The construction of the Bophelo Gymnasium & Health Club has now been completed, marking an exciting milestone in Kick4Life’s on-going mission to promote health, wellness, and opportunity through sport.
As a part of SESLA (Sport for Education and Sustainable Livelihoods in Africa) and the Sustained Insight and Impact Initiative, backed by the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, the International Olympic Committee (IOC), and Agence Française de Développement (AFD), the social enterprise will now take shape as a modern fitness and wellness space at the Kick4Life Centre.
As well as generating income to support Kick4Life’s wider work, the gymnasium will promote staff wellbeing and support strength and conditioning of K4L players and Academy scholars. Targeted sessions will also be delivered for marginalised community groups, including older people and children with disabilities, to promote healthy living and to tackle social exclusion.
As with all of our social enterprises, we also aim to provide young people with employment and training opportunities, and we are delighted to announce that two young leaders – Mpho Mots’oane and Teboho Phasumane – have now achieved Level 3 Diplomas in Gym Instructing and Personal Training. They are now working hard to equip the gym and put in place the necessary plans and structures to ensure that, when it opens, Bophelo offers an exceptional gym experience.
For Mpho, sport has always been part of her identity. Raised in a family where both her parents were active in sport, she developed a deep love for movement, competition, and teamwork. From primary school to university, she immersed herself in athletics, dance, basketball, and martial arts, learning early on about resilience and leadership. When an injury ended her playing career, she found a new calling in sports science, and after completing her studies she joined Kick4Life as a volunteer Sports Scientist. Within the organisation’s inclusive and innovative environment, she thrived, applying her knowledge to support teams and community participants, and developing a strong passion for fitness education.
Mpho says: “This experience has shaped me personally and professionally. I’m deeply grateful to Kick4Life for believing in me and investing in my growth. I look forward to using my knowledge to inspire others to live healthier, more empowered lives.”
For Teboho, her story also began with a foundation in sport. Introduced to Taekwondo by her father at the age of four, what started as a family routine soon became a lifelong passion. Over the years, she rose through the ranks to become the No.1 -64kg junior female Taekwondo athlete in Southern Africa in 2019. Her athletic achievements, combined with a deep love for working with young people, led her to join Kick4Life in 2023 under the Lesotho United Programme as a Life Skills Coach. There, she helped girls build confidence, discipline, and resilience through sport, discovering along the way her growing interest in fitness and coaching. When Kick4Life announced plans for the new gym, Teboho saw it as the perfect opportunity to expand her impact.
Teboho says: “Standing here today as a qualified gym instructor feels like a dream come true,” she says. “If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that your dreams don’t expire. With passion, faith, and perseverance, you can turn them into achievements.”
We are now seeking sponsors and donors to help us fully equip the gym and to run an extensive programme of sessions for vulnerable community groups. To discuss how you can support us, please get in touch: steve@kick4life.org
