MOTSEPE FOUNDATION SETS ASIDE R500 MILLION FOR SOCCER DEVELOPMENT Image 01 The Sandton Convention Centre was a hype of activity on 18:04:2013 when billionaire and owner of Mamelodi Football Club Patrice Motsepe, launched the Motsepe Foundation. The meeting was spearheaded by SABC sport presenter Andile Ncube, who showered praises on the foundation for its role in uplifting the development of soccer in South Africa. Steve Pila, the chief executive officer of SASFA (South African Schools’ Football Association), expressed his delight at the launch, maintaining that the foundation has risen above all odds, encouraging football development in all nine provinces. The partnership with schools started in 2004, received sponsorship to the value of R40million from the foundation, he said. With a total of 69,000 soccer – loving spread across the country, playing inter and cluster matches, the foundation, he believes, is on track to unearth latent soccer talent in the country. “The soccer development programme initiated b y the foundation has seen no less not ten boys being recruited by PSL Clubs such as Bidvest Wits, Mamelodi Sundowns and Amazulu, to name a few. President of the South African Schools’ Football Association echoed words quoted by his counterpart, Pila, as saying Sanlam came on board after the foundation to established the Sanlam - Cup Motsepe of which SASFA is the custodian .Projects that have taken off the ground have existed because of financial injection that has enabled the two bodies to make strides.. The R100, 000 prize that was recently won nearly caused concern as to who would benefit. It was decoded the money would be sunk into the purchasing facilities urgently needed like buses to ferry players to and from their destination. “Sanlam is a registered financial provider. We have created opportunities to empower schools keen on promoting soccer in the country. The foundation is a feeder to the mother body of football, SAFA, so that when stars emerge from development, they are roped into matured PSL Clubs to which Sanlam annually contributes a whooping R2million to the Motsepe Foundation.,” said Sanlam representative, Elena Meyer. “The Legacy Project was established in 1999 to ensure the improvement of lives among the poor communities. Several projects have come into existence through this initiative as a conduit for employment as jobs are scarce” said Steve Mashalane, a representative of Motsepe Foundation on legacy projects. The South African Football Association (SAFA) president Kirsten Nematandani said he had always dreamt of Motsepe Foundation as walking in the step of the now – defunct Chappies Little League, which has in the past produced versatile players like Steve “Chippa” Lekwelea, the former Moroka Swallows and Orlando Pirates midfielder, known for his accurate free kicks. Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula did not mince his words when he poured accolades on the Motsepe Foundation, classifying it as one of the best development channels South African has ever had. “May those that make their millions in goodwill and not through fraudulent means continue in their quest to assist those in need of financial assistance.. Our football, in the Motsepe Foundation joining the journey has begun. As government we must also give a hand to see to the development of football. The might at which the foundation is making its way into the hearts of soccer cannot be compared to anything”. The Minister cited Rosina Sedibane School in Pretoria as one of the most persistent, presently competing in league games in France. Mamelodi Sundowns and founder of Patrice Motsepe Foundation told the masses: School football is a foundation for development. As a family we were passionate about football. With the potential to maximize to the fullest in South Africa, football goes a long way. What actually inspired us to feed the poor through football is our unreserved love for the sport. Interviewed by e – TV, SABC Sport and other media outlets about the lackluster Mamelodi Sundowns have so far displayed the, owner said management is fully behind the coach, Pitso Mosimane and his technical team. “A team once often goes through a rigorous patch and that is where support comes in. We shall see what can be done at the end of the season but I can rest you assured we will bounce back. Football players are role models to many young budding stars, and the youth must see their rise through these football starts. There is, however, streak o0f recklessness when it comes to spending their money. I have surrounded myself with competitive people who have helped pave a path for the club. Asked if he did the right thing in choosing Mosimane following the dismal performance by former coach Neeskens, Motsepe said he and the technical side were positive Mosimane would deliver. Back to the foundation, Motsepe said the foundation will work in tandem with the South African Broadcasting Corporation as well as other relevant bodies to emphasize the growth of the foundation. Football: Given the see – saw performance at which Mamelodi Sundowns have is going, will heads roll? “No, emphasized the owner. As I have said, we need to reconstruct, improvise, and do everything in our power to see to the success of the club where we have failed.” South African Broadcasting Corporation acting chief executive officer Tlhaodi Motsoeng promised to have the finals and semi – finals of the Motsepe soccer tourneys, but given the packed schedule SABC has, another representative of the public broadcaster, Vusi Mavuso, assured Y - Express the station will live up to promise. “We are in the process of changing and improving on our work and the broadcasting of these tourneys could not have come at a better time. On the foundation, Mavuso said role models are created, and the foundation is the ethos of that. The seed that has been planted cannot die and will actually germinate to bear much more fruit. To date the Motsepe Foundation has already contributed a mouth – watering R32 million to communities. Mavuso quoted: “There is no purpose in life other than to sacrifice one’s opportunities and forego one’s benefit to lay down one’s life for future generations.”
Posted on: Sat, 03 Aug 2013 17:08:19 +0000
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