This initiative is a first for both sport and higher education in the country and will see the establishment of a multi-purpose, Chiefs dedicated walk-in centre on the Vaal campus of one of South Africa’s leading and largest educational institutions.
The NWU is one of South Africa’s largest universities with a student number in excess of 65 000 and has for the last six years running been awarded the prestigious PricewaterhouseCoopers award for the country’s best-governed university.
Comprising of three campuses (Potchefstroom, Mafikeng and Vaal), it is internationally known as a preferred sports training venue. The university hosted the 2010 FIFA World Cup football winners Spain at its High Performance Institute, and 19 London 2012 Olympic Games medals was produced by international athletes who trained at this facility in Potchefstroom.
The partnership will benefit the broader community. It is about empowerment of sports people and the community at large. This is also part of the expansion process that we have embarked upon.
These sentiments were shared by Dr Theuns Ellof, vice-chancellor of the NWU: “From the NWU’s perspective as a higher education institution with a track record of education and training as well as development and research in sport, initiatives like these give meaning to our vision”.
“We are excited with the launch of this relationship,” Chiefs Marketing Director Jessica Motaung. “The relationship augers well in terms of expanding the Kaizer Chiefs brand. Bringing the two institutions, North West University and Kaizer Chiefs, will allow us to grow the brand.
“The Innovation Centre will act as an interface between us and our fan base in both the university students and the Amakhosi supporters in the surrounding Sedibeng region. We believe that the Innovation Centre will add value in terms of our community engagements.”
The Kaizer Chiefs Centre of Innovation will be a multi-purpose facility that is to be constructed on the NWU Vaal Campus, comprising the following main elements:
Brand- and Retail Hub
Walk-in centre with modern and digital properties where students, supporters and the local community can enjoy a front to end “Kaizer Chiefs Experience”. Decorated in history and memorobilia of the brand, the above mentioned stakeholders will be able to enjoy fun activities in the centre and purchase product from the wide range of Kaizer Chiefs merchandise offerings.
Research Hub
Scientific research and development centre where NWU academics and - post graduate students can work on strategic projects identified jointly by the two brands within the sport, sport management and South African football arena.
Training Hub
Empowerment centre through training and development of various stakeholders such as local Kaizer Chiefs supporters branches, the Kaizer Chiefs Youth Development Academy staff and organisations involved in local community engagement initiatives.
A formal memorandum of understanding for the establishment of the Kaizer Chiefs Centre of Innovation has been undersigned by both Kaizer Motaung and Prof Mariba and construction of the building is expected to start by the end of 2013. The centre should be fully operational by the middle of 2014.