From Munich to South Africa: Building Youth Leadership Through Sport and Partnership
In a weeks time, I'll be in South Africa, marking the latest chapter in a long-term commitment to building capacity, partnerships, and opportunities for young people across the region. As the trip approaches, and with a film to share, it feels like the right moment to reflect on a conversation from last November that captures exactly why that work matters.
Rio Ferdinand, RFF CEO Gary Stannett and ‘The Beast’ Tendai Mtawarira at the 2026 One Young World in Munich.
At the One Young World Conference, in November, I had the privilege of capturing an informal meeting between two legends of their respective sports: Rio Ferdinand and Tendai 'The Beast' Mtawarira.
Between them, 81 England football caps and 117 South Africa rugby test caps, alongside countless Premier League and Super Rugby appearances. Two athletes who have performed at the very highest level and offer much insight into the world of professional sports.
But this wasn't a sporting arena. This was a conference with a singular focus: how we empower young people to become the leaders of tomorrow, building a global movement of social mobility and social action.
In a moment of downtime in a quiet backstage room, I sat down with these two legends of their respective sports and asked them to reflect on their journeys, their communities, and their hopes for their respective Foundations.
Many of you will be aware of the Rio Ferdinand Foundation and its mission. What may be less familiar is that we have a common purpose with Tendai’s own Beast Foundation that works with young people across South Africa, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, and Eswatini to mentor, educate, and help young people reach their potential in life.
As the conversation evolved, there were a few themes that struck me as common ground between two athletes and Foundations divided by 6,000 miles but with similar objectives:
A connection to place: it was clear in the conversation that both have a clear and long-standing connectivity to their respective communities, an understanding of the people who live there and the challenges they face, and a desire driven through experience, to make a difference.
A desire to make a difference: it was clear that both Rio and Tendai want to make a lasting difference to the communities they are from and the society they live in, but also recognise that while they bring kudos and connectivity, having the right infrastructures, partnerships, and people around to deliver that vision is key.
The importance of Partnerships: whether that be financial and resource-led, opportunities and pathways, or working together as organisations to deliver a greater impact, the theme of partnerships emerged over and over (not just in this conversation but in subsequent meetings around the conference).
So, back to South Africa.
Next week in the Western Cape, we will be following up on these themes, recruiting and supporting youth mentors-people who carry that same lived connection and desire to make change in their own communities.
Working in partnership with a range of organisations that share our vision, community groups, educational institutions, and businesses, together we can build a practical application of those words.
I'm particularly looking forward to reconnecting with The Beast Foundation to explore what a genuine athlete foundation alliance could look like, one that extends the reach of the work we each do and carries real influence on a world stage.
And I'm excited to reconnect with the inspiring young ambassadors I met in Munich, as we begin building social capital ahead of One Young World in Cape Town in 2026.
The conversation in Munich planted the seeds. South Africa is where we start to grow them.
I hope you enjoy the film.
