Sports Volunteering In South Africa

Our Surf and Sports Youth Development Volunteer Program is based in the Western Cape, one of the most culturally diverse and vibrant regions of South Africa. Here, you’ll experience the sharp contrast between privilege and poverty — and have the chance to make a real difference in the lives of children growing up in underserved townships.

The Community You’ll Work With

You’ll work primarily with children from Du Noon and Wolwerivier, informal settlements located just outside Cape Town. These communities face daily hardships — many families live in homes made from scrap metal or second-hand wood, often without running water or stable electricity. Around 40% of families are headed by single mothers, and children frequently lack consistent support with schoolwork or structured after-school activities.

The children you’ll meet are mostly Xhosa or Afrikaans South Africans. While most speak English, their home language is usually Xhosa or Afrikaans. Despite their challenges, these children are full of enthusiasm and curiosity — eager to learn, play, and connect with volunteers who believe in them.

Why This Program Matters

Due to limited funding, physical education is often neglected in local pre-schools and primary schools. This gap can lead to physical and mental developmental issues and limits opportunities for teamwork, leadership, and personal growth. Through our sports and youth development program, you’ll help fill that gap — giving children the chance to develop essential life skills like discipline, cooperation, confidence, and resilience.

Your involvement also provides a safe and positive environment that helps steer children away from the social challenges that plague township life, such as alcohol abuse, drug use, and gang recruitment. By giving your time and energy, you’ll help them find purpose, passion, and a sense of belonging through sport.

The Impact

Sports are more than just games here — they are a lifeline. Every lesson you lead helps children develop confidence, structure, and self-worth. For many of them, participating in your sessions may be their first experience of organized sport or structured play. As a volunteer, you’ll witness first-hand how these simple activities can transform lives and strengthen entire communities.

What is involved as a Volunteer in South Africa

Each day brings a mix of rewarding, hands-on activities:

  • Mornings: Work in Educare Centres helping young children develop fine and gross motor skills through play-based activities, movement games, and coordination exercises.

  • Afternoons: Lead or assist in sports sessions for older children. These include soccer, boxing, netball, rugby, swimming, surfing, and skating — all aimed at teaching teamwork, discipline, and healthy living.

You’ll also have the freedom to bring your own ideas and talents — from running a mini-tournament or organizing beach cleanups, to introducing a new sport or fitness workshop. The program is flexible, creative, and deeply community-focused.

Typical Weekly Schedule

Monday – Friday

  • 8:00 AM – Breakfast and prepare for the day

  • 9:00 AM – Morning activities in Educare Centres

  • 12:00 PM – Lunch and short break

  • 1:30 PM – Afternoon sports coaching (surfing, football, etc.)

  • 4:30 PM – Return to the house, relax, explore Cape Town

Weekends:
Enjoy safaris, explore Table Mountain, visit wine estates, or join a surf session on Cape Town’s famous beaches.

Holiday club
During the school holidays, our projects run differently and according to our holiday club schedule. The activities are
dependant upon the weather, length of holiday and number of attendees.

The programme fee is used to cover the entrance for the children only, however, we do try to plan as many free events as possible.

Some details

Volunteer in South Africa Programs Dates

Any Saturday arrival.

This project runs all year round except over the season break when we are closed from the 23rd December to the 2nd January. During this time volunteers may still use the accommodation and will be provided food but projects may not be running.

Days

2025

Days

2026

Days

2027

2.Programs Cost

Below you can find all the program fees in USD $ per person.

Volunteer in South Africa Program Fee Inclusions

  1. Pre-departure guide to South Africa
  2. Airport Pick-up from Cape Town Airport
  3. Shared Room in volunteer house
  4. 3 Meals Monday to Friday. Weekend meals are not included.
  5. Transport to projects
  6. Project training
  7. Project Placement
  8. Project Donation
  9. 24/7 Daily ground support as required
  10. Certificate of appreciation
  1. Flights to the program destination
  2. Medical and travel insurance
  3. Meals on weekends
  4. Personal shopping and gratuities
  5. Local or weekend excursions
  6. Project materials
  7. Project travel costs
  8. Private or air conditioned rooms

Volunteer in South Africa Location

This program is based in Cape Town, South Africa

Cape Town has endless beauty to explore and activities to suit every personality from lying on perfect white sandy beaches, sto action filled days hiking, paragliding, zip lining, visiting the cutest penguins in the world, world heritage sites and lots more.

As a destination, this South African city provides the perfect backdrop for a global volunteer experience. On days off, you’ll wander the cobblestone streets of the city’s brightly styled Bo-Kaap neighborhood or hike rewarding trails in Table Mountain National Park. Nearby, the coastal landscape of Cape Peninsula offers the perfect day trip.

Though these are all highlights of any Cape Town adventure, it’s the experiences you’ll have as a volunteer that are bound to be the most impactful.

South Africa

Volunteer in South Africa Nearest Airport

  1. The nearest airport for this program is Cape Town International Airport (CPT)
  2. Nationals from the European Union, USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand are granted temporary permits and visas are not required. 
  3. Travel Insurance is compulsory on this program.

Volunteer in South Africa Accommodation, Meals and Set Up

Pool area

Volunteers will be staying in one of our volunteer houses with shared bedrooms sleeping 2 – 5 people. All houses are facilitatedwith electricity, WIFI, hot water, a kitchen, communal bathrooms (with shower & toilets), beds with linen and a pillow (notowels). Male and female volunteers will share rooms unless otherwise requested. Upgrades to private single or doublerooms are available at an extra cost.Volunteers are responsible for keeping their own room and volunteer house tidy. Bathrooms are cleaned every day bycleaning staff, and linen is changed once a week. The volunteer houses are walking distance from shops, restaurants,entertainment, bus stops, and the beach.

Volunteers will receive 3 meals a day (Breakfast-Lunch(Self service), and Dinner))
If you have any dietary requirements, please inform us about this before your arrival. We will try our best to
accommodate this, however, you may need to supplement your own food. If snacks are desired there are several grocery stores nearby. There are refrigerators available for volunteers personal food and soft drinks. Tea and coffee will be available free of charge, all other drinks will be at own expense.

What your first week looks like

Pool area

Arrival day

You are collected from the airport and taken to your accommodation. You will be shown around and given a map of the area. You have the day at your own leisure so you can explore the beach, shops, bars and restaurants. In the evening you are served a welcome meal with staff and other volunteers.
PHOTO-2021-09-21-20-07-25

Weekdays

Start the day with breakfast, then learn the local bus system before heading to Cape Town’s city center. Explore historic sites like the Castle of Good Hope and the Grand Parade, or take the cable car up Table Mountain for incredible views. In the evening, return to Table View and relax with staff, guests, and locals at nearby beachfront restaurants and bars.

South Africa Surfing

Weekend

New volunteers will receive their training and additional information on our projects and the areas where you will be working. Our team will take you to the projects as well.

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