The beautiful game of soccer connects South Africans and empowers young people to unleash their future potential. The sport is also instrumental in creating opportunities for the countryâs youth to develop their skills by engaging in productive activities.
Linking this undying passion for soccer with youth empowerment is the Shaka Annual Easter Soccer Tournament in Soshanguve â a three-day event that will see 20 teams, in master’s and open divisions, go head-to-head at Soshanguve’s Phillip Stadium and Curro Academy from Good Friday to Easter Sunday.
Collaborating with Shaka Student Residence, one of the biggest student accommodations in Soshanguve, and the HM Pitje Foundation, an organisation devoted to uplifting disadvantaged areas aligned perfectly with leading fibre provider Vumaâs commitment to helping communities where it can.
âWeâre thrilled at the chance to work on such a special event with the people of Soshanguve. Our philosophy of ‘if we can, we must’ guides us to work together with residents and our partners to connect people, and enable meaningful community building,â says Taylor Kwong, CSI Manager at Vuma. âOur goal is to build stronger and more inclusive communities through youth-oriented initiatives like this, empowering people from all walks of life through creating extraordinary opportunities.â
âAnything is possible when we work together as a community, and this tournament is a testament to that. We’re proud to be able to focus our collective effort towards making our youth more resilient to crime, drug use, and violence through this beautiful sport,â says Tshepo Letjane, Founder of Shaka Student Residence. “Our vision for this tournament is to uplift and remodel the community by taking our youth, who have so much potential and talent, off the streets.”
Shaka Student Residence has also brought on some of South Africa’s legendary former soccer heroes to officiate matches, with names like former Mamelodi Sundowns captain; Thabo Ntethe, former Orlando Pirates defender; Lucky Lekgwathi, and Supersport United’s Themba Mnguni making an appearance on the day.
“The HM Pitje foundation prides itself in being part of this initiative. The Foundation’s roots are deeply embedded in the township of Soshanguve. To date, the foundation has invested over R15 million to support the communities of Soshanguve, Mamelodi and others,â says HM Pitje Foundation CEO, Kgomosto Moloantoa. âWe now further cement our commitment to our communities through the Shaka Easter Soccer Tournament. We hope this tournament will help make a positive change in the community.â
The Shaka Annual Easter Soccer Tournament will kick off on Good Friday at 10 am. The final will take place on Sunday, with the first-place open winners walking away with R20 000, while the master’s division winners will take home R5 000.
