New basketball courts unveiled at CPUT District Six on Youth Day

Future generations of basketball players can develop their skills at the new basketball courts unveiled on Youth Day at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology(CPUT) District Six campus.

On Monday, June 16, young basketball players from areas including District Six, Hout Bay, Elsie's River and Gugulethu, along with the Original District Six minstrel group, CPUT representatives, members of the District Six community, the Giants of Africa non-profit and sponsors saw the opening of the new basketball courts.

The new basketball courts were made possible by the Giants of Africa, a non-profit organisation from Toronto in Canada, along with their sponsors - a Canadian tourism company.

Deputy Vice Chancellor of CPUT, Jerome Corns thanked the Giants of Africa for their contribution to the work done at the basketball courts. “Today we celebrate Youth Day, a day that marks courage and resilience of the youth of 1976 who stood up against injustice and inequality. As we reflect on their sacrifices, we are reminded of our responsibilities to invest in the dreams, talents and potential of our youth today,” he said.

Mr Corns said this basketball court is more than just a structure. “It is a symbol of possibility and what we can achieve when we come together,” he said.

Mr Corns said the basketball court is located in the historical District Six, a community with a deep-rooted and inspiring story of resilience. “This court will not only serve our students but will also become a platform for our youth development and community engagement,” he said. Mr Corns welcomes members of the District Six community. “We offer them full access to the court, development and mentorship through our CPUT basketball clubs,” he said.

Co-Founder of Giants of Africa, Godwin Owinje, said the goal of his organisation is to install basketball courts throughout Africa with their ‘Built Within’ initiative, which aimed to build 100 basketball courts across Africa since 2021.

So far, they have built 38 basketball courts in 11 African nations and Mr Owinjie said with the completion of the courts in District Six, they have completed the 39th and 40th basketball court as part of their initiative. “Being here in District Six allows us to expand our mission in inspiring and empowering youth through sport,” he said.  He added, “ We firmly believe in the transformation power of sport, to educate, inspire and empower our youth.”

District Six Foundation chairperson, Nadiema Safter, said that even though there are people returning to District Six, the community is still forgotten. “So today, with the two basketball courts, it will mean a lot to the community, and we thank Giants of Africa and CPUT who came to us and had good conversations with District Six community leaders around the courts,” she said.

Ms Safter has also made a strong appeal to CPUT to come over and meet the community and have conversations. “Let us see how CPUT can invest further back into the community of District Six,” she said.