The Madibaz Football Club are set to strengthen their resources after signing a landmark three-year twinning agreement with Highbury FC last week.
The memorandum of understanding formalises a long-standing relationship between the two Gqeberha entities, creating a structured partnership set to benefit both parties.
Under the agreement, Highbury, the only team in the Eastern Cape competing in the Motsepe Foundation Championship, will use the facilities at the 2nd Avenue campus in Summerstrand as their training base.
They will continue playing their home fixtures at Gelvandale Stadium in the city.
Highbury are currently third on the log after starting their season with an unbeaten run of six matches – the most recent of which coming at the weekend when they defeated Black Leopards 1-0.
The joint venture aims to establish a high-performance football programme that aligns with Mandela University’s vision to be a leader in sport, education and youth development in both the province and South Africa.
Madibaz football manager Mark Tommy said the agreement’s key objective was to enhance football as a sport at the institution through the sharing of coaching structures, facilities and other resources.
At the same time, it empowers student-athletes by providing academic and sporting pathways.
Signing the memorandum of understanding between Mandela University and Highbury Football Club last week at the 2nd Avenue campus were, from left, Sharon Masiza, senior director of 2nd Avenue campus, Dr Sibusiso Mchunu, dean of students, Cameron Klopper, chairman of Highbury, and Vuyo Bongela, director of sport. Photo: Supplied
“We are delighted that two icons of the sport have come together through education and football,” Tommy said earlier this week.
“The dual pathway is very relevant for us in sport and higher education and it’s something Highbury aspires to as well.”
He added that the relationship dated back to 2012, making it especially rewarding to formalise the partnership he believed would lead to a training centre of excellence at the university.
The collaboration, he said, would enhance Madibaz’s competitiveness in tertiary competitions and give players access to a professional pipeline through Highbury.
The latter’s chairman, Cameron Klopper, said the partnership was a very personal step for him.
“We used to train and play our fixtures at this facility when we were in the Vodacom League,” he recalled. “We almost got relegated while based here.”
He is excited about widening the club’s recruitment pool while hoping that the Highbury link will be an incentive for talented youngsters to study at Mandela University.
Madibaz Sport director Vuyo Bongela said the collaboration spoke directly to the department’s philosophy.
“It’s been proven that students who play sport tend to do well academically, and partnerships like these strengthen our offering.”
In addition, she said, the university also enrolled students from schools where sport was not necessarily a priority and that this move “can help us nurture their potential”.
Bongela believes such initiatives are crucial to grow university sport.
“We have facilities to offer and Highbury bring football expertise. We hope this partnership sets a precedent for other sport codes.”