Pupils from various Mdantsane schools have been given a new sporting platform through the Xhanti Msauli Foundation.
Through the NGO, 89 children aged 11 to 17 from six different schools now enjoy weekly rugby lessons, an initiative made possible through sponsors.
Founder Xhanti Msauli, who grew up in Mdantsane, said the inspiration for the lessons came last year when he realised that the level of school sport in the township was deteriorating. As a rugby fanatic himself, he decided to introduce the contact sport first, with netball and chess also on the cards for later this year.
According to Msauli, not only will this initiative assist with talent spotting, it has also created jobs as community members are being trained as coaches. The lessons kicked off in January this year.
“Many schools in the township don’t offer sport and, those that do, don’t do it at the correct level. In many cases you find that the same teacher who takes the children for other subjects is the one meant to oversee sport in the afternoon as well.
“Often these teachers are too tired to do it any justice or they don’t have the know-how to do a proper job,” Msauli said.
“I decided to let the children start playing with me as the coach while I try to organise the other coaches training. I have already approached Border Rugby with this initiative and they said they could assist with training, which they would sponsor.”
Msauli currently has three rugby balls and three cones, donated by the Community Independence Consciousness NGO, at his disposal.
“We still need other things like T-shirts and equipment, which I’m going door to door trying to organise.”
Pupils involved are from Mzomhle and Khulani Commercial high schools and Bulumko, Nkululeko, Mfundo and Phakamile primary schools. Lessons take place at the NU 1 stadium from Monday to Thursday.
The Daily Dispatch caught up with some of the pupils at their lesson on Monday.
Likho Mqikela, 13, said he had decided to take part in the lessons in an effort to get away from the negative aspects of growing up in a township.
“This takes me out of the location and that’s good. Many of my friends are smoking drugs and I don’t want to join them,” he said.
Lamla Mahlanyana, also 13, said he just loved the sport.
He said: “The only sports offered at my school are soccer and netball but I have always wanted to play rugby”.
Msauli said his NGO also dealt with poverty alleviation and provided health services to the community.
“Right now we are busy with a huge charity drive where we are trying to collect clothes and cosmetics which we will donate to Ethembeni Old Age Home on Freedom Day,” he said.
NGO kicks off Mdantsane rugby initiative
Through the NGO, 89 children aged 11 to 17 from six different schools now enjoy weekly rugby lessons, an initiative made possible through sponsors.
Founder Xhanti Msauli, who grew up in Mdantsane, said the inspiration for the lessons came last year when he realised that the level of school sport in the township was deteriorating. As a rugby fanatic himself, he decided to introduce the contact sport first, with netball and chess also on the cards for later this year.
According to Msauli, not only will this initiative assist with talent spotting, it has also created jobs as community members are being trained as coaches. The lessons kicked off in January this year.
“Many schools in the township don’t offer sport and, those that do, don’t do it at the correct level. In many cases you find that the same teacher who takes the children for other subjects is the one meant to oversee sport in the afternoon as well.
“Often these teachers are too tired to do it any justice or they don’t have the know-how to do a proper job,” Msauli said.
“I decided to let the children start playing with me as the coach while I try to organise the other coaches training. I have already approached Border Rugby with this initiative and they said they could assist with training, which they would sponsor.”
Msauli currently has three rugby balls and three cones, donated by the Community Independence Consciousness NGO, at his disposal.
“We still need other things like T-shirts and equipment, which I’m going door to door trying to organise.”
Pupils involved are from Mzomhle and Khulani Commercial high schools and Bulumko, Nkululeko, Mfundo and Phakamile primary schools. Lessons take place at the NU 1 stadium from Monday to Thursday.
The Daily Dispatch caught up with some of the pupils at their lesson on Monday.
Likho Mqikela, 13, said he had decided to take part in the lessons in an effort to get away from the negative aspects of growing up in a township.
“This takes me out of the location and that’s good. Many of my friends are smoking drugs and I don’t want to join them,” he said.
Lamla Mahlanyana, also 13, said he just loved the sport.
He said: “The only sports offered at my school are soccer and netball but I have always wanted to play rugby”.
Msauli said his NGO also dealt with poverty alleviation and provided health services to the community.
“Right now we are busy with a huge charity drive where we are trying to collect clothes and cosmetics which we will donate to Ethembeni Old Age Home on Freedom Day,” he said.
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