- A coach wanted to take around 50 underprivileged children, many of whom have never left their communities, to see Bafana Bafana play live.
- Leroy Maluka says he has seen how exposure changes belief.
- He has taken it upon himself to handle transport logistics, covering roughly 60km, to ensure the children get to the match safely.
A powerful initiative is under way in Cape Town, involving fitness coach and mentor Leroy Maluka, who is on a mission to bridge the gap between opportunity and access, one football match at a time.
On 31 March, Bafana Bafana will take to the field at the iconic Cape Town Stadium.
For many, it’s just another fixture on the calendar, but for Maluka, it’s a chance to change lives.
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At the time of writing, he was working to take around 50 underprivileged children, many of whom have never left their communities, to see their national team live for the very first time.
By the time you read this, those young children would have seen their icons play at the iconic stadium for the first time, while munching on a treat at New York Bagels beforehand.
Fitness coach Leroy Maluka delivered on his mission to give underprivileged children from the Cape Flats the opportunity to watch Bafana Bafana live at Cape Town Stadium.
Familiar face: The group enjoyed New York Bagels before the match at Cape Town Stadium. A local legend joined them. Can you spot him?
The group enjoyed New York Bagels before the match at Cape Town Stadium.
Maluka told Drum this week that the idea came from understanding what access could do for a young person.
“Growing up, moments like this aren’t just entertainment; they’re inspiration. I’ve seen how exposure changes belief,” he said.
For these children, the outing is about far more than football; it’s about stepping into a world they may have only seen on television, a world that can often feel out of reach.
“For many of these kids, it’s their first time leaving their community, their first time in a world-class stadium, and their first time seeing players they look up to in real life. It’s not just a match, it’s a moment of belief,” the fitness coach said.
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Maluka is intentional about confronting the deeply rooted spatial and social divides that still exist in Cape Town, particularly between the Cape Flats and the city centre.
He said the divide was real – not just physically but psychologically.
“A lot of kids grow up feeling like certain spaces aren’t for them. My mission is to break that barrier to show them they belong everywhere.”
Pure joy: Fitness coach Leroy Maluka delivered on his mission to give underprivileged children from the Cape Flats the opportunity to watch Bafana Bafana live at Cape Town Stadium.
Determined to turn that mission into a reality, Maluka has taken it upon himself to handle transport logistics, covering roughly 60km, to ensure the children can attend the match safely.
He said he didn’t want it to remain just an idea.
He quickly posted a video about the initiative online.
“Too many good intentions never materialise because of logistics. It’s about accountability. If I say I’m doing it, I make sure it happens,” he said.
As a fitness coach, Maluka understands the transformative power of sport beyond physical fitness.
He highlighted that sport teaches discipline, structure, resilience, and belief.
Football is powerful because it’s accessible and relatable, he added.
According to him, the sport gives children direction, but more importantly, it builds character.
The response to his initiative has been overwhelmingly positive, drawing support from both local and international communities.
“We’re aiming to take around 50 kids. The response has been incredible. People resonate with the purpose. There’s a real willingness to support when the intention is genuine,” Maluka said.
Still, like many community-driven efforts, the initiative faces its fair share of challenges, particularly around resources.
“Transport, tickets, coordination, those are the biggest hurdles. But challenges don’t stop the mission, they refine it,” he said.
Maluka is calling on people, brands, and organisations to get on board, whether through funding, ticket sponsorships, refreshments, or long-term partnerships.
He said every contribution would help to create an unforgettable experience.
But, beyond the match, the vision is bigger: consistent opportunities, mentorship, and development pathways.
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At its core, the initiative is about planting a seed, one that could shape how these children see themselves and their futures.
“I want them to understand that where you come from doesn’t limit where you can go. This experience is just a spark, but what they do with it can shape their future,” he said.
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