The Football School of Excellence, once a cornerstone of South African
football talent development, is poised for a significant comeback.
Businessman Siviwe “Chippa” Mpengesi’s company, Chipcor Developers, has been
officially appointed as the new custodian of the historic institution.
This decision concludes a lengthy search process initiated by Transnet,
which had temporarily taken over the school to ensure its survival after it
faced financial difficulties under previous management. As running a
football academy falls outside its core operations, Transnet launched a
formal search for a permanent, experienced owner, ultimately selecting
Chipcor after a competitive bidding process.
The revival plan is comprehensive, aiming to re-establish the school as a
national hub for young talent. Key upgrades are planned for its training
facilities, academic classrooms, student residences, and security
infrastructure. The vision is to create a modern centre of excellence that
attracts promising boys and girls from across the country, offering them
elite football coaching alongside a strong academic curriculum, life skills,
and personal development programs.
To achieve this, Chipcor intends to collaborate with a wide range of
partners, including SAFA, the PSL, various government departments, the NYDA,
the Ekurhuleni Municipality, and corporate social investment programs.
The development ambitions extend beyond the pitch. A key part of the plan
involves constructing a top-tier commercial hotel on the campus, leveraging
its prime location less than 10 minutes from OR Tambo International Airport.
This hotel is designed to boost local tourism and commerce, integrating the
school into a broader, sustainable development ecosystem for the Ekurhuleni
region.
