Page 16 - Landscape-Issue148

PROJECT

• benches and tables have been provided
for spectators to relax and look out over
the pitch. This forms an extension of the
social enterprise space, where they can
also enjoy evening training sessions;
• four containers will be converted into
changing rooms with lighting, plumbing
and ablution facilities for spectators;
• solar powered lighting will be installed;
• the project minimises the use of concrete,
only using it for the foundations of the
wooden poles.
Biodiversity stand
The biodiversity stand is a feature that will
showcase indigenous flora from Lesotho’s
three eco-regions, promoting biodiversity Stadium of Life west seating
and raising awareness of the important
relationship between sport and nature. It
will also feature a small amphitheatre – the
Theatre of Life – for the delivery of education
programmes and cultural performances.
Once complete, a detailed article on the
stand will be featured in a future issue of
Landscape SA.
Social change and enterprise
The stadium is an instrument for social
change, and the new facility will extend
the impact of the existing centre, providing
space for football-based and social impact West and south stands
programmes, as well as serving as a home
ground for football teams. The stadium
has been designed as a multi-purpose
facility that extends beyond sport to also
act as a hub for activities such as climate
change education, gender empowerment,
academic tutoring, health testing and
entrepreneurship training.
The Stadium of Life aims to connect
football and nature, encouraging people
to consider sport’s impact on the natural
environment.

Partners in the project
Kick4Life is a non-profit charity, social
enterprise and football club that uses
sport as a tool for social change. It delivers
community programmes for the youth and
vulnerable children, focusing on health,
education, employability, gender and
climate action.
rise International is non-profit social
enterprise operating in Lesotho and Kenya.
It focusses on economic development
through job creation, skills development
and entrepreneurship in the built
environment. It partners with communities
that identify infrastructure development The new artificial turf surface of the 5-a-side soccer pitch
needs to bring about positive social impact
and improvements.
The Forest Stewardship Council is a Leveraging its global experience and the project represents a major shift in sports
non-profit organisation that provides expertise, DNV is committed to ensuring infrastructure, combining sustainability,
responsible forest management solutions. that the project adheres to strict social impact and cultural representation. “It
It is widely regarded as the most rigorous sustainability and forest management aims to inspire communities and set a new
forest certification system amongst NGO’s, methods, as outlined by the FSC through benchmark for environmentally responsible
consumers and businesses to tackle the their auditing and certification services. practices in sports development,” she states.
challenges of climate, deforestation and
biodiversity. New benchmark Information provided by the Forest Stewardship
DNV is an international certification, risk Daniela Gusman, founder and executive Council. Photos provided by rise International.
management and training organisation. director of rise International, believes that The Project License Code is FSC-P001979. n

14 Landscape SA • Issue 148 2025 Check us out www.salandscape.co.za