Investing in Our Youth During 16 Days of Activism

Various schools took part in a 5-a-side soccer tournament held at Mandela Park Stadium in Khayelitsha in honour of 16 Days of Activism on 6 December. The soccer tournament was a project hosted by the Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport, the Department of Community Safety, the South African Police Service, the City of Cape Town and Coca-Cola.

The youth, public and officials who attended were treated to a poem, Umbullali by Isiphiwo Primary School, one of the schools involved in the Mass participation; Opportunity and access; Development and growth (MOD) Programme. The poem was written by the students of the group and spoke about the factors that affect the youth of South Africa today.

Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport, Dr. Nomafrench Mbombo, spoke of the advantages of youth taking part in activities like soccer instead of becoming involved in crime. She highlighted the fact that participation plays a role in improving personal growth and nation building during her keynote address. During sport matches, the team you are playing against is not your enemy, but your opponent. If you lose, you shake your opponent’s hand, and say congratulations. We should take the values we learn from sports, and use them in our everyday lives’ said Minister Mbombo.

By being a host of this event, DCAS along with its partners shows that it is committed to providing the youth of the Western Cape with opportunities to grow and reach their full potential.