Ntsu High School’s football success earns them legacy projects

Since opening in 1994, Ntsu High School in Bethlehem, Free State, has produced outstanding results in the classroom as well as on the sportsfields, including a fourth-place finish in the 2010 Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup.
 
Run under the auspices of the South African Schools Football Association (SASFA), the Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup is the biggest schools football tournament in the country with the most prize money of over R3m. The winner takes R1 million, R600 000 for the runners-up, R500 000 and R400 000 for third- and fourth-place finishers respectively. Each school that wins their provincial final receives R100 000.
 
The tournament prize money is spent on legacy projects identified by the school. In the case of Ntsu, the R400 000 prize money they received went towards a Kombi vehicle, laptops and shade cloth covering the assembly area where all the pupils congregate.
 
Ntsu’s Principal, Moeketsi Masiteng was overjoyed with the final outcome: “I am just so happy and grateful to Sanlam, the Motsepe Family Foundation and the Ubuntu-Botho Development Fund for helping us improve the quality of life of the pupils and teachers at the school.  
 
Masiteng went on to explain the impact each legacy project will make: “The weather here can be harsh at times and the pupils have had to stand for long periods in the blazing sun and the shade cloth will make such a difference to us all.”
 
“And now we have a Kombi for our school community to help us transport our pupils to various activities – including, of course, getting to the venues to play our 2011 Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup games!  And the laptops will further enhance the quality of learning at our school as we strive to reach our main academic goal of a 100% pass rate,” continued Masiteng.
 
“Our motto is to instil a culture of quality learning and teaching so that even our immediate communities feel proud of the work that we do in resolutely shaping the future of our country.  We strive to accommodate a fully multicultural teaching institution,” said Masiteng.  
 

Stanley Khumalo, Sanlam’s Financial Adviser in Bethlehem attended the handover of the legacy projects and said: “Sanlam understands the value of development and opportunity in realising one’s hopes. We believe that the Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup creates opportunities that not only have a positive impact on the youth, but also provide exposure to scouts for those pupils who have talent. Importantly, it also contributes to enhanced learning through improved educational facilities for the benefit of the rest of the pupils in the participating schools and the broader community.  
 
Kenneth Makhanya, representative of the Motsepe Foundation and the Ubuntu-Botho Development Trust concurred with Khumalo: “The partnership with Sanlam and SASFA has afforded us the opportunity to reach as many high schools as possible, touching lives and bringing smiles to as many pupils and communities as possible. It is a great honour and thoroughly humbling to be able to contribute to building strong societies while developing a culture of football in our country.”
 
Ntsu, led by coach Mafokane Masooa first competed in the Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup in 2004 when they were crowned Free State Provincial champions. Although they were runners-up last year, the rules of the tournament allow the teams that finish in first and second place in the Provincial finals to compete in the National finals and it was here where they excelled.
 
Said Masooa: “We were beaten by Harmony Academy to miss out on being Provincial champions, but we finished in fourth position in the finals which was even better. I have eight boys who also play for the PSL’s Free State Stars development programme, and their experience helped us a great deal.  
 
“The 2011 tournament is now underway and we are all geared up for the Regional finals this coming Saturday, and thanks to the new football kit and equipment, we are well prepared to fight for the top spot,” Masooa concluded.
 
The National finals of the Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup will be held between 13 and 16 July 2011.   

Ntsu High School u19 team receive their new football kit from Stanley Khumalo (center), Sanlam Financial Adviser, for their 4^th placed finish in the 2010 Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup

Ntsu High School u19 team receive their new school bus from Stanley Khumalo (center), Sanlam Financial Adviser, for their 4^th placed finish in the 2010 Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup

Stanley Khumalo of Sanlam and Moeketsi Masiteng School Principal of Ntsu High School during the handover of the R400 000 4^th place finish prize in the 2010 Kay Motsepe Schools Cup. This is a view in the Computer Lab that was funded by the winnings

 

Danone Nations Cup – it is show time in the Northern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal

The 2011 Danone Nations Cup is in full swing with KwaZulu-Natal and the Northern Cape next to host their Provincial finals on Saturday, 7 May.  Each Provincial winner will then compete in the National Finals scheduled for Eldorado Park, Gauteng, on 9 July.  The ultimate Champions will travel to Spain in October to represent South Africa in the 2011 Danone Nations Cup World Finals. With the recent re-structure of the SASFA KwaZulu Natal Province the number of competing teams has increased from four to ten meaning that six additional regions will get a chance to compete in the Provincial finals.

Sinenzuzo Primary School from Pinetown district won the 2010 Danone Nations Cup and went on to finish in 16th position out of 40 in the Danone Nations Cup World Finals held in South Africa, the first time the international leg has been held outside France.  However, the school did not manage to get past the District finals this year so will not be defending their title. 

One of the schools that will be playing at the King Zweletini Stadium in Umlazi on Saturday will be Ophuzane Primary School from Vryheid.  After being beaten by Sinenzuzo at the Provincial finals last year they are confident that they will get to the National finals this year.  The coach feels that the experience they gained last year will help the school as well as the fact that a number of the players will be in the team again this year.  

The teams that will be competing in the KwaZulu-Natal provincials are Suyraville Primary (Amajuba district), Ndabayakhe Primary (Empangeni district), Suiderland Primary (Ilembe district), Ndongeni Primary school (Umlazi district), Mthwazi Primary (Ubombo district), Taylors Primary (Mgungunlovu district), Ezamukuthula Primary (Uthukela district), Empathe Primary (Umzinyathi district), Hlongeni Primary (Ugu district), and Ophuzane Primary (Vryheid district). They will be facing each other at King Zweletini Stadium on Saturday 7 May.  Games start at 9.30am.

Meanwhile at the Kimberley Technikon High School five schools will be competing for the Provincial Champion title.  John Links, manager of the Dusselrivier Primary School in Namaqualand says:  “We have been competing in the Danone Nations Cup since 2009 and have finally managed to get to the Provincial finals.”

“To get to this position we have gone through many challenges, the main one being the fact that our school is very small and we have had to travel great distances to get to our games,” says Links. “But beside these challenges we have reached the Provincial finals and my boys have excellent discipline and dedication and we are counting down the days to Saturday.”

Last year’s Provincial winners, Port Nolloth Primary School from Namaqualand, were knocked out of the 2011 Danone Nations Cup at Regional level which has paved the way for the rest of the teams:  “Port Nolloth is a very strong football school that normally wins all the tournaments in the Northern Cape,” explained Link.  “Now that they are out it gives the rest of us the opportunity to get to the National finals.”

But Dusselrivier Primary will have stiff competition:  “We have been preparing for the Danone Nations Cup since January,” said 11 year old midfielder, Bakang Mainabo from Robanyane Toto Primary based in Upington.  “Personally I have never been outside Upington so just getting to play in Kimberley is exciting and I am really looking forward to competing against other schools and will pick up different football skills that will help me with my style of play.  The tournament slogan is ‘Believe in your dreams’ and my dream is to better my football and to reach the National Finals.”
The teams that will be competing in the Northern Cape Provincials are Kgabang Primary (Francis Baard district), Van Rensburg Primary (Pixley Kasime district), Imbruner Primary School (Siyanda district), Robanyane Toto Primary (John Taole district) and Dusselrivier Primary (Namaqualand district). The matches will be played at Galeshewe stadium in Kimberley on 7 May, kick-off at 9:00 am.

Group Danone, one of the world’s largest producers of dairy products, started the competition with the desire to act sustainably on behalf of children’s well-being and health. Football as a universal sport is the perfect way to promote values like fair play, the pleasure of the game, team spirit, sharing -and above all- human values like openness, and respect, explains Sandra Dorville, communications manager of Danone South Africa.

“By bringing healthy food and some good healthy fun together, children learn about life through a shared experience. And to those who get to the world finals, it is an experience that will undoubtedly become a cherished memory,” says Dorville. “The experience of interacting with teams from other cultures and places in the world while playing the beautiful game gives the international leg of the Danone Nations Cup the feeling of a real world cup, but only for under-12’s.”

ELETSA SECONDARY SCHOOL SCORES FROM THE SANLAM KAY MOTSEPE CUP PRIZE MONEY

Not only is Eletsa Secondary School of Brits in the North West successful in the classroom, but the school also excels on the soccer field. In 2010 the school produced a 90.3% Matric pass rate and 77 of its past students received Bachelor’s degrees. Their team finished in third position in the 2010 Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup finals which earned them R500 000.

The Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup is the biggest schools tournament in the country with the most prize money: R1 million for the winner, R600 000 for the runners-up, R500 000 and R400 000 for third- and fourth-place finishers respectively. Each school that wins their Provincial Final receives R100 000.

Named after Patrice Motsepe’s late mother, the tournament, sponsored by the Motsepe Foundation, Sanlam and Ubuntu-Botho has been running since 2004 and aims to contribute to the development of South African schools soccer and build future soccer stars. It also strives to unite the country’s youth through the shared love of the game and to promote football excellence.

Run under the auspices of the South African Schools Football Association (SASFA), prize money from the tournament is used to fund legacy projects that will benefit the winning schools. In the case of Eletsa, the school asked for the upgrading of classrooms,  a fence to secure the school premises and property, a borehole for clean running water helping to make the school self-sufficient, eight computers, air conditioners, restoration of the electricity and the upgrade of the sports facilities.

“SASFA is elated with what the school decided to procure with their prize money as this is in line with our motto of Education through Sport,” said SASFA CEO, Steve Pila. “We would once more like to take this opportunity to congratulate the school for their star achievement both academically and in sport.”  

School Principal, Tiny Mojahi, expressed his sincere gratitude for the projects that are now complete: “Everything we received from the Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup is vital to the successful functioning of the school. Firstly, we have not had water since June 2010 so we have been closing the school at 11am every day for hygiene and health reasons. Now the students can spend more time at school and I am sure our Matric pass rate will improve further.”

“Secondly, bad weather over the years resulted in electrical damages which we could not afford to fix. Now electricity has been restored and our educators and learners are able to function in a bright, friendly and warm environment. Where there is light – Eletsa leads!” continued Mojahi.

“Finally, the school is now safe and secure with a perimeter fence and we have introduced Computer Literacy as another subject which will directly enhance our learners’ school experience,” said Mojahi.

The soccer team that made these dreams come true is being given the well deserved credit for the part they played: “The boys are proud of themselves and what their performance has achieved for the school,” said coach, Dennis Mhlongo. “They are very excited about the prospect of playing in the Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup again this year. We are still competing at District level but we are optimistic of making it to the National finals. Our upgraded sports grounds will also help.”

Otto Schulze, Sanlam Business Manager, Rustenburg & Mafikeng, said: “Seeing the difference this prize fulfilment has made to the school is gratifying. Sanlam became involved with the Kay Motsepe Schools Cup as a result of its belief that football is a nation-builder and a source for the development of the leaders of tomorrow. This sponsorship fits with Sanlam’s strategic focus on education in South Africa, through the advancement of youth football as well as life skills. At Sanlam we believe this will provide an invaluable contribution to South Africa’s future.”

DANONE NATIONS CUP NORTH WEST AND MPUMALANGA PROVINCIAL FINALS - RESULTS

Mhlahle Primary School from the Bushbuckridge Region showed that determination and hard work can make dreams come true when they were crowned Mpumalanga’s Danone Nations Cup Provincial champions after beating Dumelani Primary School from Nkangala Region 1 – 0.  The games were held at the Ackerville Stadium in Witbank on Saturday, 16 April. The boys from Lillidale are now a step closer to going to Spain by booking themselves a place in the National Finals to be held on the 09^th July in Gauteng.

“This is the second time we are playing in the Danone Nations Cup,” said Team manger and Natural Science teacher, Caiphus Mtileni.  “Last year we didn’t even get to the Provincial Finals so I am so happy that, not only did we get there this year, but we are now through to the National Finals. The Danone Nations Cup is the highlight of our sports calendar, which I am sure it is for the majority of primary schools as it gives our youngsters an experience of a life time at such a young age. “

Explaining on his team performance Mtileni said: “I credit our success to my midfield.  I have two players that were particularly good.  In fact, our village has never produced a player that has gone on to compete in the PSL, but I think if trained correctly, there are a couple in my team with huge potential.”

Mhlahle Primary School was established in 1985 in the rural town of Lillidale where most of the youngsters come from single unemployed households that rely on child grants to survive.  The school currently has 700 learners and Mtileni believes that a trip to Spain for the youngsters would open their eyes to the world and would motivate then to strive harder to plot a life forward and then achieve their dreams.  “Our youngsters cannot even conceptualise what Spain is all about and a trip there would just broaden their minds to what else there is in the world.  That is why I am going to prepare the team well for the National Finals.”

“Our coach has a SAFA Level 0 certificate which qualifies him to teach youngsters of Under 12 age.  What will help us further is the fact that all the boys belong to one of the four Clubs in our village.  These coaches will give us a helping hand to train the players to peak on 9 July and hopefully lift the trophy.” said an excited Mtileni. Mpumalanga finished 6^th in the 2010 Danone Nations Cup

North West also held their Provincial Finals on the same day with Nosizwe Primary School from Stillfontein in Dr Kenneth Kaunda Region beating Stellaland Primary School from Dr Ruth Mompati region 3 – 0.

Nosizwe Primary’s team Captain, Goodman Mosele, led by example and opened the scoring. The score line was increased by teammates Lonamile Kweqe and Phobsa Bila to clinch a win that won them a place in the National Finals.

Nosizwe and Mhlahle Primary Schools will join Kgwahlele Primary school from Limpopo in the Danone Nations Cup National Finals scheduled for Eldorado Park on 9 July.  The next Provincial Final will take place on 7 May in KwaZulu Natal and Northern Cape.

The winner of the National Final will get to go to Madrid, Spain, to compete in the Danone Nations Cup World Final, the biggest Under 12 tournament in the world.  There will be 40 nations competing.  South Africa is the only country to have won the tournament three times (2003, 2007 and 2009).  The tournament is based on four pillars: the values of the passion for the game, openness, accessibility and fair play.  These pillars are important to the development of the player as his passion for the game develops at this age. The concept was also established to encourage the youth of the world to live healthy lifestyles and pay attention to nutrition.

RESULTS – MPUMALANGA PROVINCIAL FINALS

PHAPHAMANI PRIMARY SCHOOL (Gert Sibande Region)

DUMELANI PRIMARY SCHOOL (Nkangala Region)

MHLAHLE PRIMARY SCHOOL (Bushbuckridge Region)

MJAMENI PRIMARY SCHOOL (Ehlanzeni Region)

Phaphamani Primary School 2 (3p) vs Dumelani Primary School 2 (2)

Mhlahle Primary School 2 vs Majemeni Primary School 1

Mhlahle Primary School 1  vs Phaphamani Primary School 0

Majembeni Primary School  2 vs Dumelani Primary School 0

Majembeni Primary School  4 vs  Phaphamani Primary School 2

Mhlahle Primary School 2 vs  Dumelani  Primary School 0

FINAL LOG POSTION

1^st – Mhlahle Primary School – 9 pts

2^nd – Dumelani Primary School – 4 pts

3^rd – Majembeni Primary School – 3 pts

4^th – Phaphamani Primary School – 1 pts

FINAL

Mhlahle Primary School 1 vs.  Dumelani Primary School 0

RESULTS - NORTH WEST

STELLALAND PRIMARY SCHOOL (Dr Ruth Mompati Region)

MOSHANA PRIMARY SCHOOL (Ngaka Modiri Molema Region)

NOSIZWE PRIMARY SCHOOL (Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati Region)

TSHENOLO PRIMARY SCHOOL (Bojanala Region)

Stellaland Primary School 2 (4) vs. Nosizwe Primary School 2 (3)

Tshenolo Primary School 0 vs. Moshana Primary School 1

Tshenolo Primary School 1 vs. Stellaland Primary School 5

Nosizwe Primary School 1 vs. Moshana Primary School 0

Moshana Primary School 1 (2) vs.  Stellaland Primary School 1(3)

Nosizwe Primary School 4 vs Tshenolo Primary School 2

FINAL LOG POSTION

1^st – Nosizwe Primary School – 7 pts

2^nd – Stellaland Primary School – 5 pts

3^rd – Moshana Primary School – 4 pts

4^th – Tshenolo Primary School – 0 pts

FINAL

Nosizwe Primary School 3 vs.  Stellaland Primary School 0

DANONE NATIONS CUP – 2011 NORTH WEST PROVINCIAL CHAMPIONS – Nosizwe Primary School.