Kholosa Biyana is well-known for her skill on the soccer pitch, but her philanthropic endeavours are equally special. The Banyana Banyana player realised she wanted to uplift disadvantaged communities as she wants to make fundamental change to those who need it. This is how the Kholosa Biyana Foundation was formed in 2023.
“When I was in the national team, we used to visit different schools, including one that had children living with disabilities. The joy I felt interacting with them, I then decided I needed to be part of their family.” she said.
“When I played at the Women’s Soccer World Cup, I realised there’s a lot I needed to do for my community; they stopped playing sports, and crime started increasing. From there, I then decided I needed to do something, and that is how it all started.”
Banyana Banyana Star and Kholosa Biyana Foundation Founder, Kholosa Biyana
Biyana explains that the objective of her foundation is to create equal opportunities for young girls and boys in under-resourced communities. She says it’s important to create a positive environment for the youngsters to dissuade them from succumbing to social ills.
“We are trying to promote a society where every child, regardless of their ability, has access to quality sport and educational opportunities that unlock potential and foster sustainable personal growth.”
“We are trying to break social, ethical, and economic barriers. It’s a platform for people of all ages and abilities to participate. We are also trying to create a positive outcome for crime and drugs, promote an active lifestyle, and improve the wellbeing of people in our community.”
“We want to reach more communities in and around the Eastern Cape. We are hoping we could get more sponsors to support the program so that we make a difference in the communities,” she added.
At the start of the year, the Kholosa Biyana Foundation held a soccer tournament in the Eastern Cape, including three teams from the Sasol League. The footballer says she wants communities to thrive, and to do this it needs more than just talent, it needs sponsors.
“Sponsors act as the bridge between raw potential and actual opportunity. If we as a foundation want to help ten people in the community, when they support us, we are able to change 100 lives. Large corporations have a duty to reinvest in the people who support their business. By reaching into under-resourced areas, they help create a more stable, healthy, and skilled society.
“Sponsorship is the engine that turns a local vision into a community-wide reality. When companies like Adidas or Spar step in to support an initiative like the Kholosa Biyana Foundation, they didn’t just put their logo on a banner; they provided the “fuel” needed to reach people who are often overlooked, these included soccer boots, playing kits, and grocery vouchers.”
As someone who knows how tough it can be when it comes to gaining sponsorship, Biyana reflects on the fact that she can now assist youngsters.
“I am proud of the fact that I can bring someone with me, that I put a smile on someone’s face, it brings joy that I have a positive influence in the lives of people in my community and around the Eastern Cape. I am super proud that I brought sports back; now people know it’s possible.”
She feels that there needs to be a focus on schools and the grassroots level, where investment needs to take place to ensure that growth happens in the women’s game.
“We need to go back to the roots, invest more in school sports. When we produce better players, the women’s league will be attractive, which will in turn be seen in the national junior teams and Banyana Banyana. That will then attract corporations to invest in the women’s game.”
“We all need to start somewhere; it’s not just about investing but also about how the sponsors will get visibility and how they also benefit from it. Leaders need to be accountable and responsible. Profit might not be seen now, but definitely if we invest in the development, results will be seen in the future.”
As someone who has benefited from sponsorship, he says it’s important that he is able to give back with the Kholosa Biyana Foundation.
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“I understand that someone also invested in my development; therefore, I need to do the same, and it is important to do it while I still play.”
“I believe when I make it, I need to bring someone with me. I want to see players becoming better people and better players than I was… One little investment can make a huge difference in someone else’s life.”
Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies team is the perfect example of how players will thrive when you invest in women’s sport. Biyana says being part of a team that is a trailblazer in women’s football.
“I believe Mamelodi Sundowns is committed to women’s sports; they have always been this way in showing commitment to changing our lives. Their academy now starts from U13, which tells you about how brave they are.”
“That is why the team has performed consistently in the league, equal access to resources, invested in the study of the women’s first team players, hiring qualified staff members, and not so long ago appointed Head of Women’s Football. For that reason, you see us thriving, see how many players from the team represent the national team. It is an honour to be part of this team.”
Staying with her team, they sealed yet another league title last season, so what can we expect from the team for the 2026 campaign?
![Biyana: “If we as a foundation want to help ten people in the community, when [sponsors] support us, we are able to change 100 lives.”](https://gsport.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/20260211-NL-Sponsorship-Kholosa-Biyana-3-IG.jpg)
“It is important that we stay consistent, and it all starts now in pre-season. The effort, the attitude, and the energy needs to be positive. We need to work hard so that we do better than we did in the past season. Last year was a disappointing season for us. We need to go back to the CAF Women’s Champions League, and we need to do that by winning Cosafa.”
“Now we know and understand how our coach wants us to play, we need to work harder, become better players and better people than we were in the past season.”
Main Photo Caption: Banyana Banyana star Kholosa Biyana makes commercial strides in using her foundation to create equal opportunities for youth in under-resourced communities, proving that investment in grassroots sport is key to unlocking potential and fostering growth. All Photos: Supplied
Photo 2 Caption: At the start of the year, the Kholosa Biyana Foundation held a soccer tournament in the Eastern Cape, including three teams from the Sasol League.
Photo 3 Caption: Biyana: “If we as a foundation want to help ten people in the community, when [sponsors] support us, we are able to change 100 lives.”
