Jwaneng Galaxy, Gaborone United, Mochudi Centre Chiefs and Namibian champions African Stars will headline this year’s Debswana Jwaneng Mine GM’s Soccer
Fiesta, bringing together some of the region’s biggest clubs for a three-day football spectacle from July 31 to August 2.
But while the tournament promises top-level action on the pitch, organisers say its greatest success lies in its impact off it. Since its launch in 2022, the event has raised funds for community projects in and around Jwaneng, including the establishment of a women’s football team, the refurbishment of school hostels and the construction of a clinic in Betesankwe.
Now entering its fifth edition, the tournament has become a model for how football can be used to drive community development, with proceeds from each edition channelled into projects that benefit local residents. Local Organising Committee (LOC) vice chairperson Njabulo Gilika said the tournament was created to ensure football delivers benefits beyond the game itself.
“What started as a football tournament has grown into a platform for community development,” Gilika said.
Since its inception, proceeds from the tournament have been invested in community projects. In 2023, the event raised P225,000, which was used to establish the Jwaneng Galaxy women’s team.
“We found it fit to support the girl child through the women’s team,” Gilika said. The tournament expanded in 2024 with the participation of Zimbabwean side Highlanders. The event attracted about 4,000 spectators and raised P750,000, which funded the refurbishment of hostels at Mogale Junior Secondary School. More than 200 learners benefited from the project.
Last year, attendance increased to around 8,000 spectators and fundraising reached P1.4 million. The proceeds financed the construction of a clinic in Betesankwe, which was officially handed over on July 17.
“This shows that there’s continuous growth. This means we can impact more,” Gilika said.
This year’s tournament will see hosts Jwaneng Galaxy face strong competition from Gaborone United, Mochudi Centre Chiefs and African Stars. Gilika said the inclusion of regional teams helps improve the quality of competition while raising the profile of the event across Southern Africa.
However, he said sustaining the tournament’s growth will depend on continued support from the corporate sector.
“We are pleading for them,” he said of potential sponsors.
One of the tournament’s long-term partners is Barloworld Equipment, which has again provided financial support this year.
Speaking on behalf of the company, Derrick Musa said community impact remains central to its involvement.
Barloworld Equipment, which has operated in Botswana for more than 60 years, has contributed about P400,000 to this year’s tournament. While that is lower than last year’s P1 million contribution, Musa said the company remains committed despite difficult trading conditions.
“Even in the current challenging economic environment we have sponsored with about P400,000. Last year we pumped about P1 million. We pleaded with Debswana to reduce the amount because the trading environment is not favourable,” Musa said.
