Kwa-Zulu Natal, 29 April 2025 – MTN once again demonstrated its influence beyond the football pitch through its prestigious MTN8 tournament. This year, the brand reaffirmed its commitment to youth empowerment and social upliftment across South Africa, with the MTN8 Last Legend Standing initiative, hosted by Njabulo Manqana, playing a pivotal role in the success of young South Africans at the Njabulo Manqana Youth Festival, held in Ntuzuma, eThekwini on 26 and 27 April 2025.
Launched in 2021, the MTN8 Last Legend Standing initiative continues to make a significant impact by bringing together football icons in a spirited competition for a charitable cause. Each of the eight participating legends compete for a share of R320,000, with the overall winner receiving R180,000, all directed towards causes of their choice. Over the past four years, the initiative has contributed more than R1.28 million to various community organisations across South Africa.
Manqana was crowned the 2024 MTN8 Last Legend Standing, a victory that allowed him to direct his prize money towards his own foundation, The Njabulo Manqana Foundation. As both a football icon and a committed community leader, Manqana has long been dedicated to empowering youth through sport. His foundation reflects his vision of creating opportunities for young people to grow and thrive.
The two-day sporting festival brings together aspiring athletes from Durban showcasing both football and netball competitions that highlight the skills and determination of the next generation. More than just a celebration of sport, the event also addresses pressing social issues such as crime, substance abuse, and the protection of women and children – causes that are deeply personal to Manqana. By using sport as a tool for social change, the festival serves as a platform for inspiring youth and building a brighter, more hopeful future.
“It’s rewarding to see how initiatives like MTN8 Last Legend Standing and the Njabulo Manqana Youth Festival are creating meaningful opportunities for young South Africans,” said Robyn Lewis, General Manager for Brand and Marketing at MTN South Africa. “In the spirit of our newly refreshed brand positioning, dubbed “today we make moves”, we are empowering the next generation to take control of their futures. This is more than just a game; it is a movement towards lasting change. Through sport, we inspire youth, build a brighter future, and shape a generation ready to lead. This collaboration proves that together, we can make the moves that change lives.”
Manqana echoed this sentiment, reflecting on the impact of the event, “The festival is about more than just sport; it is about giving young people the chance to dream and build a better future. I am honoured that MTN and the MTN8 Last Legend Standing initiative has allowed me to support my foundation and continue working towards creating opportunities for youth, while addressing the social issues that matter most.
The success of the festival is a testament to the power of collaboration, as it not only showcased sporting talent but also ignited hope, unity, and transformation within the community.
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