THE FUSE

The SPAR community has been cheering Jono Kruger throughout his long-distance route from Cape Town to East London as he runs for a cause that really matters – sports education and youth empowerment in Mdantsane.

Cape Town, South Africa (12 November 2025) – Sports for Lives Co-founder and EduSport’s Founder, Jono Kruger, with his laces strapped and a ‘Coach in a Box’ in tow, started his 1125 km run from Cape Town to East London on 1 November, where the early birds were out at the crack of dawn in Kloof Street to cheer him on.

The KWIKSPAR on Kloof owners, sisters Carmen and Savannah Egling, and their staff, along with some supportive Capetonian runners, wished Jono well as he sped on his way.

Sports for Lives is a movement that empowers athletes and changemakers to use sport as a tool for social impact. In collaboration with EduSport Youth, a registered NPC, Jono launched the Vula Mdantsane Run: a 1125 km endurance campaign from Cape Town to East London – to raise funds and awareness for the Coach-in-a-Box programme.

Coach in a Box is EduSport’s mobile empowerment engine, an innovative outreach programme that delivers structured coaching, life skills and mentorship directly into schools and underserved communities. It equips local youth leaders with the tools, curriculum and support needed to run impactful sport, academic and empowerment sessions.

The R1 million fundraising goal will directly support the Coach in a Box programme, creating meaningful employment and mentorship opportunities for post-school youth.

At the launch of the endurance run, Carrick Janse van Rensburg, Retail Operations Director for SPAR Western Cape, spoke on the importance of the retail store chain being a part of initiatives that uplift communities.

“Engaging SPAR stores along the route transforms everyday retail spaces into platforms for community mobilisation, and our support for this initiative brings hope and empowerment to the youth in our poorer communities, through relatable sports mentoring.”

At SPAR stores along the route, the Vula Mdantsane Run team, led by Jono with his Coach in a Box prototype, will create awareness for the Coach in a Box programme and its impact on youth employment.

SPAR has partnered with EduSport in their upliftment work in other areas, providing the necessary funds to construct, inter alia, netball courts and financial support.

Moved by the support, Jono commented:

“SPAR is more than a retailer – it’s a community cornerstone. By supporting the Vula Mdantsane Run, each store we touch on will be championing youth empowerment and education.”

Sources: Supplied

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