Building community spirit as pickleball grows in Africa

“Pickleball is more than a game—it’s a bridge between generations, cultures, and communities” – Dr Joshua Awesome”

MEMEL, South Africa — On a crisp morning in the small town of Memel in the Free State, an extraordinary scene unfolded on Africa’s first dedicated pickleball courts, located within walking distance of the Memel Organic Resort. More than 200 players and spectators — spanning five nationalities and multiple generations — gathered to celebrate a sport quietly making inroads across South Africa. The event coincided with the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, as recognised by the United Nations.

Often described as a hybrid of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong, pickleball has become a social and physical outlet for many in the region. Steve Ablondi, founder of Africa’s first pickleball court, has played a pivotal role in expanding the sport across multiple South African cities and establishing structured training programmes. Working alongside him are Coach B and Pieter Terblanche, the founder of Pickleball Africa and a Strength and Conditioning Coach for the Sharks Academy.

“We started in Durban with just a handful of players,” Terblanche recalled. “Now, we have five permanent venues. Our goal is simple: to bring kids and families together through sport.”

However, the journey hasn’t been easy. When Terblanche first encountered the game at a local tennis club, there were no dedicated courts, and few people knew about the sport. Then came the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We played a lot of pickleball during the lockdown,” he said. “That period helped us refine our mission and strategy.”

The power of inclusivity

Among the international participants was Antoinette, a retired physician from Florida, USA, who first picked up a pickleball paddle in 2012. Now 65, she sees the sport as more than just a game — it’s a way to stay active and socially connected.

“I love how it brings people together,” she said. “Age doesn’t matter. I play with both youngsters and seniors, and we all laugh, cheer, and simply enjoy being on the court.”

For Antoinette, the highlight was witnessing players from different racial and economic backgrounds unite through their shared love for the game.

“I’m seeing people who may have never interacted otherwise, playing together and supporting one another. That’s special,” she said. “Pickleball is a friendly sport. You don’t need to be highly skilled to enjoy it. The court is smaller than a tennis court, so it’s not as physically demanding. You can simply focus on having fun.”

A cultural exchange on the court

This sentiment was echoed by Pule Setai, chairperson of the Drakensberg Club (DKBC).

“This is our second international pickleball tournament, thanks to support from our friends abroad,” he said.

Setai, who almost missed his match due to exhaustion, credited a last-minute cup of Organo Gold’s organic Ganoderma-infused coffee for revitalizing him. His practice match against Antoinette turned into an unexpected moment of cultural exchange.

“The little things stood out—the way she held her racket, the conversations we had between points,” he reflected. “This tournament isn’t just about competition. It’s about bridging cultures through sport.”

A symbolic beginning

Before the first serve, more than 100 children from a local primary school — whose pickleball courts were built with support from Memel Global — gathered to sing Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika, South Africa’s national anthem. The powerful hymn, a prayer for unity and blessing, set the tone for a day that emphasized the role of pickleball in fostering inclusion.

The tournament featured a diverse range of participants, including a housekeeper from the Memel Organic Resort, who played a historic game alongside her son in Zamani township.

Steve Ablondi noted the transformation of players like Mimi Joe, who had taken up pickleball just a few months earlier.

“She smiles more now,” he said, emphasizing the sport’s impact on individuals beyond physical fitness.

Ablondi also praised Cindy Burns, his wife and the tournament’s lead organiser, who ensured that players from South Africa, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, the USA, and Italy all shared a nourishing, healthy breakfast together — strengthening the bonds of friendship off the court.

Silent impact

While conversations with international players, founders, and club chairs filled the day, one silent moment stood out: an attempted interview with a young ball boy who refused to speak.

“For me, that was instructional and inspirational,” said one of the event organisers. “Sometimes, you don’t need words to see the impact a sport has on people. Just watching him — his focus, his enthusiasm — was enough to tell the story.”

As pickleball continues to grow in South Africa and across the African continent, its future looks bright. From grassroots efforts in Durban to international tournaments in Memel, the sport is proving to be more than just a game — it is a movement, a community, and a bridge connecting generations and cultures.

And as Ablondi, Terblanche, Setai, Antoinette, and many others continue to rally together, one thing is clear: pickleball in Africa is just getting started.

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