In 2012, the first performance team was established. Township children from the surrounding Lwandle and Nomzamo areas played together with children from socially stable backgrounds.
Due to the poor learning conditions, lack of English proficiency and various other daily challenges the children are faced with, Young Bafana inaugurated a compulsory educational programme in January 2014.
Every player is obliged to attend the additional education programme which consists of English, mathematics, computer literacy and life-orientation. Career guidance is offered to the older beneficiaries who are on the verge of completing high school.
Due to the outstanding support of the Nomzamo clinic in Cape Town our players receive general check ups through qualified doctors. A medical report is kept on file for each player.
The academy receives extensive support from interns from around the world, including USA, Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
To date in excess of 60 interns have completed an internship with YB. They are involved in soccer coaching, teaching, marketing, physical training and special projects.
YB experienced a successful 2017 season. The performance from all three teams was impressive.
After being promoted in the league for three successive years, the U18 team finished fourth in the super league. They also made it to the Coke Cup final (biggest national amateur tournament) where the team secured the second place.
The U14 team gained promotion in the 2nd year of competition and completed the league programme unbeaten. The U12 side finished the season in 3rd place, just 3 points off earning promotion in the first year. They also made the final of the knock-out competition.
At the end of 2017 Young Bafana began planning the integration of a senior team. This was implemented at the beginning of 2018 and has proved to be a wonderful aspect of Young Bafana.
Young Bafana has successfully enlarged the educational aspect of our programme. We have two educators who work with our kids to help improve their academic performance. We are proud that four of our children have successfully settled into Somerset West Private school and are flourishing under the instruction there.
Recently two of the former squad players signed contracts with Pro Teams in Cape Town. Furthermore two other players gained a full soccer scholar ship at Colleges in the USA (check "Success Stories").
At the other end of the spectrum, our two stars in the Early Childhood Development programme are enjoying the benefits of schooling in English and continue to thrive in their pre-school.