Byline: Andani Matumba
11 April 2022
As he gets a year older and in celebration of his birthday on 09 April 2022, a remarkable Aries and sports fanatic, Mr. Ntokozo Mthembu the founder and coach of Dinaledi Soccer Team donated brand new soccer boots to young soccer players in Embalenhle.
The handover ceremony took place at Embalenhle Sasol Club on Friday, 08 April 2022, in the presence of stakeholders in support of Dinaledi Soccer team.
The boys received 27 new pairs of soccer boots which were donated by Mr Mthembu with the joint efforts of his colleagues from different sectors.
Mr Mthembu said he was heartbroken while watching a soccer tournament the other day at Sasol Club in Embalenhle when he noticed most of the players participating in the tournament barefooted and that is when he realised the passion in their young hearts.
Therefore in celebration of his birthday, Mthembu thought he should do something different this year by giving back to the community.
Despite the changing weather with signs of rain and temperature dropping to a single digit, the soccer players still showed up in their numbers to receive their gifts.
“My wish was to collect 48 pairs soccer boots, but unfortunately we could only reach up to 27 soccer boots at this stage.
Our efforts do not end here and we will not rest until we
see that the boys are sored with full uniform,” said Mthembu with a sense of passion in supporting the boys.
According to Mthembu, soccer takes them out of the streets and during practice we apply training techniques which can be applied in a learning environment meaning that even a learner who is struggling at school can pick up a thing or two from soccer, and which also improves a healthy mind.
In her advise to the soccer players, Ms Nana Mavundane said, “We have been in the township and we have seen a lot and whatever your experiencing now, we have also experienced and overcame but know that you cannot overcome on your own.
The saying “man do not cry does not work”, you need to find someone you trust like Mr Mthembu whom you can share your challenges with,” she added with concern of the
stigma within the township concerning man and boys and the fact that they cannot share their problems because that is the reason why most man and boys turn to alcohol and substance abuse.
