Minister Marais wishes SA Street Soccer Team Well

On Monday, 7 September 2015, Western Cape Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport, Anroux Marais addressed the team who will be representing South Africa at the Annual Homeless Street Soccer World Cup in Amsterdam from 12–20 September 2015.

Through community based street soccer initiatives, the team of 8 players was selected, of which 5 hail from the Western Cape. Minister Marais was welcomed with a warm up session in which she had the opportunity to “play ball” with the team. The team: Avuyile Pawule (Captain), Luayanda Dangatya (Vice Captain), Phakama Tiko, Lisolomzie Matwa, Dillion Fletcher, Masizqkhe Myatoga, Langalethu Mbathe and Bonke Ntomjama could not contain their excitement when Minister Marais handed over their kits and official caps to be donned at the international sporting event.

The South African Homeless Street Soccer programme, managed by Oasis Place is open to youth between the ages of 14–35 and aims to create soccer leagues in 20 local communities by 2020. The programme, which is officially registered with the Western Cape Department of Social Development, incorporates life skill training, HIV/AIDS awareness, as well as training camps in preparation for the Homeless Street Soccer World Cup. When the team returns after the World Cup, they will be involved in positive youth development initiatives such as the Oasis Place “Reach for Your Dream” programme which empowers youth and adults to become self-sustainable members of their communities.

Minister Marais is extremely proud of the team and grateful for the management and guidance provided by the team managers, coaches and support systems. Minister Marais said, “The team has risen above all odds and faced many challenges but they have now made positive choices one of which is to focus on street soccer and to be involved in youth development initiatives made available to them”.