While an action-packed weekend awaits the Gauteng Development League (GDL), the league also bids farewell to its longest-serving Coordinator, Muzi Shangase, who completes his tenure on 31 July after 10 years.
He will be succeeded by the newly appointed GDL Administrator, Mpho Ramoshaba.
Speaking to SuperSport Schools News, Shangase said deciding to step down after a decade of service had been challenging. He said serving the GDL had been about more than employment. It had been, for him, a purpose, a passion, and one of the most significant honours of his professional journey.
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“Over the past 10 years, I have had the honour of working alongside dedicated leaders, committed volunteers, passionate young footballers, coaches, administrators, community partners, and countless supporters who all shared one vision, to create opportunities for young people and strengthen football development across Gauteng,” Shangase said in a statement.
Muziwakhe Dladla, the Academy Manager at Mamelodi Sundowns, who worked alongside Shangase for the past decade, praised the outgoing administrator, emphasising his visionary leadership that made a profound impact on the GDL landscape.
“Through his dedication, he introduced critical frameworks, such as compliance protocols and the GDL handbook, ensuring that the league operated with integrity and accountability,” Dladla explained.
He said Shangase’s leadership in management and administration was highly regarded nationwide and established a standard for both efficiency and professionalism.
“Today, we bid farewell to a true soldier of the game. While we have lost his daily presence, we celebrate his remarkable contributions and wish him every success in the next chapter of his journey. Your legacy will continue to guide and inspire us,” Dladla concluded.
Despite his decision to step down from his position, Shangase said his enthusiasm for youth football development and community empowerment is as robust as ever.
“To every player whose dream began in the GDL, every coach who gave their time, every volunteer who worked behind the scenes, and every stakeholder who invested in our vision – thank you. You have all been part of a journey that I will forever treasure,” he said.
A common theme of gratitude was echoed from around the GDL.
SuperSport Schools News GDL writer, Siya Pongco, said: “Reflecting on my earlier experiences working alongside Muzi Shangase as a sports writer for SuperSport Schools News, I can confidently assert that he significantly facilitated our efforts.
“He enabled us, as reporters, to establish connections with various clubs and stakeholders within the GDL, ensuring they recognised that our objectives were aligned with theirs.
“We (SuperSport Schools News) narrate stories that others may shy away from. We transcend the conventional approach of merely reporting results, instead focusing on the personal narratives of young athletes, coaches, proud parents who travel across the Gauteng province every weekend (to support their kids), as well as sporting directors, founders, and chairpersons of various academies and development clubs.
“Shangase played a crucial role in ensuring we gained access to spaces where, under different circumstances, we, as journalists, would not have been permitted by the aforementioned stakeholders.
At SuperSport Schools and SuperSport Schools News, particularly in the realm of football, we took great pride in witnessing the growth of emerging football talents such as Shandre Campbell, Relebohile Mofokeng, and many others who excelled in development structures like the former Transnet School of Excellence, now Africa School of Excellence, shining in local leagues, on the national stage, and even at the World Cup.
“Some of our most cherished moments occurred in May 2025 when Coach Raymond Mdaka led the South African U20 National Team, known as Amajita, a team largely composed of GDL players, to victory in the U20 Africa Cup of Nations, securing the title for the first time.
“This was one of the most significant and affirming moments regarding the efforts being made in the GDL, which ensures that young players are provided with a platform to compete.
“Shangase commended Amajita for winning the Afcon in 2025, attributing their success to the ongoing structured development pathways. He emphasised the crucial role of the GDL as a feeder for the national development setups in South African football.
“As Shangase embarks on the next chapter of his professional journey, we at SuperSport Schools News extend our best wishes, confident that he will continue to give his all, demonstrating unwavering and unquestionable dedication to the development of football.”
FIXTURES
Saturday, 1 August
15:00
Tuks vs Future of Africa
Siwelele vs Wits Juniors
Seven’s Academy vs PMYF
Africa School of Excellence vs Highlands Park
Rockefvs vs Joburg City
RESA vs Jomo
Randburg vs Kaizer Chiefs
Prestige vs Kathrous
Sunday, 2 August
Catch-up
15:00
Siwelele vs Future of Africa
Seven’s Academy vs Tuks
Africa School of Excellence vs Wits Juniors
Rockefvs vs PMYF
RESA vs Highlands Park
Randburg vs Joburg City
Mamelodi Sundowns vs Kathorus
Prestige vs Jomo Cosmos
