KFC pays homage to youth excellence this Youth Month

 

Former South African president and philanthropist Nelson Mandela famously said that sport can play a role in uniting people in divided societies, it speaks to the youth in a language they understand and it has the power to create hope where once there was only despair. KFC has proved the adage correct through their partnership with Cricket South Africa (CSA) with the KFC Mini Cricket Programme which has played a vital part in empowering the youth through cricket.

Since the start of their partnership in 2010 the KFC Mini Cricket programme worked on spreading the game of cricket to where it now hosts 126 000 young cricketers annually across South Africa in a programme that spans diverse range in society, from urban areas to rural areas attracting children of all genders, races and social backgrounds.

The KFC Mini Cricket programme does not only successfully get children physically active but also plays a role in positively developing the children’s mental, social, and emotional wellbeing as KFC Mini Cricket programme participants learn to play for a goal within a team environment which encourages soft skills like focus, communication and helps improve friendship. Teamwork and leadership which can pave a foundation for a successful professional cricketing career or a career outside cricket through lessons learned in the KFC Mini Cricket programme.

The KFC Mini Cricket Programme is also a foundation to youth who aspire to be professional cricketers one day as players such as Sinethemba Qeshile, Janneman Malan and Lutho Sipamla have seen their hard work and dreams come to fruition when they made their debuts for South Africa in the KFC international T20 Series.

“As we commemorate Youth Month, we are proud to play part in empowering the youth of South Africa through our partnership with CSA with the KFC Mini Cricket programme which has ensured that over a million children get active through our 11 years of involvement in this prestigious programme.” KFC CSI Manger Andra Nel commented.

“KFC’s youth empowerment goes beyond our involvement with the KFC Mini Cricket programme as outside of cricket. KFC has launched the Ikusasa Lethu scholarship programme which provides quality education to our team member’s children. We also continue to tackle malnutrition through the KFC Add hope programme which raises funds to feed over 150 000 children in South Africa. Through all these programmes KFC continues to invest in the future of South Africa.” Andra Nel concluded.

The month of June is referred to as Youth month in the South African calendar and the commemorations and observance of youth month reach their peak on June 16^th – Youth Day - a significant holiday in South Africa’s history.

For more information on the KFC Mini-Cricket programme, visit Website

TEMBA BAVUMA JOINS COCA-COLA SCHOOLS T20 CHALLENGE TO CAST A SPOTLIGHT ON FUTURE HEROES

Coca-Cola Schools T20 Challenge, South Africa’s premier schools cricket tournament, has kicked off and will once again be casting a spotlight on the best up and coming, young cricket talent in South Africa. This year, Coca-Cola South Africa, in partnership with Cricket South Africa (CSA) and Proteas batsman, Temba Bavuma, will be on the lookout for outstanding young players to be part of the Coca-Cola T20 All-Star Team.

The new addition to the tournament is aimed at spreading the talent search net wider and will see tournament ambassador, Temba Bavuma, and a team of cricket experts, attend all 6 of the Coca-Cola Schools T20 Challenge franchise finals in search of outstanding players in the teams that do not qualify for the national finals.

This team will comprise 12 players, 2 from each franchise final and will play in a curtain-raiser match against a CSA Development Hub team during the Coca-Cola Schools T20 Challenge National Finals.

“I’m very excited to join Coca-Cola on this journey of searching for some of South Africa’s excelling youth cricketers,” commented Bavuma. “I’m incredibly proud to be associated with the Coca-Cola Schools T20 Challenge and as a player, I believe that this is a great platform for young cricketers to showcase their skills and gain valuable experience. I look forward to seeing all the talent that will be unearthed this year,” added the Standard Bank Proteas batsman.

The Coca-Cola Schools T20 Challenge is fast becoming synonymous with showcasing the best, up and coming in South African cricket talent. Since its inception, the tournament has seen Proteas superstars, Quinton de Kock, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, and Lungi Ngidi, as well as recently appointed Proteas ODI captain Aiden Markram.

Michelle Cloete, Marketing Manager, Coca-Cola South Africa said, “Coca-Cola has been a proud sponsor of the Coca-Cola Schools T20 Challenge for the past five years. The tournament is where heroes are made, and this year we look forward to taking it to the next level by unearthing the future cricket heroes through our All-Star team search that will be led by Proteas superstar Temba Bavuma. Good luck to all the players taking part in this year’s tournament, may it be the start of a long, fruitful career in cricket.”

“Coca-Cola are one of our longest-serving sponsors and we treasure the partnership we have had with them for a very long period of time,” commented CSA Acting Chief Executive Thabang Moroe. “The Coca-Cola T20 Schools Tournament can be regarded as our version of the FA Cup as it potentially gives every school the chance to compete first for provincial, then franchise and finally national honours.

“I am very excited about the All-Star initiative and the fact that some of our Hubs players will get the chance to play on a major stage,” concluded Mr. Moroe.

The three-day national finals will take place at the University of Pretoria Cricket Oval from 16-18 March, and will see the six franchise winners, as well as two of the best schools out of CSA’s Focus Schools programme, battle it out to be named the 2018 Coca-Cola Schools T20 Challenge champions.

To engage with the tournament online, search #WhereHeroesAreMade on Twitter or visit @CocaCola_ZA and @OfficialCSA

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Media Contact

Shawn Belluigi

Email: shawn@intunecom.co.za

About The Coca-Cola Company

The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is the world's largest beverage company, refreshing consumers with more than 500 sparkling and still brands and more than 3,800 beverage choices. Led by Coca-Cola, one of the world's most valuable and recognizable brands, our company’s portfolio features 20 billion-dollar brands, 18 of which are available in reduced-, low- or no-calorie options. Our billion-dollar brands include Diet Coke, Coca-Cola Zero, Fanta, Sprite, Dasani, vitaminwater, Powerade, Minute Maid, Simply, Del Valle, Georgia and Gold Peak. Through the world's largest beverage distribution system, we are the No. 1 provider of both sparkling and still beverages.  More than 1.9 billion servings of our beverages are enjoyed by consumers in more than 200 countries each day. With an enduring commitment to building sustainable communities, our company is focused on initiatives that reduce our environmental footprint, create a safe, inclusive work

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