North-West University Vaal Triangle Campus - Kaizer Chiefs Football Club and the North-West University (NWU) have officially entered into a partnership to construct the “Kaizer Chiefs Centre of Innovation” on the NWU Vaal Triangle Campus, situated in Vanderbijlpark, Gauteng. This pioneering initiative is a first for both sport and higher education in the country and will see the establishment of a multi-purpose, Kaizer Chiefs dedicated walk-in centre on the Vaal campus of one of South Africa’s leading and largest educational institutions.

The ground breaking announcement was made by the Executive Chairman Mr Kaizer Motaung and the Rector of North West University Vaal Campus Prof TJ Maribe at a gathering held at the Vaal Campus of the NWU. The announcement was attended by the members of the media, NWU Management and staff, Chiefs Board Members as well as Management.

kaizerchief.com caught up with the visibly enthralled student body at the Chiefs and Vodacom activation held at the Student Centre of the NWU.

Project Manager at the NWU Ederick Stander:

“This is wonderful and a special moment to see the excitement that the two big brands are bringing to the students. The excitement is visible, the two brands identify with so many people. It is now up to us to build this synergy going forward. From today it is all about setting goals and landmarks for now and the future. The construction of the Innovation Centre will start in the next few weeks.”

B Com Management student and Student Representative Secretary General Musa Mohanedi:

“What we witnessed here today is a good initiative and a good engagement. We are looking forward to the Innovation Centre to develop solutions for the footballers and the communities around the university. As the SRC, we will ensure that through our SRC Sports Officer and the university Sports Department, this initiative is sustained and grow bigger for the benefit of all concerned. This is really great.”

Students Emmanuel Pila and Tholagele Shongwe were over the moon to witness and be part of the activation:

“I am a supporter of Chiefs and this means a lot to me. It shows that Chiefs care about the students. This is a first here and to me it shows that things are improving at the university’” said Pila.

It is a great moment. Actually it is the first time I see the Chiefs players in flesh. I am very happy to see this live,” the ecstatic Shongwe added.

Chiefs’s Retail and Supporters Club Manager Emmanuel Khumalo:

“Things went well today, quite well, I must say. The Club Membership has sold well and merchandise too went according to the plan. We must build up on this one, engaging with student body and the youth is the future. This will also increase attendances at the matches. The Activation at the campus is refreshing in terms of drawing the attention of the students to the game and Amakhosi as a sports and entertainment brand.”

Elation exploded when the Marketing Director Jessica Motaung and the players, Josta ‘JD’ Dladla, Lucky ‘Sheriff’ Baloyi, George Lebese, Erick ‘Tower’ Mathoho and Lorenzo ‘Freedom’ Gordhino took to the stage, to greet the students. Before they took to the stage, Jessica and the players were greeted by a long queue of students at a photo shoot stand. The students were patient and took turns to meet and greet their stars.

After the proceedings the players shared in one sentiment: “It is always a pleasure to come closer to the supporters. We enjoyed the opportunity to interact with the students and through the partnership with the university; we hope that this kind of interaction will become a norm for the players.”

The neatly organised day of events included students been treated to a variety of fun and games and prize giveaways courtesy of the Amakhosi’s main sponsor Vodacom.

The Marketing Director who has worked tirelessly with her team to ensure that the event happens, echoed the Executive Chairman Mr Kaizer Motaung's words:

“I am particularly thrilled to note that whereas we are hosted in the Vaal Triangle Campus of the University, we are essentially stretched into the Potchefstroom and Mafikeng campuses of this credible and influential institution. I am also mindful that four out of five in this assembly and those in the periphery can identify and embrace the gold and black colours of a South African social and business brand whose influence expands beyond pulsating ninety minutes of football battlegrounds,” The Chairman said this during his address on Friday afternoon.

“I would like to thank you for supporting Chiefs and Vodacom. We love you and through this partnership we will be engaging with you on a regular base from now onwards,” said a visibly delighted Jessica Motaung waving to cheering students.

The day of announcing the new partnership between the Amakhosi and the North West University can be best described through the words of Eda J Le Shan: “The new baby is like the beginning of all things-wonder, hope, a dream of possibilities.”