Madiga, Limpopo. For young netball players in Madiga, the journey from first pass to crown felt a little closer this week as Telkom netball clinic arrived in the community, bringing together aspiring athletes, educators, coaches for a day centered on opportunity, confidence and possibility.
Hosted at Morutwa Secondary School, the clinic welcomed learners from Ramabu High School, Leruleng Secondary School and Morutwa Secondary School, offering young players the opportunity to learn from South African netball legend Bongi Msomi while reinforcing the message at the heart of Telkom’s Stand Tall: From First Pass to Crown campaign: that every netball journey, no matter where it begins, has the potential to lead somewhere extraordinary.
For many of South Africa’s future stars, the first pass is made far from packed arenas and national broadcasts. It begins on dusty courts, in rural communities and in schools where dedicated teachers and volunteers continue to nurture talent despite limited resources.
In Madiga, those individuals were recognised as the community’s unsung heroes.
Among them was Ramabu High School coach Sontaga Makgakga, whose commitment to growing the game has helped create opportunities for young girls to develop confidence, discipline and belief through sport.
Having spent years mentoring learners through netball, Makgakga believes the sport offers far more than competition.
“When I speak about Stand Tall: From First Pass to Crown, I tell my learners that where they come from does not determine where they are going. Their future matters more than their circumstances, and with opportunities like these, they can achieve far more than they imagine.”
Her story was echoed by fellow community champions Zelda Maredi of Leruleng Secondary School and Lucy Maimela, Chairperson of the Ramabu High School
School Governing Body, both of whom have spent years supporting netball development within the community.
Through initiatives such as the Stand Tall clinics, the Foundation continues to invest in creating pathways for young people to access opportunities that extend beyond the classroom and onto sporting stages where talent can flourish.
Representing Telkom in Limpopo, Area Manager Bonny Mackay said the programme reflects Telkom’s commitment to empowering young people in communities that often face significant social and economic challenges.
“Many young people in rural communities face obstacles that can limit their opportunities,” said Mackay. “Through programmes like these, we want to create environments where they can discover their talents, build confidence and imagine bigger futures for themselves. Netball is not just a sport, it can become a career and a platform for changing lives.”
Leading the on-court activities was former Spar Proteas captain Bongi Msomi, who shared her own journey with learners while helping them develop new skills and confidence.
Having represented South Africa on some of the biggest stages in world netball, Msomi said initiatives like the Stand Tall clinics are critical in ensuring young players from all communities have access to opportunities.
“Everywhere we go, I am reminded of where my own journey started,” said Msomi. “These players deserve the same opportunities to dream, learn and grow. You can see it in their eyes and in their willingness to learn. There is so much potential here.”
Msomi also highlighted the role sport plays in developing leadership beyond the court that when young people realize they are good at something, it builds confidence. We are not only teaching netball skills; we are helping them believe in themselves. That’s how future leaders are developed.”
To support ongoing development beyond the clinic itself, Telkom donated essential netball equipment to the participating schools, aimed at helping coaches and learners continue their development long after the final whistle.
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