Beloved soccer legends who are in East London this week to motivate and inspire the youth will drive a sport tournament, career exhibition and debate tomorrow.
Former players Simba Marumo, Fabian McCarthy, Jabulani Mendu and Tsepo Motsoeneng interacted with Vulamazibuko High School pupils in Mdantsane NU6 yesterday.
Brought to the city by the Peppy Thomas Foundation, Buffalo City Metro and the Railway Safety Regulator (RSR), the football heroes have been offering young people the benefit of their experience on how to achieve their dreams.
Eight schools will take part in a debate starting at 9am at the NU14 library, which is followed by a career exhibition. Then pupils will take to field, court or ring from noon for soccer, netball and boxing at the Winter Rose stadium in NU13.
Marumo said after the tournament they would select deserving pupils for trials at the development structures of some Premiership clubs. “There are many issues affecting our kids, like drugs.
“We are here to speak to the guys to tell them they are not the only ones. We’ve also been there.
“We have organised with our contacts at PSL, including Arthur Zwane the Kaizer Chiefs U19 coach, to take these kids for trials because these opportunities are concentrated at big cities like Joburg and Cape Town,” Marumo said.
The former striker said what could really discourage young people was feeling stuck.
“Then they decide to smoke and do all the wrong things you can imagine.”
RSR spokeswoman Babalwa Mpendu said her organisation engaged with communities on rail safety issues, and they thought many of the social ills linked to trains – like train surfing – stemmed from people wanting to be champions. “As a result we felt that we need to leave something with the people that will top their minds with rail safety.
“Then we brought in these soccer legends so that they can influence responsible and good behaviour.”
She said as an agency with the department of transport they had an interest in growing careers, particularly around engineering.
“Transport includes so many areas like aviation, maritime, rail, public transport – there are lots of opportunities out there.
“Because young people are not exposed to such careers they tend to think that they are only available for a select few, whereas in actual fact there are bursaries and learnerships available,” she said. — mfundop@dispatch.co.za
Soccer heroes inspire EC’s rural youth
Former players Simba Marumo, Fabian McCarthy, Jabulani Mendu and Tsepo Motsoeneng interacted with Vulamazibuko High School pupils in Mdantsane NU6 yesterday.
Brought to the city by the Peppy Thomas Foundation, Buffalo City Metro and the Railway Safety Regulator (RSR), the football heroes have been offering young people the benefit of their experience on how to achieve their dreams.
Eight schools will take part in a debate starting at 9am at the NU14 library, which is followed by a career exhibition. Then pupils will take to field, court or ring from noon for soccer, netball and boxing at the Winter Rose stadium in NU13.
Marumo said after the tournament they would select deserving pupils for trials at the development structures of some Premiership clubs. “There are many issues affecting our kids, like drugs.
“We are here to speak to the guys to tell them they are not the only ones. We’ve also been there.
“We have organised with our contacts at PSL, including Arthur Zwane the Kaizer Chiefs U19 coach, to take these kids for trials because these opportunities are concentrated at big cities like Joburg and Cape Town,” Marumo said.
The former striker said what could really discourage young people was feeling stuck.
“Then they decide to smoke and do all the wrong things you can imagine.”
RSR spokeswoman Babalwa Mpendu said her organisation engaged with communities on rail safety issues, and they thought many of the social ills linked to trains – like train surfing – stemmed from people wanting to be champions. “As a result we felt that we need to leave something with the people that will top their minds with rail safety.
“Then we brought in these soccer legends so that they can influence responsible and good behaviour.”
She said as an agency with the department of transport they had an interest in growing careers, particularly around engineering.
“Transport includes so many areas like aviation, maritime, rail, public transport – there are lots of opportunities out there.
“Because young people are not exposed to such careers they tend to think that they are only available for a select few, whereas in actual fact there are bursaries and learnerships available,” she said. — mfundop@dispatch.co.za
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