Byline: Nonjabuliso Nhlambo

04 July 2023

Ithemba Lesizwe foundation hosted the winter games soccer tournament for young boys in and around eMbalenhle from Thursday 29 to Friday 30th of June. 

About 14 teams participated in the tournament. 

The aim of the tournament was to curb the use of drugs as well as drug abuse amongst young boys and to keep them off the streets during the school holidays.

Mr Richard  Nzukula said the purpose of the tournament was to give the young people or learners, something to do during the school holidays,

“As Ithemba Lesizwe NPO, we take it upon ourselves to try and organize these tournaments every quarter of the year, preferably, during school holidays, because when these young boys are not going to school and have nothing to do during that time.

We believe that it is during this time when young people start to try new good and bad things, children are curious and when left unattended for too long, they will make irreversible mistakes and we are trying to give them a purpose by arranging these soccer tournaments during school holidays.

As young as they are young and energetic, if their energy is not channeled in the right direction, then it will be wrongfully used and hurt both the young and the entire community,

We currently have a serious problem of drugs and crime within our communities and I  believe that as elders we are also contributing to these problems. 

Our communities have more churches, taverns and land which has been forcefully grabbed than it has for playing soccer fields for the youth,which is why we end up having gangsterism because of all the energy that our youth have.

This is merely because we are not giving them something good to do and channel their energy on”, said Mr Nzukula, outlining the main purpose of this tournament.

He further urged sponsors or funders to help the NPO foundation for them to continuously support the youth.

Furthermore, he said it was not easy organizing this tournament as they knocked on many doors, but without any luck, Nissan Secunda assisted by buying the four Trophies.

“We tried very hard to find someone to assist us with medals but without any luck, as the members of Ithemba Lesizwe, we had to take our own money and buy these medals in order for us to host this tournament.

It is always satisfying to see these children wearing smiles after being crowned champions. 

We are not doing this for money but we are passionate about helping our youth and prepare better adults for this country’s future,” Nzukula added.

Ithemba Lesizwe is pleading with sponsors who share the same passion to kindly come forward and adopt this good initiative by partnering with them. 

Their contact details are as follows: 

 (0721642379) Richard Ndzukula- ithemba lesizwe NPO Secretary/manager; and                                      

(0721292205) Themba Ndlovu  – Ithemba Lesizwe NPO chairperson.