NMBM COMMEMORATES YOUTH MONTH AS MORE THAN 7 000 YOUNG PEOPLE COMPETE IN MAYORAL CUP
Published: June 09, 2026<< BACK TO NEWS
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Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality joins the nation in commemorating Youth Month and the 50th anniversary of the historic 1976 Soweto Uprising through programmes and initiatives aimed at empowering young people and creating opportunities for their development.
Celebrated under the theme "RESET@50 – The Future Calls", with the slogan "Our National Commitment to the Future, for Freedom Lives in Every Generation", the commemoration pays tribute to the courageous youth of 1976 whose sacrifices helped shape South Africa's democratic future and serves as a call to action to address the challenges facing today's youth through meaningful opportunities, skills development, economic inclusion and active citizenship.
As part of its Youth Month programme, Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality hosts the Mayoral Cup, which has attracted more than 7 000 participants from across the Metro. The tournament has become one of the Municipality's flagship youth development initiatives, providing a platform for talent identification, social cohesion, healthy lifestyles, leadership development and positive youth engagement.
The tournament, launched on May 2026, showcases the immense talent, potential and resilience of young people across Nelson Mandela Bay while promoting sport as a vehicle for empowerment and social transformation.
Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Executive Mayor, Councillor Babalwa Lobishe, has expressed her excitement at the quality of games and the successful organisation of the Mayoral Cup.
"We are excited to see young people spread across Nelson Mandela Bay showcasing their talent. We continue to commit to this project because we know that a child in sport is a child away from crime and social ills. The current knockout stage is a critical phase leading towards the finals, which will be held as part of the Youth Month celebrations on 16 June 2026," said Executive Mayor Lobishe.
The Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, together with the Nelson Mandela Bay Sport Confederation, are collaborating on the implementation of the tournament.
The Mayoral Cup finals, scheduled for Youth Day on 16 June 2026, will form part of the Municipality's Youth Month commemorative programme and serve as a celebration of youth excellence, determination and achievement.
The participating federations in the 2025/2026 Mayoral Cup are:
- SAFA Nelson Mandela Bay
- Nelson Mandela Bay Netball Eastern Province Rugby
- Nelson Mandela Bay Boxing
- Nelson Mandela Bay Basketball
- Nelson Mandela Bay Volleyball
- Mandela Bay Sport for the Physically Disabled
- Nelson Mandela Bay Sport Confederation
As South Africa marks the Golden Jubilee of the 1976 Soweto Uprising, Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality remains committed to honouring the legacy of the youth who fought for freedom by investing in programmes that create pathways for growth, participation and success for today's generation.
Through initiatives such as the Mayoral Cup, the Municipality continues to demonstrate its commitment to building a future where young people are empowered, included and equipped to contribute meaningfully to the social and economic development of Nelson Mandela Bay.
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