Promotion-winning coach Kgoloko Thobejane has been named among the guest speakers for an upcoming grassroots coaching seminar in Limpopo, as organisers seek to strengthen player development in rural communities.
The event, organised by Real Native FC assistant coach Foster ‘Jay Jay’ Hlungwani through the Amukelani Hlongwane Foundation, is scheduled for 10 and 11 November 2026 at Bungeni Stadium.
The initiative aims to equip local coaches with practical knowledge, encourage mentorship and help identify promising football talent in areas where development opportunities remain limited.
Hlungwani Explains Why Thobejane Was Invited
Hlungwani believes experienced coaches such as Thobejane have valuable lessons to offer the next generation of football trainers, particularly when it comes to motivating players and managing relationships.
The pair previously worked together at Baroka FC during the 2010/11 season, giving Hlungwani firsthand experience of Thobejane’s approach to coaching.
“He’s a motivator, that’s one thing for sure,” Hlungwani told FARPost.
“With him as a teacher of football, you will understand the human relations that have to be kept intact. He was not more of a tactical or technical coach, but he is one of the best motivators.”
Hlungwani’s comments underline the seminar’s emphasis on the human side of coaching, alongside the technical and tactical demands of the modern game.
Limpopo Football Development Under Scrutiny
The seminar comes amid concerns from Hlungwani that Limpopo is not producing enough players capable of progressing to the highest levels of South African football.
He argued that the province has fallen behind areas such as KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape, pointing to shortcomings in grassroots coaching development as one of the challenges.
“The first thing is obviously to look at the development of football in our era,” he said.
“We must also look at the events that are being created—are we creating enough players for the highest level? The answer is no, we are not. We have regressed as a province.”
Hlungwani believes coaches are central to reversing that trend because they are responsible for identifying, nurturing and developing young talent.
Through the Amukelani Hlongwane Foundation, he said, the aim is to create more opportunities for coaches working in rural communities.
Experienced South African Coaches Join the Line-Up
Thobejane will be joined by several established figures from South African football, bringing experience from different levels of the game.
The confirmed speakers include former Bafana Bafana assistant coach Owen Da Gama, The Bees coach Joel Masutha, Polokwane City FC coach Willy Moloto, Venda FC development coach Justice Mutileni and former Venda FC assistant coach Solly Luvhengo.
Hlungwani believes these coaches have demonstrated the ability to identify and develop players despite operating with limited resources.
He highlighted their contribution to producing footballers from rural backgrounds, arguing that their experiences could offer practical lessons to coaches facing similar challenges.
Seminar to Combine Coaching Experience With Sports Science
The programme will also incorporate modern football analysis and sports science, reflecting the organisers’ intention to balance traditional coaching experience with contemporary methods.
Contributors are expected to include Kruger United’s Calvin Kadi, Orbit College’s Hleketo Ashla Maluleka, Gavin Masashana of Leicesterford City FC, and Gomora United biokineticist Boitumelo Mapoulo.
Hlungwani said the event was designed to encourage networking and mentorship, allowing coaches to exchange ideas about player development and learn from one another’s experiences.
“The vision was to bring in all the experienced coaches with expertise for networking and mentorship—to share their practical experiences on how they develop players,” he explained.
He added that coaches who had successfully developed players in rural areas could provide valuable insight into overcoming resource constraints.
However, Hlungwani stressed that practical experience alone would not be enough to prepare coaches for the modern game.
“We should not forget about the modern game and what is required today, because you cannot leave the scientific aspect behind,” he said.
Hlungwani Draws on His Own Football Background
Hlungwani brings his own experience of South African football to the initiative, having played for Baroka FC, Winner Park and Dynamos.
He was also part of the Baroka squad that produced a memorable result against Kaizer Chiefs in the quarter-finals of the 2011 Nedbank Cup at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane.
His playing background, followed by his work in coaching, has helped shape his interest in improving opportunities for young footballers and the people responsible for developing them.
Rural Coaches at the Centre of Limpopo’s Football Ambitions
The November seminar is intended to give grassroots coaches access to experienced mentors, fresh ideas and opportunities to build professional relationships.
For Hlungwani, the central challenge is ensuring that talented players in rural Limpopo receive the guidance needed to progress, rather than losing opportunities because of gaps in local development structures.
With Thobejane and a diverse group of coaching and sports science contributors expected to participate, the event will focus on sharing knowledge that coaches can apply within their own communities.
The organisers hope that strengthening coaching standards at grassroots level will help improve the province’s ability to identify and produce players capable of competing at higher levels of the game.
