KZN Sport MEC Unveils New Umzumbe Combo Sports Courts
Mntomuhle Khawula, the MEC for Sport, Arts and Culture in KwaZulu-Natal, officially handed over newly constructed multi-purpose sports courts at Umalusi Primary School and Mgamule High School in Umzumbe.
It marked another important milestone in the province’s commitment to youth development through sport and recreation.
The newly unveiled state-of-the-art “Combo Courts” are designed to accommodate a variety of sporting codes, including netball, basketball, tennis, and volleyball.
The facilities are expected to create greater opportunities for learners to participate in organised sport, nurture young talent, and promote healthier and more active lifestyles within local communities.
Speaking during the official handover ceremony, MEC Khawula emphasised the Department’s ongoing commitment to strengthening grassroots sports development in schools, particularly in rural and underserved communities. He noted that access to quality sporting infrastructure plays a vital role in empowering young people, encouraging discipline, teamwork, and social cohesion.
Khawula also encouraged the schools to make the facilities accessible to neighbouring schools and surrounding communities to ensure that more young people benefit from the investment. He said the Department aims to create inclusive sporting spaces that can be used beyond school hours to support community development and youth empowerment initiatives.
The construction of the combo courts forms part of broader efforts by the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture to improve sporting infrastructure across KwaZulu-Natal and to identify and develop future sporting talent at grassroots level.
By providing learners with safe and modern facilities, the Department hopes to inspire greater participation in sport and open pathways for aspiring athletes to compete at higher levels.
The handover represents a significant step forward in building inclusive and accessible sporting infrastructure for the youth of KwaZulu-Natal, while also reinforcing the important role that sport can play in education, community upliftment, and social development.
