BUILDING A BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES

We are a non-profit organisation dedicated to unlocking human potential, building resilient communities, and creating pathways to success through education, development, and sport.

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What we do
A football stadium filled with spectators watching a match, with players on the field and tents set up along the sideline.

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football players scouted

These players were scouted by professional teams at the GKEPF JMF U19 Cup. One referee also turned professional. In 2024, 800 football and netball players took part in the Cup.

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2,000

meals for primary students

2,000 lunches, 200 pairs of school shoes and 100 stationery packs provided to Matsamo and Manyeleti Primary Schools. 32 school uniforms delivered to Mafemani Secondary School.

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1,000,000+

worldwide viewers

In a first of its kind event, the 2024 GKEPF JMF U19 Cup was broadcast live on SuperSport, reaching over one million viewers worldwide.

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An aerial view of a dirt football field. The field has a small group of people standing near the goal and some others scattered around. There are tents and parked cars on one side of the field.
Young James Mayinga playing football.

Our history

James Mayinga is a former professional footballer who enjoyed a distinguished 13-year career in South Africa’s top leagues. He represented a number of respected clubs, including Mamelodi Sundowns FC, Moroka Swallows FC, Bidvest Wits FC, Dynamos FC, Black Leopards FC, F.C A.K, Tembisa Classic FC, and Dangerous Darkies FC. Since retiring from the professional game, James has transitioned into a multifaceted career as a Neuro Life Coach and football analyst for SuperSport, where he shares his deep understanding of the sport with viewers across the continent.

​Founded in 2007, the James Mayinga Foundation (JMF) is a South African non-profit organization rooted in Bushbuckridge Mpumalanga and beyond. Its mission is to uplift underprivileged youth, women, and communities through education, community development, and sport-driven initiatives. JMF is inspired by our founder’s powerful belief: “Inside every self-made man is a poor kid who followed his dreams.” This vision continues to guide our work, unlocking potential and nurturing rural youth to rise beyond their circumstances, creating opportunities that inspire growth, empower individuals, and foster long-term positive change.

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Mission

To Make A Difference by unlocking human potential, building resilient communities, and creating pathways to success through education, development, and sport. We motivate, oversee, and allocate private assistance to foster excellence in underprivileged communities.

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Vision

To build a future where every child can believe in their dreams and access the tools to achieve them. Ploughing a seed of hope where dreams once seemed far-fetched.

Key focus areas

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Education empowerment

Scholarships, academic support, school supplies, and mentorship programmes.

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Community development

Infrastructure upliftment, youth leadership, and skills development opportunities.

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Sport for impact

Building platforms for exposure, discipline, and professional growth.

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Neuro-life coaching mentorship

Empower youth and individuals with mental resilience and personal growth strategies.

Programmes

Group of young female athletes in blue uniforms with medals, celebrating on a stage.

GKEPF JMF U19 Cup

Flagship youth tournament uniting football and netball teams, broadcast on SuperSport in 2024.

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Group of people, including women and men, dressed in safari and outdoor gear, smiling and posing together.

Conservation through sport

Collaboration with SANParks and GKEPF and its member reserves to raise environmental awareness via sports.

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A group of students and adults standing on a stage outside a brick building, with a large crowd seated in front. There is a man speaking into a microphone, and the scene is set in a sunny outdoor area with trees in the background.

Adopt a school

Empowering schools and communities through adoption and support initiatives.

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A man speaking into a microphone during a press conference, seated at a table with four other people, in front of a blue and green backdrop with logos for the James Mayinga Foundation, GKEPF and South African National Parks.

Neuro-life coaching

Mentorship program providing neuro-life coaching to empower youth and individuals with mental resilience and personal growth strategies.

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Partners

Five colorful flags on a grassy field with trees and a cloudy sky in the background. The flags display logos and text for various organizations and foundations, including GKEPF, South African National Parks, Timbavati Transfrontiers, and James Mayinga Foundation.
GKEPF logo.

And its member reserves

South African National Parks logo with an antelope head design above the text

Contact us

Partner with us: donate, volunteer, sponsor.

Phone
+27 78 226 2544

Gold championship trophy on a table with medals, ribbons, and cars in the background, awarded for James Mayinga U19 Champions 2022.
Group of young girls and women celebrating after a tournament, with medals around their necks, on a stage. The girls are wearing blue sports uniforms.
Monitor screen displaying the TV broadcast of the 2024 U19 Cup.
Four people standing in a locker room with two women and two men, holding green soccer jerseys with the text 'U/19 Cup 2024' and a soccer ball graphic.
A Group of people holding red soccer jerseys and banners.
James Mayinga speaking at a podium.
A group of football referees in bright yellow jerseys smling on a soccer field.
A group of young female players celebrating on a stage field with medals, holding a trophy, and smiling for the photo.
Three people wearing black shirts with event logos, talking on a soccer field with bleachers and trees in the background.
A group of young soccer players celebrating on a podium, holding a trophy, wearing medals, and smiling.
A crowd of students in yellow and maroon uniforms gathered outside a brick school building with a group of adults standing on a ledge, some speaking into microphones, during a school event or assembly on a sunny day.
Group of people standing on a stage, some holding donated shoes, with banners of South African National Parks, GKEPF and James Mayinga Foundation in the background.
Group of people standing on a stage, some holding donated shoes, with banners of South African National Parks, GKEPF and James Mayinga Foundation in the background.
People watching a soccer game at an outdoor stadium, with children and adults standing near the sidelines, and a player running past with a soccer ball, during a daytime event.
James Mayinga standing and speaking into a microphone at a conference table.
Group of smiling people, some in ranger uniforms, celebrating indoors with a woman holding a soccer ball, raising fists, and surrounded by others.

“Inside every self-made man is a poor kid who followed his dreams.”

— James Mayinga

James Mayinga speaking at a podium.