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By Johnathan Paoli
In a stirring celebration of Mandela Day, London mayor Sadiq Khan has reaffirmed the powerful role of sport in social upliftment and cross-continental cooperation, amid trade missions to Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa.
Khan visited Villagers FC in Claremont, Cape Town, where he engaged with young athletes from the Atlas Foundation South Africa, referencing the iconic image of Mandela in a Springbok jersey during the 1995 Rugby World Cup final as a moment that symbolised a fractured nation beginning to heal.
“Sport has the power to bring people together. Teamwork, leadership, respect, these are values learned on the sports field. They’re also values that prevent young people from being pulled into crime and gangs,” Khan said.
Khan, himself a former human rights lawyer, described his experience as “deeply humbling” and emotionally resonant.
“Nelson Mandela’s vision of equal rights and justice wasn’t just for South Africa. It was a vision for all of us, everywhere,” he said, recalling the powerful impact Mandela had on the UK, especially during his imprisonment.
The mayor’s remarks at Villagers FC linked the legacy of Mandela with the transformational power of sport, particularly for young people facing structural inequality, social exclusion, and risk of crime.
He highlighted the achievements of the Atlas Foundation SA, the local chapter of the UK-based foundation, for its work in empowering youth in under-resourced communities through rugby and life-skills training.
To that end, Khan used the occasion to announce a significant £1.4 million investment into London’s own grassroots sport programmes.
The funds, delivered through the Go! London initiative, the city’s largest ever community sports fund, will support youth development, encourage active lifestyles and help reduce crime in vulnerable communities.
The Atlas Foundation will be a key partner in these efforts in the UK, expanding its model from South Africa to London.
Khan’s visit to Villagers FC comes just months after Prince William toured the Atlas Foundation’s programmes in Ocean View and Masiphumelele, underlining the growing international attention on grassroots sport as a tool for development.
The mayor also used his time in Cape Town to meet with Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis and engage in trade discussions focused on tech, fintech, and sustainability.
He praised Cape Town’s thriving start-up culture and expressed interest in building long-term partnerships between London and Cape Town-based businesses.
“As part of our Grow London Global initiative, we’re inviting South African businesses to expand into London. Whether you’re a start-up or scaling up, we’re here to offer support, funding, and connections. We don’t want to act as patrons, but as equal partners,” Khan said.
In summarising his African visit, Khan reflected on the interconnectedness of social justice, sport, and trade.
The mayor said his visit reinforced the symbolic and practical bridges being built between South Africa and the UK, grounded in a shared belief in equality, opportunity, and the transformative power of sport.
INSIDE POLITICS