Uplifting Young Talent Through Sport: The Mmako Foundation's mission to create opportunity where it's needed most
In a world where opportunity isn’t always evenly distributed, some individuals choose to become the bridge between potential and possibility. Dalen Mmako is one of those individuals.
An attorney by profession and a cricketer at heart, Dalen has quietly been changing the game for children in South Africa, literally. What began as a dream to start a cricket academy during his university years has since evolved into the Mmako Foundation, an officially registered NPO dedicated to uplifting young talent through sport.
Currently focused on cricket, with plans to expand into hockey, the Foundation serves 36 boys and girls from an Urban township which forms part of the City of Tshwane, grouped into Under 9 and Under 11 teams. These children, many of whom attend schools without access to sports facilities, now get the chance to learn, play, grow and dream.
For Dalen, his motivation is personal and powerful. A former Tuks and Northerns Cricket player, he began coaching at the age of 16. Today, he serves on the Executive Committees for both TuksCricket and University Sport South Africa Cricket. Despite a demanding career as a Commercial Attorney in Sandton, he dedicates his spare time to running coaching sessions, managing logistics and shaping young lives.
His commitment doesn’t stop on the field. Dalen is also an ultra-marathon runner who recently completed the 2025 Comrades Marathon. This was Dalen’s 3rd Comrades Marathon, however, he didn’t run it for himself, he ran it for his team, for the boys and girls who dare to dream. Using the race as a fundraiser, Dalen raised awareness and support for the Mmako Foundation, showing the same perseverance and heart that he instills in the young athletes he coaches.
“I will always remember this race. On one of the most mentally grueling days of my life, I finished the arduous run. Carrying me over the finish line was the pledge I had made to the foundation’s true stars, our young cricketers. Your support and sponsorship has brought us that much closer to making dreams come true”, expressed Dalen with appreciation.
The Foundation’s progress has been remarkable for such a young initiative, less than a year since formal registration. The players recently participated in the Tuks Winter Tournament, gaining crucial game time and exposure. However, like most grassroots movements, the Mmako Foundation faces real challenges.
The greatest needs?
Access to proper facilities, transport, food, kits, equipment, coaching support and even a container to use as an office or storeroom. For now, training takes place on adapted tennis courts and while Dalen has personally carried much of the financial load, a handful of sponsors, including LearnMe, have stepped in to help turn this vision into a sustainable model of upliftment.
At LearnMe, we believe in the transformative power of sport and mentorship. That’s why we’re proud to support the Mmako Foundation. It’s more than sponsorship, it’s an investment in the future of South Africa.
When young people are given structure, support and someone who believes in them, the trajectory of their lives can shift in extraordinary ways.
The Mmako Foundation isn’t just about cricket. It’s about courage, connection and creating something bigger than the game. It’s about unlocking potential that might otherwise go unseen.
And that’s the kind of legacy we’re proud to be a part of.
To learn more, get involved, or support the incredible work being done, visit:
🌐 www.mmakofoundation.co.za
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Every contribution, big or small, helps these young players step into their power, one match at a time.