03 June 2025 | Story: Thabisang Thebeeapelo and Maswoba Raludzingana | Photo: Sifiso Nomzaza
4 minutes read time.
The Vaal University of Technology’s (VUT) Community Engagement Department proudly hosted the Etlang Ko Vaal Africa Day Summit on 21 and 26 May 2025. Held at the Desmond Tutu Great Hall, the summit united diverse stakeholders across sectors to celebrate African excellence while promoting the Vaal region’s development through culture, sport, economic growth, and youth empowerment.
The summit opened on 21 May with an inspiring keynote by Etlang Ko Vaal founder and chairperson, Mrs Maalethola Matube. Sharing the personal motivation behind the initiative, she recounted, “It bothered me when someone asked where I am from, and I said Vereeniging, but they did not know it. Why is the Vaal not known?” Driven to uplift her community, she established Etlang Ko Vaal in 2019 with a clear purpose: “This project is about bringing the world to the Vaal and taking the Vaal to the world.”
A cornerstone of this vision is the promotion of golf tourism as a tool for social cohesion and economic empowerment. Mrs Matube emphasised her dedication to educating women and children, especially those from informal settlements and rural backgrounds, using golf as a sport and a business avenue. Her initiative enjoys active support from the Sedibeng Golf and Bowling Club, comprised of retired educators, doctors, teachers, and farmers. Also in attendance was Virgin Active, whose involvement underscored the event’s broader focus on health, wellness, and holistic community development.
Etlang Ko Vaal’s programmes are designed to benefit women, youth, children, and people with disabilities, groups often overlooked but essential to community growth. The summit featured vibrant performances by local creative artists and poets, celebrating the rich cultural tapestry of the Vaal.
The programme included engaging panel discussions, round tables, and masterclasses, creating a dialogue platform and sharing practical knowledge. A highlight was the participation of Ms Clara Sikelelwa, President of the South African Women in Construction and Built Environment (SAWIC and BE). Established in 1997, SAWIC and BE plays a vital role in empowering women through access to contracts, training, financing, and business networks in the male dominated construction industry. Joining her was a local ward committee member responsible for economic development, who shared valuable grassroots perspectives.
On 26 May, the summit welcomed a powerful address by Mr K V A Muvavariwa from the Republic of Zimbabwe, who spoke passionately about African self-reliance and economic emancipation. He emphasised the importance of youth as Africa’s greatest asset, reminding attendees that over 70 percent of the continent’s population is under thirty.
Mr Muvavariwa critically addressed Africa’s dependency on imported goods, from clothing made in China to fuel sourced from European companies. “We need to start manufacturing,” he stressed. Using Zimbabwe’s 2004 land reclamation as a key example, he discussed the significance of owning land and controlling local resources. He pointed to the sanctions imposed after Zimbabwe’s land reforms as a harsh consequence of asserting sovereignty and as evidence of the high stakes in the struggle for economic freedom.
“Land is the foundation of African prosperity,” he declared. “We are not fighting for iPhones or houses; we are fighting for hope, for a new order.” Mr Muvavariwa’s rousing message was a clear call to action: Africans must lead their development and unite in the fight for genuine liberation.
In her closing address, Mrs Matube again emphasised the transformative role of sports in uplifting communities and promoting African excellence. Reflecting on her journey over two decades ago, she encouraged the youth to take the baton forward.
“Today, the room may be small, but it is filled with future leaders who will challenge and change the status quo,” she said. Addressing students from rural areas, she urged them to seize opportunities and initiate projects that bring about positive change in their communities.
Mrs Matube highlighted initiatives such as the Into Life project and the Clean Everton for Clubs programme. She celebrated the role of the seniors club, a network of retired professionals committed to mentoring younger generations and bridging knowledge gaps. Through sports like golf and soccer, she believes communities can come together and build a more unified, empowered Vaal.
She concluded with a powerful message for the youth: “Do not just study, work, engage, and lift those around you. African excellence is within you, and you must break the vicious cycle of poverty.”
The Etlang Ko Vaal Africa Day Summit 2025 was a resounding success, highlighting the Vaal region’s potential while inspiring a new generation to pursue excellence. With support from wellness organisations, local clubs, and economic development leaders, Etlang Ko Vaal continues to champion inclusive, community led growth focused on youth, women, and marginalised voices.