South Africa

At Hashtag Big Smile, we believe talent is everywhere. Opportunity isn’t. That’s why our work in Meadowlands, Soweto has always focused on more than just creating programmes—we focus on creating pathways. Through our support of Meadowlands Academy F.C., we’ve helped build an environment where young players are given the structure, support and belief they need to grow—not just as footballers, but as individuals. Because football, at its best, is never just about the game. It’s

At Hashtag Big Smile, we don’t just believe in building facilities. We believe in building futures. Nowhere is that more evident than in Meadowlands, Soweto—where, alongside The Footprints Foundation, we’ve been working to create something far greater than a sports programme. We’ve helped build a foundation for opportunity. In a community where access to safe spaces, structured activities and long-term support can be limited, the vision was simple: create an environment where

This is Nelly’s story. She is part of the Meadowlands community in Soweto. Her testimony reminds us why we do this work - not just to uplift communities, but to walk alongside individuals as they discover their own potential, and create lasting change for themselves and those around them. One Sunday morning, exhausted from an all-night vigil, I decided to return home earlier than usual. My body ached with tiredness, and all I wanted was rest. When I got home, I was told there