The Ubunye Challenge Cup 2026
Celebrating young talent, teamwork and conservation across 20 schools in Ngqushwa
What started in 2025 as a community-led celebration of sport, art and creativity has grown into something even bigger.
The Ubunye Challenge Cup (UCC) returned in 2026, expanding from 13 schools in its first year to 20 schools across Ngqushwa with 10 primary schools and 10 high schools. Supported by learners, schools, communities, The Ubunye Challenge, and Kwandwe Rhino Conservation. The UCC created opportunities for young people to discover their talents, build confidence and learn about conservation. It brought together soccer, netball, poetry, debating and art, giving learners the chance to participate in extracurricular activities that are often not available in rural schools.
The Journey Begins with Conservation
In March 2026, the UCC support staff began the programme by visiting all 20 participating schools for conservation sessions. The sessions focused on Grade 6 and Grade 9 learners, introducing them to the importance of conservation and encouraging them to think about how they can contribute towards protecting their environment. The materials were adapted from Kwandwe Rhino Trust. Conservation was not simply a lesson, it became the theme connecting every part of the Ubunye Challenge Cup.
Young People Turn Conservation into Works of Art
Following the conservation sessions, the Art Competition got underway.
Learners were challenged to create an artwork inspired by the theme of conservation. Each school selected its winning artwork, with the winning design set to become the school's logo and feature on its new netball and soccer kits.
For the learners, this was an exciting opportunity to see their creativity become part of their school's identity.
Finding Their Voices Through Poetry
The Poetry Competition gave learners another platform to express themselves.
With conservation as the theme, learners used poetry to share their ideas and perspectives about protecting the environment. Teachers and School Governing Body members served as judges, while learners stepped forward to perform in front of the panel.
The performances surprised and impressed many teachers, who were excited to see their learners showcase talents that are not always given a platform.
One teacher shared:
“I am very happy that Ubunye gave our children this opportunity. I am happy that you learners took the initiative of being part of the competition. I am very impressed with all of you and I am very proud. To us, you are all winners. We hope to see you one day on TV and or being authors."
Debating Conservation and Challenging Ideas
The Debate Competition encouraged learners to think critically, listen to different opinions and confidently express their views.
Each school had a team of 10 learners, with five learners supporting the motion and five opposing it. Teachers took on the important role of judging the debates.
Primary school learners debated the topic:
“Is littering good for our school?”
The high school debate topic was "Is littering good for our country?"
The debates created an opportunity for learners to develop confidence, teamwork, reasoning and public-speaking skills while engaging with important issues affecting their communities and environment.
The Competition Moves to the Field
Then came the sporting competitions!
The netball and soccer tournaments brought the 20 schools together on the playing fields. Matches were played every Wednesday at different schools and community fields across Ngqushwa.
With every game, the competition became more intense. Teams celebrated their victories, learned from their losses and continued fighting for a place in the next round.
As the weeks went by, schools were eliminated until only the strongest teams remained. In the end, two primary schools and two high schools were left in each sporting category, ready to battle it out for the coveted Ubunye Challenge Cup. Mr Speelman, the Principal from Fezeka Primary School shared
I have always loved sport, and we grew up very disadvantaged, sports and these extramural were never a thing in our schools, this is such a great opportunity to all learners. These are the things that we want to see and witness our children doing, the opportunities that we never received. Thank you Ubunye and to all the funders, as the teachers and parents we are grateful.
The Big Day: Ubunye Challenge Cup Finals
After months of learning, creativity, debate and sport, the big day finally arrived.
On 2nd September 2026, the Ubunye Challenge Cup Finals took place in Ngqushwa. Winners for poetry, art and debate, soccer and netball were to be crowned at the awards ceremony. But the day was about more than winning. It was about celebrating every learner who had participated, every teacher who supported them and every community member who helped make The Ubunye Challenge Cup possible. The excitement continued into the afternoon with the Ubunye Challenge Cup Awards Ceremony. For the learners, these awards represented much more than a prize. They represented hard work, courage, creativity, teamwork and the willingness to step forward and try something new.
More Than Just a Cup
The 2026 Ubunye Challenge Cup was more than a competition.
It created spaces for young people to play, create, speak, think, learn and lead. It brought schools and communities together and introduced learners to conservation in ways that were exciting, practical and meaningful.
From 13 schools in 2025 to 20 schools in 2026, the growth of the Ubunye Challenge Cup shows what is possible when communities come together to create opportunities for young people.
The final whistle may have marked the end of the 2026 competition, but the confidence, friendships, lessons and memories created along the way will continue.
