Preparations for the third edition of the MUT Schools and Community Cup are well underway. During the second meeting, which was attended by most stakeholders, including representatives from local sports organisations, local schools, and local NGOs. The Deputy Director of the Sports and Recreation Unit at MUT, Siyabulela Mkwalo, again emphasised the need for everyone to take ownership of the event that will take place on 13 and 14 August 2025, at the outer fields of King Zwelithini Stadium. “This is not an MUT event, although MUT founded it. It belongs to all of you, take charge of it,” Mkwalo said. The meeting took place on 18 June 2025, at MUT.
The objectives of the Cup are to forge and strengthen relationship between MUT and the Umlazi community; to create a competitive platform for high school learners and increase learner
participation in extra mural programmes; to identify talent and recruit potential learners to further their careers at MUT; to market the MUT brand to high school learners; to revive sport within the participating schools and empower the learners with life skills; and to eliminate possible anti-social behaviour among active learners, in the quest to develop well-rounded graduates. Mkwalo also said that they were motivated by a desire to unite all the different bodies in the area that are involved in similar sports, and to work independently. He said these bodies share the same goals; they would make an impact if they united and worked together, he said.
The 2025 edition of the event has added another layer, which is why it will take place over two days. On the first day of the event, primary schools will participate in football and netball matches. Another addition will be chess. Mkwalo said they added chess because this sport requires players to think critically and make decisions independently, without assistance from others. It is a very lonely sport. It is a mind-shaking activity; while it was meant to enable the players to master the art of war, it also empowers them with skills to deal with other aspects of life, Mkwalo said.
Mkwalo also informed the LOC members that from then on, meetings will be a time for the different committees to report on the progress of their specific duties.
During this meeting, interlocutors again discussed a few critical issues that will be part of the tournament. Some of these were the rules that would govern the tournament and the criteria for qualification. It was agreed that participants would compile the rules for their sport and submit them for endorsement by the entire local organising committee (LOC) a couple of days before the next meeting. In all cases, the rules must be based on those used by national or international bodies, such as SAFA and FIFA.
The members of the LOC confirmed that the primary criterion for qualification to the tournament will be the performance of the schools; the minimum will be an 80% pass rate. Prior participation in the tournament will not supersede this condition; all members agreed. The list of the qualifying schools will be available just before the next meeting.