Picture: Athletics from Curro partaking in South African Schools Athletics Championship/Generic
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
6 April 2026 – The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Limpopo said it has engaged Limpopo MEC for Sport, Arts and Culture, Jerry Maseko over serious concern regarding the uncertainty and apparent mismanagement surrounding the 2026 South African Schools Athletics Championship, which is scheduled to take place from 8–11 April at the Royal Bafokeng stadium in Rustenburg. The DA said conflicting communication from national authorities and organising bodies has left learners, parents, coaches, and provincial departments in a state of confusion.
DA Limpopo spokesperson on Sport, Arts and Culture and Member of Provincial Legislature (MPL), Advocate Franco Marx said while the national Department of Sport, Arts and Culture has purportedly indicated that the event has been postponed due to the unavailability of the venue, other stakeholders have suggested that no final decision has been made. Marx said this lack of coordination is deeply troubling.
“Learners from Limpopo, many of whom have trained tirelessly to compete at this prestigious event, are now faced with uncertainty at the eleventh hour. This comes at the back of last year’s disappointment in Bloemfontein coupled with the failures of the primary school athletic championship event in Cape Town last month, caused by the Limpopo department.
“Equally concerning is the financial impact on the Limpopo Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, which has already incurred significant costs relating to travel, accommodation, and logistical arrangements,” he said.
Marx further said this situation raises serious questions about planning, communication, and accountability at a national level. He added that major events of this nature require proper coordination and confirmed venues well in advance, not last-minute cancellations that place undue strain on provinces and unfairly disadvantage young athletes.
“Maseko has indicated that he is aware of the situation and has further committed to issuing a formal statement on behalf of the department as soon as there is clarity regarding the way forward.
“The DA will continue to monitor this matter closely and will not hesitate to demand accountability should it emerge that poor planning or negligence has resulted in financial losses or prejudice to Limpopo’s learners,” said Marx.
He said they call on Maseko to urgently provide clear, consistent communication and a definitive way forward to affected athletes in Limpopo.
The Guardian 