Mainz 05 recently sent a delegation to South Africa as part of its ongoing international efforts, focusing on building relationships and exploring long-term opportunities in the region. The trip was supported by its internationalisation partner Schächter Sports.
The delegation, represented by Meikel Schönweitz and Thomas Henkel, met with stakeholders from both football and business to discuss potential collaborations and expand the club’s network in South Africa.
A key part of the visit was hands-on work at grassroots level. The delegation joined training sessions at Durbanville FC and Sunningdale FC, delivered workshops for local coaches, and introduced their partner St. Anthony to the community.
Beyond the pitch, the delegation also addressed off-field topics. Together with local content creators Cellular_jnr and Ashley Mkhize, a social media workshop was organised for players, focusing on personal branding and how to build a digital presence.
The visit also attracted media attention, contributing to Mainz 05’s growing visibility in the region.
Thomas Henkel underlined the value of the trip: “These visits are an important part of our international approach. We exchange ideas, learn from local environments, and build relationships. The openness in Cape Town was a strong foundation for future collaboration.”
Overall, the trip combined football development, coach education, and broader topics around the modern game.
Mainz 05 aims to continue building on these connections and further develop its presence in South Africa.
