Standard Bank & Partners Break Ground On Historic ‘Field Of Dreams’ In Joburg CBD
Nkosinathi Manzana, Executive Head: Group Real Estate at Standard Bank, Dr. Taddy Blecher, CEO of MII, Betway Africa CEO Laurence Michel, legendary South African cricketer and former SA cricket captain, Dr Ali Bacher, Clive Eksteen, Chief Commercial Officer at Megapro Group and Mark Rowles, Betway Head of Marketing.
Johannesburg, South Africa – A historic first for the Johannesburg CBD was celebrated on Friday, as Standard Bank, in partnership with the Maharishi Invincibility Institute (MII), Italtile, and the BW Cares Foundation, officially broke ground on the Field of Dreams – the first full-size soccer field to be built in the heart of the city.
The initiative, unveiled on 5 September, transforms a once-industrial piece of land into a vibrant space where the next generation can dream, play, and grow. The project is the brainchild of legendary South African cricketer and former national captain, Dr Ali Bacher, who has driven the vision forward alongside the JoziMyJozi coalition – a group committed to reshaping the future of the CBD.
Standard Bank has played a leading role by providing land and initial funding, with support from partners Italtile, BW Cares Foundation, and an anonymous donor. Together, the coalition has delivered a powerful symbol of renewal in a city long known for its gold mines – this time mining a different kind of gold: the untapped potential of South Africa’s youth.
“This is more than just a soccer field; it’s a regeneration project,” explained Nkosinathi Manzana, Executive Head: Group Real Estate at Standard Bank.
“The Field of Dreams represents our deep commitment to the regeneration of Johannesburg and our belief in the power of public-private collaboration. This is a tangible investment in the health, well-being, and future success of the next generation of leaders.”
The field is strategically located at a landmark site visible to nearly a million cars passing daily along the M1 highway. Beyond football, it will serve as a green gateway into MII’s “Education Town” campus – a hub where thousands of young people from surrounding townships and informal settlements access world-class education, skills training, and career opportunities.
MII’s track record speaks volumes. To date, the institute has trained and placed 25,595 formerly unemployed youth into high-quality jobs across sectors like finance, banking, technology, and consulting, with graduates expected to collectively earn more than R82.9 billion over their lifetimes.
For CEO Dr Taddy Blecher, the field is about unlocking something priceless.
“This is more than just grass; it’s a promise to our youth. Johannesburg was built on gold, but today we are digging for something far more valuable – the genius, creativity, and infinite potential of our young people. The Field of Dreams will be a place where they build confidence, learn teamwork, and see that their futures are boundless.”
Dr Bacher, whose vision underpins the project, echoed the sentiment.
“This is that one place in the city where any young person with a dream can come and study for up to 10 hours a day, with access to tuition, books, technology, sports and more for just R200 per month. That’s why we called it the ‘Field of Dreams’.”
The groundbreaking ceremony signals the start of a new chapter for the inner city – one where education, sport, and community collaboration combine to restore pride, create opportunities, and shape brighter futures for generations to come.
