Sports Impact

Jan 2026 – Mar 2026

Vuyiswa Ntombela

Katlehong, South Africa

Vuyiswa Ntombela was born and raised in Katlehong, South Africa and is the firstborn of two daughters. She is strongly influenced by both sport and the arts, a combination that has shaped her passion for community development. Her work has consistently focused on uplifting others through these two powerful platforms.

From 2012 to 2014, Vuyiswa coached a girls’ soccer team in her Katlehong community. This role was both fun and fulfilling, as it allowed her to share her knowledge and love for the game.

In addition to coaching, she continues to give back by informally collecting soccer boots in good condition and distributing them to underprivileged children across various communities.

Vuyiswa has coordinated numerous campaigns supporting underprivileged communities, including orphanages.

She is ranked number 1 in the women’s national FootGolf standings of South Africa and has represented her country at tournaments across the globe.

Earlier last year, she was appointed as a Youth Committee Member of the FootGolf Federation. In this role, she is tasked with growing FootGolf as a sporting code among young people across the African continent.

She is currently flourishing in her newly found sports career that is gradually growing.

FootGolf is something she never anticipated pursuing in her life but today she’s enjoying every minute of it.

AGN – When did you first fall in love with sport, and what drew you to the game of soccer as a young girl?

VN: I fell in love with sport in my early teens and that is because my grandmother used to buy us a lot of different toys, including different types of balls.

Out of curiosity I played with a ball in the yard and I got hooked. I would practice relentlessly in order to be able to execute certain skills. Fortunately, a man who was a coach at the time came to visit our neighbour and saw me playing. He urged me not to waste my talent and convinced me to join his team.

AGN – How did you first discover FootGolf?

VN: I was looking for a hobby to de-stress and a friend told me about FootGolf. I decided to give it a try and haven’t looked back.

AGN – As the number 1 ranked FootGolfer in your country, what does attaining that position enable you to do that may otherwise be more challenging?

VN: I get to be pre-qualified for international tours including the up coming 2026 FootGolf World Cup and possibly be sponsored to compete.

AGN – Golf is not typically considered to be an accessible sport. Is FootGolf more accessible and if so, why?

VN: FootGolf is more accessible, although there are costs that still need to be met, they are not typically as high as those for Golf. Our equipment is comparatively affordable as well and you don’t need a sports background to be a footgolf player. It’s a matter of interest and commitment and if necessary, the rules can be learned as you go.

AGN – Can you summarise what your role entails as a Youth Committee Member of the FootGolf Federation?

VN: I’m responsible for growing the footgolf junior category in Africa as a whole since youths are consided the future of the sport. I am constantly attending meetings about how to grow the sport.

AGN – What strategies are you using to grow FootGolf among young people across Africa?

VN: I’m currently in talks with schools so that they can introduce footgolf as part of their extra curricular activities. There will also be activations/campaings at grassroots level to create awareness and encourage engagement and participation.

AGN – What challenges do you foresee in introducing FootGolf to new communities on the continent?

VN: Some of the main challenges include; accessing sponsorship and golf courses or acquiring land which can be converted to footgolf courses. A lot of people still don’t understand the sport so securing facilities can be an uphill task in comparison to sports that are more well known.

AGN – Do you consider sport to be a powerful tool for personal development and if so, why?

VN: Sport is definitely a powerful tool for personal development because it keeps you grounded, it teaches you to believe in yourself which can aid determination to achieve one’s life goals.

Discipline is a huge factor in becoming more proficient at sport. This can also help in one’s daily life.

AGN – What inspired you to start coaching a girls’ soccer team in your community?

VN: I had ceased playing soccer at the time I decided to become a coach. I went to watch a soccer match at a nearby sports ground which involved a team that was owned by people I knew and I saw they also had a girl’s team.

They invited me to join them as one of their coaches. I welcomed the opportunity because I’m passionate about community development and I was willing to pass on my knowledge.

AGN – How did coaching young girls change your perspective on leadership and mentorship?

VN: It taught me that a leader needs to be patient and that if your position is bigger than your people’s needs then you have failed as a leader. I also gained a greater realisation about the importance of mentorship in the lives of young girls.

AGN – What challenges did you face while coaching in a community setting, and how did you overcome them?

VN: Some parents didn’t believe in their girls playing soccer because it’s believed to be a boy’s thing. This led to some girls not having soccer boots because their parents would not buy them a pair.

We started collecting soccer boots from people for those girls who didn’t have them and we had a meeting with parents to make them understand that, not only are we keeping the girls safe from less desirable factors but that we are also nurturing their talent which might lead to further opportunities for them.

AGN – Can you share the motivation behind collecting and distributing soccer boots to underprivileged children?

VN: It comes from the experience of coaching girls and as a result, knowing how difficult it can be for some of them to obtain soccer boots. It’s a great feeling for me to see girls receiving their soccer boots with a smile because of my efforts.

AGN – What impact have these boot donation efforts had on the communities you’ve worked with?

VN: Girls seem more happy to play and they tend to participate more actively which is a good way to keep them off the streets. The resultant effect is that they are less likely to engage in destructive tendancies that can impact them and their communities negatively.

AGN – As the firstborn of two daughters, what responsibilities or values did that position instill in you?

VN: There are a number of responsibilities resulting from being a firstborn; not least being a good role model to my younger sister. You are expected to be wise enough to take the lead on some things. As a result of my position in the family I have become a peacemaker, an empath and independence runs within me.

AGN – How would you describe your personality to someone meeting you for the first time?

VN: I’m an introvert who is very curious and loves exploring different experiences. Even though I get along well with people, I appreciate my alone time even more.

AGN – Outside of your professional commitments, how do you like to spend your free time?

VN: I ride my bicycle and attend live music events or sleep.

AGN – Who or what has influenced you the most in becoming the person you are today?

VN: My grandmother and the township.

AGN – What is one life lesson you learned early on that still shapes how you approach challenges?

VN: There’s a Zulu saying that I love and use in my life when things get tough. It says “Ngeke ngihlulwe into engakhulumi” which can be translated to “I won’t be defeated by something that can’t speak”. This saying highlights the importance of strength and resilience to overcome obstacles and challenges.

AGN – Looking ahead, what legacy would you like to leave through your work in sport and community development?

VN: I would like to leave a legacy of self-belief, success and unity. I want young Black people especially in the township to see themselves in my journey and realise “it’s possible”.

AGN – Is there anything further you would like to add?

VN: I just want to say real impact doesn’t end with one person, we need to learn from each other and continue to celebrate our wins together.

Previous ‘Sports Impact’ features are available here; archive

Writer:
Ri Iyovwaye

Editor:
Ri Iyovwaye

on behalf of African Global Networks (AGN) – Jan 2026