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Aspire 17 Youth Summit: Empowering South Africa’s Youth Through Sports

Aspire 17 Youth Summit: Empowering South Africa’s Youth Through Sports

By Monica Brown

As a correspondent for CRW Radio, I had the privilege of attending the Aspire 17 Youth Summit, a groundbreaking initiative organized by the Laureus Sports Foundation for Good South Africa. This inspiring event took place in Gauteng and brought together a diverse group of young people from across the country.

The summit was a celebration of the power of sports to transform lives and create positive change. Participants were immersed in a series of workshops, panel discussions, and motivational talks that focused on topics such as leadership, teamwork, and personal development. Renowned athletes, sports administrators, and community leaders shared their personal journeys and offered invaluable insights into the world of sports and beyond.

Adele Hugo from Made For More (left), Monica Brown, a leader in promoting Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging, and Natalie du Toit OIG MBE, renowned South African swimmer and Paralympic gold medalist, gather together. Natalie’s achievements span the 2004 Paralympic Games and Commonwealth Games.
J Something (Joao da Fonseca), award-winning artist, cook, guitarist, and vocalist, shared an inspiring talk on the power of living one day at a time. Known for his captivating performances and creativity, his message resonated deeply, Truly an epic moment of inspiration.

One of the highlights of the summit was the opportunity for young people to connect with like-minded individuals and build lasting relationships. The event fostered a sense of camaraderie and inspired participants to pursue their dreams and make a difference in their communities.

The Aspire 17 Youth Summit was a resounding success and a testament to the Laureus Sports Foundation for Good South Africa’s commitment to empowering young people through sports.

As a participant, I was deeply moved by the passion and enthusiasm of the participants and the positive impact that this event will undoubtedly have on their lives.

Jean De Villiers, former Springbok Captain, shares insights on transitioning “from the Cloakroom to the Boardroom.” He emphasises the importance of developing educational pathways and career opportunities alongside professional sports to build a strong second option for the future.
Agnes from Skateistan, an international NGO that uniquely uses skateboarding as a tool for empowerment, embodies the mission to inspire and uplift communities. Through innovative programs, Skateistan fosters resilience, confidence, and positive change.

Laureus South Africa, the organisation behind the Aspire17 Youth Summit, is committed to creating opportunities and driving social change through sport. As part of the Laureus Sport for Good network, they fund, support, and develop programmes that use the transformative power of sport to promote equality, access, and opportunity for all.

Excited to dive deeper into the inspiring discussions from the event? Catch all the highlights and insights from the second day of the summit in the full day of presentations here: Full Day Presentations.

Monica Brown, Content Director for CRW News and CRW Radio, Changemaker, Activist And Social Entrepreneur

Main Image shows The Totalsport SafeHub venue in Alexandra Township, South Africa, hosted the Day 1 activities. This vibrant community space serves as a hub for empowerment, sports, and learning, bringing people together for positive growth and development.

Images – Photo Credits: Monica Brown

We hope you enjoyed the article, you can read more articles from Monica here and there will be more regular weekly articles from Monica Brown coming soon.