Sports & Recreation
Sports & Recreation
KwaMashu's sporting history is rich with local talent, community events, and recent global recognition. The township has a strong football tradition, with KwaMashu All Stars FC playing a key role in nurturing local footballers. KwaMashu also played host to the Velosolutions UCI Pump Track World Championships in 2024, showcasing its burgeoning role in cycling. Additionally, KwaMashu is home to the Princess Magogo Stadium, a multi-purpose venue used for football and other sporting events.
Princess Magogo Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in KwaMashu, a township near Durban, South Africa. It is currently used mostly for football matches and was utilized as a training field for teams that participated in the 2010 FIFA World Cup after being renovated and upgraded in 2009 to meet FIFA specifications.
The stadium is named after Princess Constance Magogo, a Zulu princess who spent much of her life as a singer and composer while developing an understanding for Zulu tradition and culture.
| Location | Mkhiwane Road / Undlondlo Road, KwaMashu, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 29.744249°S 30.971264°E |
| Owner | eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality |
| Capacity | 12,000 |
| Construction | |
| Renovated | 2009 |
| Construction cost | R93 million (2009 refurbishment) |
| Tenants | |
| Milford | |
Princess Constance Magogo Sibilile Mantithi Ngangezinye Ka Dinizulu (1900 - 1984) Awarded for:
A life of prolific musical composition, and outstanding contribution to the preservation and development of traditional music in South Africa.
Profile of Princess Constance Magogo Sibilile Mantithi Ngangezinye Ka Dinizulu
Princess Magogo ka Dinizulu was a member of the royal family and attended school at Mahlabatini.
She was a keen observer and upholder of Zulu culture and tradition.
Princess Magogo was regarded as an authority on Zulu music and is remembered as one of Africa’s greatest composers, musicians and singers. Her talents received a wider audience in 1939, when the late Dr Hugh Tracey made a number of recordings of her performances. She later recorded with the SABC and West German Radio, among others.
Her vast repertoire of solo vocal works included not only traditional songs dating from the time of King Shaka in the early 19th century, but also her own original compositions sung in traditional style.
Through the training of scores of young singers, she also made an unequaled contribution to the preservation of traditional music and musical development in South Africa. Her original songs constitute a significant addition to the corpus of traditional Zulu music.
Princess Magogo’s music remains as compelling now as it was during her lifetime.
Football:
- KwaMashu All Stars FC:This club is a vital part of the community, known for developing local talent, including players who have gone on to play for national teams and in the Soweto Derby.
- Princess Magogo Stadium:This stadium, located in KwaMashu, is a major venue for football matches and was upgraded to FIFA standards for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
- Local Talent:KwaMashu has produced numerous football players, some of whom have reached the professional level, playing for clubs like Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates.
Other Sports:
- Cycling:KwaMashu recently hosted the Velosolutions UCI Pump Track World Championships, attracting global attention and showcasing the township's sporting infrastructure.
- Running:KwaMashu is home to the KwaMashu parkrun, a community-led initiative that encourages fitness and social interaction.
- Sailing:Vuyisile Jaca, a woman from KwaMashu, made history as part of an all-women crew that won the Ocean Globe Race.
Community Involvement:
- KwaMashu community members:They have been actively involved in organizing and supporting various sports and recreational activities.
- Volunteers:KwaMashu parkrun benefits from a dedicated core team of volunteers who make the event a success.
KwaMashu parkrun in KZN launched on 14 January 2017. In the first three years, parkrunners covered over 39,000km on the course. Co-Event Director Sihle Nala tells us more:
How did KwaMashu parkrun come about? The parkrun was set up by some KwaMashu community members that loved running; they did this with the help of Dr Sbongiseni Dhlomo who was then the KZN MEC of health.
They also received assistance from the Princess Magogo stadium; KwaMashu Athletics club; Run/Walk for Life; The KwaMashu sports centre and the department of sports & recreation in the area.
Who helps to make KwaMashu parkrun a success? We have a very dedicated core team of volunteers that go above and beyond to make every event a success.
The main team that has been around since the inception of the parkrun include: Mbongeni Shezi, Siyabonga Mncwabe, Xolani Myeza, Nelisiwe Shandu, Thohoyandou Shange, Sihle Nala, Siyabonga Duma and Sthe Nxumalo.
Some of the volunteers work night shifts; they come straight from work directly to parkrun to volunteer. Some have offered their garages to be used to store our event equipment.
What makes KwaMashu parkrun unique? Our volunteers are very friendly and welcoming. Which is the same for our regular parkrunners. We take group pictures after most events which we share on facebook.
What is the route like? Our route is a four lapper around the stadium. One of our recent visitors commented on how they expected to be bored by the same loop 4 times but they enjoyed it.
What success stories have your parkrunners had? Our current male record holder Mbulelo Mathanga who was a regular at our event. He recently represented South Africa in Hamburg. He dominates the 5,000m and 10,000m races in his category.
