls in the poverty-stricken community.
The presence of FIFA Women’s Football Campaign in the two areas highlighted a critical gap where grassroots intervention was sorely needed, and the initiative created a meaningful impact by promoting confidence, teamwork while also bringing to the fore the importance of inclusive opportunities for girls in underserved areas.
“Our campaign was just the beginning, let us secure the future by expanding schools’ programmes, driving grassroots festivals, and creating clear pathways to success. Let’s show the girl child that success in football is possible,” said Dawn Lubisi, Head of Women’s Football at SAFA.
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