Not many soccer players from rural areas get to brag about showing their prowess to South African celebrities, but aspiring young football stars from Mpandeni village had a chance to show UDM MP Nqaba Kwankwa just what real diski is.
Kwankwa, one of South Africa’s youngest parliamentarians, is affectionately dubbed “the people’s bae”, especially by women on social networks, due to his good looks.
He spent Saturday cheering on the rural teams in a soccer tournament in Mpandeni, about 30km outside Mthatha.
The tournament was organised by the UDM’s Youth Vanguard in the King Sabata Dalindyebo (KSD) sub region, and featured 12 soccer teams from several villages, including Skhobeni, Mpandeni, Centuli and Mhaga.
UDM Youth Vanguard chairwoman in the O R Tambo region, Lihle Zuma, who is also a councillor at KSD municipality, said they had decided on hosting the event after noticing that a lot of young people from these villages were unemployed.
“Most have nothing to do because there are no job opportunities for them,” she said.
“It is a new programme that we hope to do every year.”
She said even older villagers had gone to the sportsfield to cheer on the players during the event.
One of those who was able to showcase their talent on the day was 16-year-old Grade 9 pupil Khanya Opela.
The exciting Centuli-based Troublemakers FC winger not only left defenders trailing in his wake time and again, but he also scored three goals for the inaugural champions.
One of those was a looping header in a tightly contested final against Bay FC from Mpandeni, which saw Opela’s team run out winners by a solitary goal.
The youngster, who dreams of donning the Kaizer Chiefs jersey one day and playing with his idol, Pule Ekstein in the Amakhosi midfield, said having someone like Kwankwa cheering them on had spurred him to new heights.
“We were so happy as we don’t normally get a chance to play in these kinds of tournaments in this part of the world. Having him in attendance was a huge confidence booster.”
Kwankwa used the opportunity to urge young people never to settle for anything less than what they were capable of.
He used himself as a living example of someone overcoming the odds, saying he had also come from humble beginnings, and was now an MP.
He said young people should make sure they became involved in initiatives taking place in their communities, especially meetings about developmental programmes.
Zuma said they wanted to take the tournament to other villages in KSD, and that the next stop would be Xhwili village next month. — sikhon@dispatch.co.za
UDM MP spurs on soccer players
Kwankwa, one of South Africa’s youngest parliamentarians, is affectionately dubbed “the people’s bae”, especially by women on social networks, due to his good looks.
He spent Saturday cheering on the rural teams in a soccer tournament in Mpandeni, about 30km outside Mthatha.
The tournament was organised by the UDM’s Youth Vanguard in the King Sabata Dalindyebo (KSD) sub region, and featured 12 soccer teams from several villages, including Skhobeni, Mpandeni, Centuli and Mhaga.
UDM Youth Vanguard chairwoman in the O R Tambo region, Lihle Zuma, who is also a councillor at KSD municipality, said they had decided on hosting the event after noticing that a lot of young people from these villages were unemployed.
“Most have nothing to do because there are no job opportunities for them,” she said.
“It is a new programme that we hope to do every year.”
She said even older villagers had gone to the sportsfield to cheer on the players during the event.
One of those who was able to showcase their talent on the day was 16-year-old Grade 9 pupil Khanya Opela.
The exciting Centuli-based Troublemakers FC winger not only left defenders trailing in his wake time and again, but he also scored three goals for the inaugural champions.
One of those was a looping header in a tightly contested final against Bay FC from Mpandeni, which saw Opela’s team run out winners by a solitary goal.
The youngster, who dreams of donning the Kaizer Chiefs jersey one day and playing with his idol, Pule Ekstein in the Amakhosi midfield, said having someone like Kwankwa cheering them on had spurred him to new heights.
“We were so happy as we don’t normally get a chance to play in these kinds of tournaments in this part of the world. Having him in attendance was a huge confidence booster.”
Kwankwa used the opportunity to urge young people never to settle for anything less than what they were capable of.
He used himself as a living example of someone overcoming the odds, saying he had also come from humble beginnings, and was now an MP.
He said young people should make sure they became involved in initiatives taking place in their communities, especially meetings about developmental programmes.
Zuma said they wanted to take the tournament to other villages in KSD, and that the next stop would be Xhwili village next month. — sikhon@dispatch.co.za
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos