HOËRSKOOL JEUGLAND FROM KEMPTON PARK WERE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO TRAIN WITH A RUGBY LEGEND

John Mitchell, ex-All Blacks player and coach who is famous for guiding the Lions to Currie Cup Victory, went to Hoërskool Jeugland in Kempton last week to teach rugby teams and coaches about what it takes to “power through” from school boy rugby to Super Rugby and beyond.

He demonstrated new techniques, drills and gave guidance on other performance-related aspects of training, like hydration, before, during and after matches.

It’s not often that school boys get to meet man who has won the Currie Cup and knows what it takes to power through various types of adversity to become a success. The young rugby players from Hoërskool Jeugland were able to tap into his vast rugby knowledge and learn that they have all got what it takes to power through, as long as they know that they have to work hard and persevere in whatever they choose to do in life.

Hoërskool Jeugland invited the four primary schools in the area around the school to share in the excitement of having a Currie Cup winning coach and former All-Black share his knowledge with the school. In the end there were nearly as many coaches as players that attended the session.

Alec de Kock, deputy sport manager at Hoërskool Jeugland, and 1st team coach said it was great to have a famous coach like John Mitchell visit the school and share some of his knowledge with the coaches and rugby players.

"We were surprised that John would take a step back and recognise the importance of grass route rugby," he said. “We did not learn too many new techniques but we were encouraged by the fact that we are actually on the right path with our training techniques. John managed to show us that even though we were doing the correct training routines we were making small technical mistakes in these routines."

Hoërskool Jeugland have not had the best season so far but they do have one player that stands out’ “We only have one player, Darren de Bruin, that is in line to make the Falcons Coca-Cola Craven Week team so it is important that the team gels as a unit. We have been successful in doing this and hopefully it will be good enough."

Alec spoke a lot about the importance of what he is trying to achieve as a coach. He believes that through rugby the players can learn life lessons. He would like to see that what the players learn on the field they can bring into other aspects of life. “You do not necessarily have to be the best rugby player to benefit from playing rugby, you need to see what your aim and goals are and try to meet these goals. If you achieve these goals you can say that you have been a success.

"The players must also learn respect for their coaches, the opposing players and in doing that they will learn how to respect themselves.”

Wesley Higgs, Hoërskool Jeugland's 1st team prop said it was a great experience to meet John Mitchell. "He showed us that we have been doing the correct training drills over the last 5 year but we have not understood the true reason as to why we were doing those drills and we have been doing them incorrectly.

“I never expected that I would be coached by a real professional coach like Mr. Mitchell. He thinks differently from most of the coaches that I have played under because he thinks a lot more as to what needs to be done, how it should be done and why it should be done. Then he tells us his reasoning behind what he is teaching us. It makes it a lot easier to understand our training routines and makes it easier to understand when we can apply what we have learned in a match situation.”

Wayne Visser, the team's other prop said: "Mr Mitchell is a huge celebrity and a rugby legend, it was amazing to meet him in person. I never imagined that a person of this stature could be so approachable and easy to talk to.”

John Mitchell has not only coached a Currie Cup team but he has also coached Super Rugby teams and since Powerade is the official hydration sponsor of the Vodacom Super Rugby, John knows the benefits of what Powerade can offer sportsmen and women.

“Our goal in getting John to schools like Jeugland is to inspire and motivate young individuals to make sure they maintain their forward momentum and achieve their goals. We know that coaches also play the role of mentor and guidance counsellor and we want to empower coaches who will in turn inspire the players,” said Trivern Chetty, Brand Manager- Sports and Energy at The Coca-Cola Company. 

The Powerade Schools Programme does not end with the Powerade Performance Sessions. The coaches that come into contact with Mitchell during these campaigns will also be able to stay up to date with peak performance by means of signing up for the communications, developed by the ex-All Blacks and Lions coach himself. A select group of coaches will receive a training tips newsletter twice a month from John. This communication will take the form of skills training content, pictures and links to video demonstrations from the Powerade Performance Sessions as well as great competitions to participate in.

But the Powerade Schools Programme is far from over. The schools can continue to collect Powerade caps until 14th June. The school that collects the most caps will get tickets for the entire school to go and watch a Super Rugby game in their province.

HOËRSKOOL WONDERBOOM FROM PRETORIA WERE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO TRAIN WITH A RUGBY LEGEND

John Mitchell, ex-All Blacks player and coach and helped guide the Lions to Currie Cup Victory, went to Hoërskool Wonderboom in Pretoria last week to teach four of their top rugby teams about what it takes to “Power Through” from school boy rugby to Super Rugby and beyond.

He demonstrated new techniques, drills and gave guidance on other performance-related aspects of training, like hydration, before, during and after matches.

It’s not often that school boys get to meet man who has won the Currie Cup and knows what it takes to power through various types of adversity to become a success. The young rugby players from Hoërskool Wonderboom were able to tap into his vast rugby knowledge and learn that they have all got what it takes to “Power Through”, as long as they know that they have to work hard and persevere in whatever they choose to do in life.

Etienne Hellere, flank and Hoërskool Wonderboom 1^st team captain enjoyed the training session and found John very approachable and easy to follow due to the passion that he showed during the Powerade Performance Session.

“John Mitchell was fantastic; as soon as he started with the training session he got immediate support from the players. His dedication to the training session, passion for the game and the fact that he was very serious about his objectives behind the training session helped get us to give all that we had and learn as much as possible in the 2 hours that we trained.”

The training session was not only of benefit to the players but also to the school’s coaches.

Braam Pretorius, coach of Hoërskool Wonderboom’s first team found the session interesting and informative.

“I cannot single out any part of the session that was of more interest as I found the entire training session very valuable,” he said. “John took us through various aspects of the game and then showed us how to put them together in various drills.

“For example, he taught us how to fall when tackled, how to put the ball in a position where you can recycle possession and then how the rest of the team should ruck over the tackled player to guarantee possession.”

“We also enjoyed the passing drills because it reminds the players of how important something simple like passing is and how you can make the ball do the work to gain the advantage line”

Hoërskool Wonderboom has two players that will take part in the Coca-Cola Youth Rugby Weeks taking place in July.  Prop, Ghan Snyders will play in the U16 Grant Khomo Week and Malcolm Fischer, inside centre is the vice captain of the       Coca-Cola U18 Craven Week Bulls squad.

John Mitchell has not only coached a Currie Cup team but he has also coached Super Rugby teams and since Powerade is the official hydration sponsor of the Vodacom Super Rugby, John knows the benefits of what Powerade can offer sportsmen and women.

“Our goal in getting John to schools like Hoërskool Wonderboom is to inspire and motivate young individuals to make sure they maintain their forward momentum and achieve their goals. We know that coaches also play the role of mentor and guidance counselor and we want to empower coaches who will in turn inspire the players,” said Trivern Chetty, Brand Manager- Sports and Energy at The Coca-Cola Company. 

The Powerade Schools Programme does not end with the Powerade Performance Sessions. The coaches that come into contact with Mitchell during these campaigns will also be able to stay up to date with peak performance by means of signing up for the communications, developed by the ex-All Blacks and Lions coach himself. A select group of coaches will receive a training tips newsletter twice a month from John. This communication will take the form of skills training content, pictures and links to video demonstrations from the Powerade Performance Sessions as well as great competitions to participate in.

But the Powerade Schools Programme is far from over. The schools can continue to collect Powerade caps until 14th June. The school that collects the most caps will get tickets for the entire school to go and watch a Super Rugby game in their province.

GOALKEEPER HELPS SCHOOL WIN DANONE NATIONS CUP PROVINCIAL FINAL

Manzile Eltomo, goalkeeper for Danyeni Primary School’s under-12 soccer team was the toast of Merry Pebbles Stream –an informal settlement near Piet Retief in Mpumalanga last weekend.

It was his spectacular penalty save in one of the pool matches at the Mpumalanga provincial finals of the Danone Nations Cup that kept his side in the competition, and allowed them to go on to win the Mpumalanga title and take one step closer to an incredible dream – representing South Africa at the Danone Nations Cup world finals in London in September.

Ernest Mabunda is the principal of the school, and also the team’s coach. He puts his side’s success in the competition in perspective when he explains that most of the children come from a very poor background. “Most of the families depend on social grants for survival,” he said. “It’s hard for them to get basic things that most of us take for granted. Often they come barefooted to school all year round, with no uniforms.”

So, winning the provincial finals has been a tremendous boost for the school. “We are all

thrilled and the morale is very high at the moment,” Mabunda said. “The parents are so excited for the children and the school and will be coming to support the kids building up to the National Finals.’

The national finals will be in Johannesburg in August “Most of the players have never been to Johannesburg. They know it as the centre of soccer,” Mabunda says. “It will be an educational experience for them.”

Danyeni Primary has been competing in the competition since 2000, and this is the first time they have advanced to the national finals. “It’s a huge achievement for the school,” Mabunda said, “and we have the full support of the community.”

Mamunda says he can see how winning the provincial title has boosted the confidence levels of the players. “We have increased the time we spend in practice. We want to make sure that we are one step ahead of the other teams. The boys are disciplined and are giving 100% at all times. I can see how committed they are when it comes to practise sessions.”

Mpumalanga Provincial Finals - Embalenhle Stadium, Saturday 18 May

Imizamoyethu Primary 1 Dumelani Primary 0

Zandile Combined School Danyeni Primary 0 (Danyeni won 3-0 on penalties).

Zandile Combined School 0 Imizamoyethu Primary 1

Dumelani Primary 1 Danyeni Primary 3

Danyeni Primary 2 Imizamoyethu Primary 0

Dumelani Primary 0 Zandile Combined Shcool 1

Final – Danyeni Primary 0 Imizamoyethu Primary 0 (Danyeni Primary won 2-0 on penalties).

Health, nutrition and pleasure are at the heart of everything Danone does. Every day they work to promote the benefits of a balanced and varied diet. Encouraging physical activities is a part of this ambition: bring every day health by nutrition to the greatest number of people.

Since 2000, Danone has invested in sport, which promotes strong values, and is an essential element in the balance and upbringing of children, through the worldwide event: the Danone Nations Cup

SANLAM KAY MOTSEPE SCHOOLS CUP MPUMALANGA REGIONS

Nkanini Secondary School of Ermelo, Mpumalanga, won the Piet Retief Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup Regional final this past week.  The school finished third in the cluster level tournament last week, but was declared the winner after it was found that the first and second-placed schools had contravened the tournament rules.

So, Nkanini will be representing the Piet Retief region at the Mpumalanage Provincial finals and the message has gone out to all participating schools that irregularities will not be tolerated. 

Nkanini team manager, Thabiso Ndlovu has been at the helm for two years, and this is the school’s third year in the competition. “This is the first time we will be playing at provincial level and I am very proud of the boys,” Ndlovu said. He explains that they have been training hard. “We sometimes invite teams come help with our training so that they can help us with aspects like muscle-toning and strength building for the boys. We have also brought in a shooter so we can train our goalkeeper.”

Available time is one of their biggest challenges,” Ndlovu said. “We have invited the principal to most of our matches and he has been working out a plan to give us more time to train.  Now that we are in the provincial finals he is keener to give us more practise time. He has even taken it upon himself to provide transport and food for our upcoming games.”

Ndlovu says he always tries to set an example for the boys by adopting a winning attitude. “I remind them of the first prize at stake – R1 million for the school. I also tell them that they mustn’t let conditions at home or in their lives in general impact on their performance on the field. I always remind them how talented they are. Our winning formula is to make sure that we focus on one goal and objective - that is to win our matches and to grow from the ones we didn’t win.”

Ndlovu singles out striker Siyabonga Hlatswayo as one of his key players. “This boy only recently started playing for the team and he is already our top goal scorer. He is very physical and his ball control is very good. Even when he is surrounded by players from the opposing team he easily manoeuvre his way around them,” Ndlovu said.

Goalkeeper Mxolisi Andries Nkambule is another player to watch. “He knows his way around the 18 yard area,” Ndlovu said. “This boy has been playing for the school since last year and he is disciplined and very aware of what happens around him.”

  

As far as the achievements of past pupils are concerned, Ndlovu explains that Siyabonga Hlatswayo’s brother, Sbusiso Hlatswayo,  played for the school in the Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup  and is now goalkeeper for Bataung FC in Mpumalanga.

Mpumalanga Piet Retief Cluster Results:

Nkanini 2 Carolina 0, Lake Chrissie 1 Ndlela 2, Lindile 4 Kwadela 1, Ndlela 4 Nkanini 1.

Final: Lindile 1 Ndlela 0.

Lindile and Ndlela were both disqualified for infringing with the rules of the tournament

Nkanini Secondary School finished in third position and was awarded the title.

EASTERN CAPE PRIMARY SCHOOL IS THE HOST OF THE NEXT DANONE NATIONS CUP PROVINCIAL FINAL

Nkunzimbini Junior Secondary School gets the chance to go for a long-standing dream on Saturday – to qualify for the national finals of the U-12 Danone Nations Cup. The school is from Nyandeni Libode Municipality in the Eastern Cape and is one of seven Schools playing in the Eastern Cape provincial finals on Saturday May 25 at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium, East London. Games commence at 9am.

Nkunzimbini has been playing in the tournament since 2000 but has never made it to the national finals before.  Team coach Gideon Maqokolo says they have been hard at work preparing for Saturday. They train twice a week for two hours, and have been using whatever spare time they can get to put in some extra training.  The weekends have been used for friendly matches against local teams so that the players can get used to playing competitive football. “Many of the kids lack confidence which is a problem I am working on,” says Maqokolo. “I am trying to get them to forget about specialising on one position at this stage as that limits them.”

Maqokolo says he does not want to single out players in the team as everyone is important. “Often people rely on their strikers, but the game of football is not just about the goal-scorer. The build-up to the scoring opportunity is just as important. If you single out a player, and he gets injured, it can affect the rest of the players and their morale. To me everyone is important.”

Coaching a team like this is not easy and Maqokolo tells the story of one of his players whose father has more than one wife. His mother is the wife who is neglected and not supported by his father. “This strains him emotionally and I have encouraged him to open up so that this doesn’t affect his performance,” Maqokolo says. “I sometimes take him home with me and he sleeps over at my place because all my players are like my own children and it is my duty to groom them mentally and physically so that the tournament can benefit them in all aspects.”

Nkunzimbini Junior Secondary has played in many tournaments including represented South Africa in Ghana in 2010. The school recently won the netball provincial tournament for the Eastern Cape.

Maqokolo explains that the school’s progress in the tournament has raised the level of interest in soccer in the community. “We have had many kids coming to join the school soccer team, some even take it upon themselves to join us when we are training,” he said.

The school involves the parents of the players in all their activities as their commitment makes it easier for the team to succeed. “We meet with them and sometimes do house visits to parents whose children are taking part in the competition. We all need support in doing what we love and we are trying to make sure that the children excel at what they do,” Maqokolo says.

The winners of Saturday’s provincial competition will play in the National Finals in Johannesburg in June, with the eventual winners there earning the honour of representing South Africa at the Danone Nations Cup World Finals in London in August.

The Nkunzimbini players are all soccer nuts and they know all about British football and Wembley Stadium where the final day of the Danone Nations Cup will be played this year. That is a huge motivating factor for them.

YOUNGSTER TO HELP SCHOOL IN THE DANONE NATIONS CUP MPUMALANGA PROVINCIAL FINAL

Nkosiyazi Nhleko is a 12-year old A student at Zandile Combined School located in Buffelspruit, near Malelane in Mpumalanga, and he is something special. He helped his school’s under-12 team to qualify for the Mpumalanga provincial finals in the Danone Nations Cup and should they win there, he will be making a trip to Johannesburg for the national finals in June. The winners there will be going to London in September to play in the Danone Nations Cup World finals. Nkosiyazi’s achievements are special because he is an orphan who lives at the Silwanendlala Home Based Care Centre.

He is one of a number of children at the home who have either been abandoned by their parents or have lost them at a tender age. Simphiwe Thwala, manager of the Zandile Combined School football team, explains that the community helps the children by donating school uniforms and delegating a team of people to cook and feed them. Thwala explains that many of the children at the school are orphans who survive on grants and feeding schemes at school, yet they choose to come to school and participate in the Danone Nations Cup tournament.

Nkosiyazi is just one of the players that Thwala will be looking at to perform at the provincial championships. The others are: goalkeeper, Lubisi Bandile; strikers Lubisi Siphosethu, Zama Nkosingphile and Sbiya Lungelo and midfielders Zulu Malizole and Ntokozo Fakudze. Lubisi Siphosethu's father was a famous striker for a local team called Nhlambanyathi Rovers FC and Lubisi has inherited his father's skills. Sbiya Lungelo's father was a defender for a team called Home Defender in the 80s.

Zandile Combined School has been participated in the Danone Nations Cup tournament for the last six years and this is the second time they have progressed to the provincial finals. “We are hoping to do even do better this year,” says Thwala, “but I am pleased with the boys for making it this far,”

Thwala says they are working hard ahead of the provincial finals. “We train for an hour and a half on Mondays and Fridays, and take advantage of our sports day on Wednesdays which we use to identify areas that need to be improved,” he said. Zandile Combined School has been going for 40 years andl offers sports like netball, soccer and indigenous games. “Our main focus is on encouraging kids to grow in sports regardless of the situations they face at home,” Thwala said.

Two of Zandile’s past students - Thembinkosi Vascus Ngwenya and Lucas Thwala went on to play for teams in the PSL. Thembinkosi is now playing for the Platinum Stars development team while Lucas Thwala plays for SuperSport United. Both players were hard workers who took part in the Danone Nations Cup as under-12s. Thwala says they sometimes come to help at the school by motivating the kids at school and even assist with training when they are free.

For Groupe Danone, the Nations Cup tournament is all about giving young players the opportunity to believe in their dreams. Through this initiative Danone offers a sporting event that reaches out to and inspires millions of children all over the world.

HARMONY HIGH SCHOOL GEARS UP FOR THE SANLAM KAY MOTSEPE SCHOOL'S CUP

Harmony High School from Virginia in the Free State has been the most successful team in the history of the Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup, winning R2.2 million in prize money in the last three years. They go into the regional playoffs in the Free State leg of the 2013 competition on May 18 as defending provincial champions, having won all of their matches at the cluster level and are looking good to advance to the next round of the competition for the fourth year in a row.

Harmony were the 2010 Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup Free State Provincial Champions and runner-ups at the National Finals that year, netting the school R 700 000.00. In 2011 they went all the way to winning the National title which meant they took home the R 1 million first prize, while last year they were the Free State Provincial Champions and came 4^th at the National Finals and walked away with R500 000.00 The Provincial finals will start in July with the finals happening in September.                                                                                                                                       

That totals R2.2 million was spent on things like buses, sports kits, equipment (including for under-privileged schools in their area), upgrading of their sports fields, computers, overhead projectors and other educational equipment.

Hector Mokhali, the team’s manager says the cluster games were tough this year but they are pleased to be through to the next level. “Marematlou Secondary and Reatlehile Secondary in particular were well prepared and had quality defenders,” he said. Harmony’s results in the cluster games were: vs. Mamello Secondary School- won 4-0, vs. Marematlou Secondary School – won 2-0, vs. Reatlehile Secondary School – won 2-0, vs. Meloding Secondary School – won 4-0.

Mokhali says he has a young team this year – most of the players come from the 2011 under-16 team, but fortunately there are 6 players who were in the competition last year and he is hoping that the combination of the youth and experience will work. All the players in the current squad are part of the Harmony Sports Academy funded by Harmony Mine in Virginia

As far as preparations are concerned, Mokhali says they are busy building the team and trying to get the combinations right. “The players are still trying to get used to my coaching style,” he says.

The on-going teachers strike has resulted in them not playing enough practice games he says. ”We invite schools to come play with us but sometimes they don’t pitch, so a temporary solution has been to play against Vodacom league and Castle league teams in our area” he says. “However, they have tight schedules but one game in two weeks is better than nothing.”

Mokhali calls on ex-players from the school that have gone on to the PSL to come talk to the team. Lerato Manzini from Bloemfontein Celtic, Koloko Mokethi from African Warriors and Thabang Matuka from Maritzburg United have all been there. Manzini played in the Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup 2 years ago.”He has been very supportive,” Mokhali says, “not only this year but last year as well. Whenever his schedule allows it he spends time here”.

Mokhali believes commitment, hard work and team spirit is what has made them successful over the years. “We do everything as a unit and that is what kept us going all the years,” he says.

Of the successful class of 2012, Bojuzi Manjoe is playing for Sivutsa FC in the National First Division; Erick Mgomezulu is with Maluti EFT College FC in the Vodacom league; Themba Dladla and Ngozo Njabulo were awarded scholarships by the University of North West Potchefstroom Campus and where they are studying Sports Management; and Mpalala Bantu is with Bolton Wanderers in the UK.

Mokhali is looking to Tshwaela Phetisa, a striker with pace and magnificent ball control, to be the key player in the 2013 campaign.

Sanlam understands the value of development and the importance of realising what one hopes for. They believe that the SASFA Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup creates opportunities that have a positive impact on the youth and also provide exposure to scouts for those pupils who have talent. Moreover, the tournament also contributes to enhanced learning through improved educational facilities for the benefit of the rest of pupils in the winning schools and the broader communities around them.

Ends

About the Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup:

·       Named after prominent businessman Patrice Motsepe’s late mother, the Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup offers the biggest prize money at school level in Africa (R3.4 million in total). 

·       The sponsors are:  Sanlam, the Motsepe Foundation and the Sanlam Ubuntu-Botho Community Development Trust.

·       The primary objective of the tournament is to revive the culture of school football amongst students between the age of 16 and 19 years old.

·       The tournament also gives players the opportunity to showcase their skills to soccer scouts with the talented players being recruited into development structures to be nurtured and shaped into professional players.

FOOTBALL INVITATIONAL MANCHESTER CITY COMING TO SOUTH AFRICA AND WILL JOIN IN THE MANDELA DAY CELEBRATIONS

English Premier League Football Club, Manchester City, will be visiting South Africa in their upcoming pre-season programme, ‘City on Tour’. Two games will be played against top PSL Clubs, the second taking place on Mandela Day, 18^th July.   To recognise this the organisers, Matchworld, have collaborated with Africa Rising and Manchester City to get the world to understand the concept ‘67 minutes for Madiba’, the ethical framework being “Service to one’s fellow human”.

                                                                           

Representing Manchester City at the launch was Patrick Vieira, Football Development Executive for Manchester City Football Club.  Patrick had an illustrious career at AS Cannes, AC Milan, Arsenal, Juventus, Inter Milan and Manchester City before moving in to an executive role at City on his retirement. He has won 9 league titles and 5 FA Cups. He also represented his country, France, 107 times and won the 1998 FIFA World Cup when he received France’s highest award, the Legion d’Honneur in 1998 and the UEFA European Championship 2000 for the French national team.

“South Africa is one of my favourite countries,” said Vieira.  “I spent a lot of time here during the 2010 FIFA World Cup and was thrilled when Manchester City tasked me to come over and launch the South African leg of our upcoming Tour.  Mandela is one of my heroes and to be part of Mandela Day will be an honour.”

The South African ‘Football Invitational in support of Mandela Day’ kicked-off in the same period last year when Manchester United played Amazulu.  “We are pleased that Manchester City has included South Africa in their pre-season Tour and help us promote Mandela Day.  We are continuing from where we left off last year and give all South Africans a chance to see another great team in action” said Lyndon Barends, Executive Chairman, Matchworld.

Manchester City was founded in 1880 and counts the European Cup Winners’ Cup, three League Championship titles, and five FA Cups amongst its honours. Under manager Roberto Mancini, City plays its home fixtures at the Etihad Stadium and won the title of Premier League champions for 2011/12 after a 44 year wait. They are currently second in the Premier League and will play in the FA Cup final on Saturday 11^th May.

“South Africa's love of football was clear during both the World Cup and most recently the African Cup of Nations.  The national pride that comes from hosting these prestigious tournaments is a testament to how the country embraces the sport,” said Tom Glick, Chief Commercial & Operating Officer at Manchester City Football Club.

“We are very excited to bring Manchester City closer to the South African community and our rapidly growing global fanbase. This will be a fantastic tournament and I speak for the full squad when I say how pleased we are to visit this wonderful country. Not only are the training facilities fantastic, but we have already seen the fans passion first hand from our previous visit in 2009 and look forward to July 2013,” said Glick.

“This year being Madiba’s 95^th Birthday we are supported by Africa Rising, founded by Ndaba and Kweku Mandela. In this way it becomes part of a bigger celebration to honour Mr Mandela” says Barends.

“For us as Megapro and Matchworld the Invitational is not only an annual treat but also a great honour especially since we are highlighting the importance of Mandela Day and the 67 minutes of community action.” Says George Rautenbach, Executive Chairman, Megapro Holdings.

Ndaba Mandela says: “We as Africa Rising are extremely proud to be associated with the Football Invitational in support of Mandela Day on this special birthday of our grandfather”.

Games will take place on 14 and 18 July against South African PSL teams still to be finalised.  Tickets, like last year, will be priced between R150 and R350 and will be on sale at Computicket at the end of May.

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MANDELA DAY:

The overarching objective of Mandela Day is to inspire individuals to take action to help change the world for the better, and in doing so build a global movement for good. Ultimately it seeks to empower communities everywhere. “Take Action; Inspire Change; Make Every Day a Mandela Day.”

Individuals and organisations are free to participate in Mandela Day as they wish; however everyone is urged to adhere to the ethical framework of “service to one’s fellow human”.