The early birds were out at the crack of dawn for a good cause in Kloof Street, Cape Town recently.  Co-founder of Sports for Lives, Jono Kruger, started his 1125 km run from Cape Town to East London. The KWIKSPAR on Kloof owners, sisters Carmen and Savannah Egling, and their staff, along with some supportive Capetonian runners, wished Jono well as he sped on his way.

Sports for Lives is a movement that empowers athletes and changemakers to use sport as a tool for social impact. In collaboration with EduSport Youth, a registered NPC, Jono launched Vula Mdantsane - the 1125 km endurance run from Cape Town to East London - to raise funds and awareness for the Coach-in-a-Box programme.

Coach-in-a-Box is EduSport’s mobile empowerment engine, an innovative outreach programme that delivers structured coaching, life skills and mentorship directly into schools and underserved communities. It equips local youth leaders with the tools, curriculum and support needed to run impactful sport, academic and empowerment sessions. The R1 million fundraising goal will directly support the Coach in a Box programme, creating meaningful employment and mentorship opportunities for post-school youth.

At the launch of the endurance run, Carrick Janse van Rensburg, Retail Operations Director for SPAR Western Cape, said, “Engaging SPAR stores along the route transforms everyday retail spaces into platforms for community mobilisation and our support for this initiative brings hope and empowerment to the youth in our poorer communities, through relatable sports mentoring.”

At SPAR stores along the route, the Vula Mdantsane Run team, led by Jono with his Coach-in-a-Box prototype, will create awareness for the Coach in a Box programme and its impact on youth employment.

SPAR has partnered with EduSport in their upliftment work in other areas, providing the necessary funds to construct, inter alia, netball courts and financial support.
Jono commented, “SPAR is more than a retailer - it’s a community cornerstone. By supporting the Vula Mdantsane Run, each store we touch on, will be championing youth empowerment and education.”
 

SPAR stores en route: Start [1 November]: KWIKSPAR On Kloof, SPAR Express Paarl Junction, SPAR Q Square Worcester, SUPERSPAR Robertson, SUPERSPAR Swellendam, SPAR Heidelberg, SUPERSPAR Riversdale, SPAR Hartenbos, SPAR De Dekke Groot Brak Rivier, SPAR Wellington Square George, SUPERSPAR Knysna, KWIKSPAR Beacon Isle Plettenberg Bay, SUPERSPAR Jeffreys Bay, SUPERSPAR Hunters Gqeberha, KWIKSPAR Colchester, SAVEMOR Alexandria, SUPERSPAR Rosehill Port Alfred, SPAR Peddie, SUPERSPAR Nicks Foods Qonce and Finish [25 November]: SUPERSPAR Mdantsane / City Hall East London.