Laureus Times
A SPECIAL CELEBRATORY 10 YEAR EDITION
P 11
Surf board
signing
P 14
P 20
Laureus shoe
making its mark
YES!
We did it!
Free
A Decade In
the Making.
Congratulations
Laureus South Africa!
Main (fltr) Mike Horn, Shaun Pollock, 'Baby Jake' Matlala, Natalie du Toit, Morné du Plessis, Lucas Radebe and Bryan Habana Top Right Mike Horn with
guest speaker Achmat Hassiem Right John Robbie, Programme Director Bottom Right Marimba Band welcomes the guests
It was a day of celebration and joy as many of the
greatest names of South African sport teamed up
in Cape Town to congratulate the Laureus Sport
for Good Foundation Trust South Africa on its 10th
birthday.
An amazing guest list included two Members
of the Laureus World Sports Academy, Mike Horn
and Mornè du Plessis, Laureus Ambassadors Bryan
Habana, Schalk Burger, 'Baby Jake' Matlala, Ryan
Sandes, Shaun Pollock, Lucas Radebe, John Robbie
and Natalie du Toit, plus legendary South African
celebrities Bridgette Hartley, Achmat Hassiem,
Vanessa Haywood, Ilse Hayes and Chris Bertish.
Several Laureus Ambassadors, who could not be
there, such as Paralympic heroes Oscar Pistorius
and Ernst van Dyk, sent their best wishes.
One of the highlights of the day was the
announcement of Cecil Afrika, one of the most
exciting rugby sevens players in the world, as
Laureus Ambassador.
Also the name of the newest Laureus-supported
project, the Hout Bay Cycling Club in Cape Town,
was announced.
Since its inception, Laureus South Africa, with
the support of their Country Patron Discovery, has
funded sports-based community projects around
“
It has been a fantastic
achievement and we can
allow ourselves a few
moments to celebrate but
we are already looking
forward to the next
decade. There is still so
much work to do.
”
the country which have helped to improve the lives
of more than 70,000 children and tackled many of
the social ills that are affecting young people today.
But while enjoying the moment, rugby legend
Morné du Plessis, the Chairman of the Laureus
Sport for Good Foundation South Africa, said, “It
has been a fantastic achievement and we can allow
ourselves a few moments to celebrate but we are
already looking forward to the next decade. There
is still so much work to do.”
Morné recalled how Laureus began. “The first
gathering of Laureus Academy Members in Monaco
was addressed by President Mandela. Everybody
was slightly sceptical about the concept of sport
being a force in a society. But then he came into
the room and for the first time we heard the words
‘Sport has the power to change the world.’ That has
now become almost a motto, not just for Laureus,
but for the whole sporting movement in society.”
“We now have programmes probably touching
on every social issue that our society needs to deal
with in all corners of South Africa, with an amazing
array of sporting stars and the energy of the local
people and our management in South Africa.”
Springbok rugby star Bryan Habana said:
“Being able, as a Laureus Ambassador, to make
a difference in people's lives by just giving of
yourself where needed is an unbelievably humbling
experience and touches one's heart like nothing
else. Well done to all at Laureus for the 10 years of
dedication and amazing work, in wanting to make
a difference to those who so greatly need it within
South Africa.”
Another highlight of the day was the presentation
of the 'Laureus Shoe' which had been made by
children in Grade 6 and 7 of Woodlands Primary
School in Heideveld, Cape Town – this is where
the Laureus-supported project Great Commission
United draws their participants from.
Each child made a shoe for a special Laureus
guest as a token of thanks for their contribution
to the success of the Laureus Foundation in South
Africa.
During the event, Laureus South Africa
Chairman Morné du Plessis thanked Discovery for
the stalwart support over the years. He said, “In the
early days Discovery came to us saying, ‘We think
this is a fantastic idea and we would like to support
you in putting up a local Foundation.’ And so one of
the first national Laureus Foundations was formed
ten years ago and now we are looking towards our
next decade.”
2
Editor's Desk
Bridging divides and building lives
Morné looks back upon the last 10 years of doing good in South Africa
What lessons have you learnt from being
a team player that have been instilled in
the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation
South Africa?
All the good teams I have belonged to have
focussed on a common goal or objective and
subscribe broadly to a similar set of values.
Discipline and creativity, loyalty, respect and
consideration for others in the team, are foremost
in this set of values, but importantly, while
winning and achievement is vital to successful
teams, equally the way in which the victory is
achieved is the measure of an outstanding team.
At Laureus we are all focussed on a common
objective of improving the lives of young people
by using sport as a tool for social change, we work
to inspire and support the project role models,
champions, coaches, mentors and motivators.
Name 3 people you have met over the last
ten years that have inspired you?
Nelson Mandela, Mike Horn, and all the coaches
and project leaders of the Laureus projects.
What selection criteria do you look for
when considering a new project?
good reporting structures, other sources of
funding, a clear social component of the project
and strong sports culture.
When looking at all that the Foundation
has achieved over the last ten years, could
anything have been done differently?
Contributors
Chairman
Morné du Plessis
Trustees
Iain Banner
Marlene Coetzee-George
Hylton Kallner
Lucas Radebe
Ntambi Ravele
Foundation Manager
Prudence Fester
For much of the time we built this bridge as
we were walking on it, given that we had no
precedent of a similar road travelled. With the
help of the Laureus Global Foundation, the
growth and power of the Laureus brand and
the lessons learnt in other parts of the world,
we have moved forward. We probably could
have spent more time and resources in training
and development of the project leaders and
project role models to equip them with the skills
required to drive and manage projects to their full
potential.
Laureus Staff
Gita Carroll
Marvin Newman
Laureus Sport For Good
Foundation Trust South Africa
Sports Science Institute, Boundary
Road, Newlands, 7700, South Africa
Tel: +27 (0)21 659 5610
Fax: +27 (0)21 659 5601
Email: PFester@ssisa.com
www.laureus.co.za
www.laureusarchive.com
What lessons do you think the
Foundation could teach the world?
Laureus Sport for Good Foundation
Limited. Registered in South Africa:
IT2573/2002
The Foundation now has empirical proof from
research conducted on many of the projects
that sport does have the power to make positive
changes to people's lives.
A global initiative of
and
.
Key to the selection of the project is the passion
and involvement of the project founders and
leaders. Also a track record of good governance,
Country Patron
Published by Schreiber Media
Laureus Sport for Good
Laureus’ core concept is simple, brilliant and daunting:
to create global awards that recognise the achievements
of today’s sports heroes; to bring sports people together;
united in achievement but divided by sporting code. Once
that community is brought together, to put their reach
and the support and investment of Laureus’ Founding
Patrons and Partners to work by supporting a message
that can help social projects around the world who are
using sport as a tool for social change. That message,
simply, is Laureus Sport for Good.
The Laureus World Sports Awards is now
recognised as the greatest televised sporting
awards show in the world. It honours the
achievements of top sportsmen and women
and is supported by well-known sportspeople,
as well as international celebrities from
entertainment and business.
The Laureus World Sports Academy is a select group of
sporting legends, who act as flag bearers for Laureus.
Led by Chairman Edwin Moses, members of the Academy
include Morné du Plessis, Gary Player, Nadia Comaneci
and John McEnroe among many others. The Academy
forms the panel that decides on the winners at the Laureus
World Sports Awards and act as global ambassadors for
the work of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation.
The Laureus Sport for Good
Foundation is a charitable
organisation that supports many
projects across the world. It uses
sport to influence positive social
change, from religious intolerance
in Ireland, to gangsterism in the
USA and poverty in India.
The Laureus Sport for Good
Foundation Trust South
Africa is a local chapter
of the Laureus Sport for
Good Foundation. The first
Foundation to be launched
globally in October 2002.
Support
3
Global Partners
Laureus was founded by its Patrons Richemont and Daimler and is supported by its Global
Partners Mercedes-Benz and IWC Schaffhausen.
Mercedes-Benz
IWC Schaffhausen
Mercedes-Benz, the world’s oldest automaker, can look back on a unique tradition. It is the most
valuable automotive premium brand which stands for quality, safety, comfort, design and sustainable
mobility. Mercedes-Benz enjoys an excellent reputation, particularly in the field of safety. Many
pioneering technical innovations that are standard automotive features today were first seen in
a Mercedes-Benz car. The Mercedes-Benz engineers will in the future consistently reinvent the
automobile – with the same enthusiasm and innovation as Gottlieb Daimler and Carl Benz in 1886.
Moreover, Mercedes-Benz has been actively supporting professional and amateur sport for decades and
has become established as a dependable partner in the fields of motor sport, football, golf, horse riding
and tennis. Mercedes-Benz is a Global Partner of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation. Since the
beginning of the Foundation's operations in 2000, Mercedes-Benz has shared and supported the goals
and values of this worldwide charity programme where sport plays the core role in the fight against
social issues - Laureus has become a vital element of the corporate social responsibility programme of
Mercedes-Benz.
With a clear focus on technology and development, the Swiss watch manufacturer IWC Schaffhausen
has been producing watches of lasting value since 1868. The company has gained an international
reputation based on a passion for innovative solutions and technical ingenuity. One of the world’s
leading brands in the luxury watch segment, IWC crafts masterpieces of Haute Horlogerie at its finest,
combining supreme precision with exclusive design.
Country Patron
“Congratulations Laureus!”
A note from Discovery
Hylton Kallner
Chief Marketing Officer
Discovery Marketing
Discovery was immediately inspired by the
vision and purpose on which the Laureus Sport
for Good Foundation South Africa was founded. It
was this vision and the real positive difference that
Laureus makes in the lives of South African youth
through sport that compelled Discovery to become
the country patron for Laureus in South Africa.
Since the first year of our partnership, we have
committed R25 million in funds over a ten-year
period to Laureus to help fund their South African
based projects across the country. We are proud to
have seen the remarkable growth of Laureus from
just two projects in the first year to 16 countrywide projects, reaching more of the South African
youth and making a difference in their lives.
These projects leverage the power of sport to help
our youth address issues relevant to them, such
as drug abuse, violence, and tensions between
communities, racial and religious intolerance,
and HIV/AIDS. The work Laureus does is in line
with our core purpose of making people healthier,
enhancing and protecting their lives, and ensuring
that current and future generations benefit from
our collective expertise and resources in promoting
healthy living and a healthy society.
As we look back on our ten year partnership with
Laureus, we can be immensely proud of what we
have achieved together. Through these projects,
we have made a positive difference to the lives
of over 70,000 young people, empowering them
with essential life skills such as leadership and
communication skills, and ensuring our youth
understand the importance of regular exercise and
good nutrition to stay healthy and fit to prevent
injury and illness.
As the proud country patron of Laureus, we wish
to congratulate them on this achievement of ten
years of incredible work. We look forward to the
next decade of uplifting our nation through sport.
4
In Focus
Quest for Success
Marlene
CoetzeeGeorge
General Manager,
Sports Science
Institute of SA
We are 10 years old, and while on
the one hand we say that with a degree
of pride and accomplishment, it's on
the other hand hard to believe that
so much sand has passed through the
hourglass of this wonderful movement
we call Laureus.
‘Sport has the power to change
the world’ we said with so much
confidence at the media launch of the
Laureus SA Foundation in October
2002, yet none of us fully appreciated
the inherent capacity of this fledgling
foundation to consistently drive
meaningful change.
This would only become evident in
the years to come. We embarked on a
search for projects that have managed
to successfully utilise sports’ ability
to bring about results that are positive
and long-lasting. What exactly were
we looking for? We were looking for
projects capable of transforming the
use of a soccer ball as a mere piece
of equipment to dribble through a set
of soccer cones – instead the soccer
ball must become a teaching aid to
demonstrate how young people can
manoeuvre their way around the social
pitfalls like gangsterism and substance
abuse.
Where did we find these projects you
ask? Most of them found us through the
numerous opportunities we initiated
for our global ambassadors and role
models to engage with our grantees at
grassroots level.
From Daley Thompson in Somerset
West, to Kapil Dev in Umlazi, Dame
Kelly Holmes in Khayelitsha and Tony
Hawk in the Valley of 1000 Hills, to
name but a few.
We have also learned a lesson or two
from our projects, ‘our youngsters need
local heroes’ they said. People who
have made it through the challenges in
Soweto, Gugulethu and Heideveld.
We agreed and proceeded to
assemble a cadre of local heroes
from Lucas Radebe to Desiree Ellis,
Shaun Pollock and Bryan Habana –
all committed and passionate about
sharing their journey from community
club to National Squad.
We are reasonably excited about
those things we set out to do 10 years
ago that we have managed to execute
with success. We know however that
our work has only just begun. There
are still too many young people who
fall prey to the destructive power of
substance abuse, too many who still
pick up arms instead of a sport, too
many opting for truancy and ultimately
dropping out with no goals and
aspirations beyond the limitations of
their community.
These social challenges remain
the reality that many youngsters with
hopes, dreams and aspirations have to
circumvent in their quest for success.
Laureus must therefore remain
relentless in their mission to instill
hope and to create opportunities for
empowerment and development – the
ladders that present a way up and out
with sport as the tool.
Marlene Coetzee-George is an educator by profession with many years
experience in the field of both secondary and adult eduction. In 1997 Marlene
was employed by the Sports Science Institute of South Africa, to pioneer the
introduction of their age appropriate community based exercise programmes
into the community. And in 2002 she embraced the opportunity to join the
Laureus Sport for Good Foundation Trust, South Africa. Marlene was the
first Foundation Manager between 2002 and 2006 and was appointed as a
Laureus Trustee in 2010. She is currently the General Manager of the Sports
Science Institute of South Africa.
Look up, get up, never give up!
PeacePlayers International – South Africa
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Innocent Latha
PPI - SA
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ureus spor
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completed his Sports Management
Diploma at Durban University of
Technology, while still serving as a
coach. When he finally managed to
tear himself away from his roots
at PPI-SA, he was recruited by the
Department of Sports and Recreation.
PPI-SA has three “tiers” each
catering for different needs. The
Primary School Programme (PSP)
focuses on Grade 6 and 7 learners from
37 primary schools. Teams have a coach
and practice three times a week after
school. The life skills component focuses on
children’s rights, HIV/AIDS awareness, selfesteem and daily issues within the community.
Around 860 participants complete this phase
annually.
The Leadership Development Programme (LDP) caters
for youngsters who have graduated from the PSP programme yet
are still keen to remain part of the organisation. They are invited to
try out for one of 12 male or 12 female community teams, which make
up the LDP teams from each community. Levels of basketball and life
skills are much higher here and they focus more on peer education.
This consists of two core themes: “Designing your future” and “HIV/
AIDS prevention”.
The last tier, the Professional Development Programme (PDP), is
geared towards contributing to SA’s economy. Graduates from the LDP
programme are identified, recruited and trained as coaches. PPI-SA
presently employs 41 coaches, who all serve as agents of change and
role models. A more attractive benefit is the stipend they are paid for
this. Currently 98% of PPI-SA’s coaches are graduates from the LDP
programme, many of whom are successfully employed by corporate
companies and government departments.
The support of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation South Africa,
has enabled PPI-SA to continue to have a positive impact on both the
participants and the coaches. Since the inception of this successful
partnership, over 50 coaches have participated in Laureus Role Models'
Retreats, which have become valuable platforms for young adults to
become inspired by others from similar backgrounds. “Overcoming
adversity and inspiring others through hope is an amazing way to
nurture greatness,” says Douwie.
o
“Money is the root of all evil”, goes the popular saying, but in
poverty stricken rural areas having no money is the real evil. To the
rescue comes PeacePlayers International – South Africa (PPI-SA), the
local arm of the global PeacePlayers International initiative, which
uses basketball to help young people in KwaZulu-Natal overcome
the two greatest threats they face in their daily lives – HIV/AIDS and
the lack of education and employment opportunities. Basketball is a
fantastic sport when it comes to teaching self-discipline and teamwork
and a bonus is that the after-school programme provides a safe haven
for children to learn, interact and have fun in a safe environment.
In response to the staggering toll HIV/AIDS has inflicted on South
Africa, KwaZulu-Natal in particular, PPI-SA has boosted its peace
building programme with a ground-breaking life skills curriculum.
Developed in partnership with the Harvard School of Public Health's
Centre for the Support of Peer Education the focus is on “grooming
wholesome individuals,” according to Operations Manager Ryan
Douwie.
Trained coaches are mentors and educators, representing older
brothers and sisters, rather than authority figures. Sessions are
conversational and interactive games build trust, allowing the
organisation to successfully reach children; even when talking about
sensitive issues such as HIV/AIDS, gender, drugs and alcohol. PPI - SA
works with nearly 1,000 participants a year and has seen participants
become leaders. Nasiphi Khafu and Andile Msomi, both joined PPISA as participants and have gone on to excel in leadership skills.
“PeacePlayers International hired me as a coach in 2008 and I was very
excited to finally get an opportunity to make a change in kids’ lives,”
says Nasiphi. “I loved every day and enjoyed every experience. The
most rewarding gift was the smiles on children’s faces, while having
fun and learning at the same time. In 2010, I got the opportunity to
be an Area Coordinator for seven schools in the city area. It’s been a
great experience and now I am looking forward to more opportunities
for growth within PeacePlayers, hopefully to make a difference among
South Africa’s youth,” reflects Nasiphi on her achievements. Both
Nasiphi and Andile were recently chosen to represent PPI-SA at the
Laureus Youth Empowerment through Sports (YES) pilot programme.
Andile is equally enthusiastic about her experience so far. “First of
all, I would like to send my gratitude to PeacePlayers International for
giving me a tremendous opportunity to take part in the YES programme
and to meet such wonderful people. I couldn’t be any happier. It really is
an honour and means a lot that I was considered for this programme.”
Another success story is Cebo Dakkie. A former participant, he
f
“Overcoming adversity and inspiring others through hope is an amazing way to
nurture greatness.” Ryan Douwie – Operations Manager PeacePlayers International
'Baby Jake' at the PeacePlayers International
City-Wide Tournament in Chatsworth
5
In Focus
The vision for a Foundation
Iain Banner
Laureus SA Trustee
How did the concept of Laureus Sport for
Good Foundation come about?
Richemont chairman, Johann Rupert, had the
idea to create a world sports award event. In 1998
he mandated me to develop the idea. During this
process we realised that the awards would be a lot
stronger with the addition of two components – an
academy and a foundation. The role of the academy
was as to act as the voting electorate, in other
words, athletes judging athletes and the foundation
evolved into the soul of Laureus. In considering
prizes for the winners, we realised that because
the winners were already successful, money would
not necessarily be a motivating factor for them.
We thought it better that the money be donated
to a good cause. After considering whether the
money should be donated according to the athlete's
charity of choice, we thought it best to set up our
own foundation for Laureus, from which we could
allocate funding to worthy causes. Originally we
hired a company in the UK called Good Business to
help us formulate this concept, who also came up
with our name – Sport for Good.
The founding patrons, Richemont and Daimler,
agreed to fund the Foundation on a yearly basis.
As part of our strategy we also looked at how to
build regions around the world that would have
the capacity to raise funds for the Laureus vision
in their area. And at the founding meeting of the
Academy in May 2000, Johann Rupert and Dieter
Zetsche, Chairman of Daimler, confirmed that
any surplus funds generated from the Awards
programme would be for the benefit of the
Foundation.
Why was South Africa identified as
the first country to form a national
Foundation?
The South African Foundation came about through
a series of timely and opportunistic events. Morné
du Plessis had a relationship with Discovery. At
the second Laureus World Sports Awards held
in 2001, Adrian Gore, CEO of Discovery and the
Marketing Director at the time, Neville Koopowitz,
were invited to attend. During a meeting in
Monaco with 30 of the world’s top athletes on the
Academy, Adrian and Neville immediately saw
the potential of Laureus and agreed to become the
Country Patron of the South African Foundation.
Morné’s invaluable contribution in setting up
the local Foundation, along with the fact that the
idea for Laureus originated with Johann Rupert
in the Cape also played a big part. The South
African Foundation continues to lead the way and
innovates to this day.
How did sports, sponsorship and social
responsibility combine to create Laureus
Sport for Good Foundation South Africa?
From the outset there was a commitment by all
the parties involved that all the benefits would
be for the Sport For Good Foundation. There was
certainly a commercial objective to sustain the
business that was being developed, yet any surplus
funds from sponsorship, television or hosting rights
was to be donated to the Foundation. As Laureus
has grown globally it has generated the funding
needed to cover its yearly overheads as well as
surplus funds from additional country sponsors. It’s
been a true social marketing initiative and Laureus
has, to a degree, led the way in social marketing
and shown how sponsorship and social issues can
work hand in hand.
Over the past 10 years what and who has
surprised you the most?
to society; and that Johann's vision has converted
into something really sustainable.
When Laureus began we always believed it could
become a movement for good in the world, but
I now believe it has the potential to become one
of the most significant movements in world
sport. I base this on the fact that in addition to
the sporting legends that make up the Academy,
current sporting superstars, in the form of the
Ambassadors, are embracing Laureus for what it
stands for and are doing it for the good that’s on
offer. This makes it a very powerful movement
for good. We’re starting to see the benefits of this
in how the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation
is developing around the globe. What pleasantly
surprised me was the commitment of the sporting
community as a whole and the contribution of time,
name, likeness and image from world renowned
athletes who see Laureus as a platform to give back
How does the Foundation continue to
innovate and maintain its relevance?
the disease or not.”
Agresham makes it clear that
despite the fight being won to
offer better treatment to people
with HIV/AIDS in South Africa,
another more persistent problem
remains: the stigma around AIDS.
“We are teaching those with the
disease to accept themselves, which is key.
We teach them that they are human beings just
like anyone else,” Shingange says.
Helping support young people with HIV/AIDS is
one of the project’s most important aims. Shingange
explains why this is the case. He talks of how he
has seen young people grow up and withdraw
into themselves, not taking advantage of school
opportunities and ultimately falling further into ill
health without any support at all. This is what he
and the Sport for All team work tirelessly to change.
The figures for HIV/AIDS prevalence in South
Africa are nothing but tragic. The BBC reports that
over 10% of the population has the disease, resulting
in 2.1 million children being left orphaned.
Shingange can testify to this reality. In Palmridge,
he is familiar with seeing homes led by children
barely 15 years old, where those orphans who have
developed the disease themselves are often left with
no-one to turn to. Life-saving drugs may be on offer
to these individuals, but it isn’t necessarily easy to
get access to them without help and support from
someone else.
Sport for All helps with just such practical
problems of life with AIDS.
“We help them liaise with government
departments dealing with these issues. Making
sure they are taking the medication the government
offers them. And by using sport as the tool to attract
them in the first place, the support available to these
youngsters doesn’t stop at securing medication; it
goes on to a whole package of life-support. These
kids are so often without the right information
about the Government Departments that can help.
So, with our assistance, they can approach the right
people for grants, clothes, housing and food. With or
without the disease we want them to be something
in life. That’s the message we’re trying to give,”
Shingange says.
And the changes have proved profound.
“We are seeing the impact,” he explains. “One
girl whose parents died of AIDS, was particularly
vulnerable. She was ill. She stopped going to
school. But we encouraged her to go back and were
even able to support her with her school fees. She
succeeded and completed her high school studies.
Now she wants to give back to us and she coaches
other kids that are suffering now as she once did. She
is making sure they have a new lease on life too.”
This incredible work is being done throughout the
world, proving sport isn’t just great fun but really can
change lives.
It’s encouraging to see that other organisations
have followed the Laureus path – the more people
who are using sport for good, the better. Research
has become an important part of showcasing
benefit, especially to justify continued support
and growth. A lot of scientific work is being done
in this regard, in conjunction with the knowledge
we get from people dealing with social challenges
firsthand in communities around the world. The
constant sharing of this knowledge gives one an
advantage and this can be seen in evidence at the
Laureus Sport For Good seminars and conferences
which take place around the world.
Against
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“They are teaching children infected
or affected by HIV/AIDS to accept
themselves. They have to realise they
are valuable people whether they
have the disease or not.” Agresham
Shingange - Field Site Officer Sport
for All
f
Sport for All
Right Laureus Ambassadors Ruud Gullit,
Lucas Radebe and Desiree Ellis visit
Sport for All in Palmridge
Just miles from the bustling metropolis of
Johannesburg, the men, women and children of
Palmridge township live in homes built from little
more than scrap.
An estimated 700,000 people live here.
Conditions are cramped and despite being
surrounded by an industrial area, unemployment is
high.
It is little surprise that luxuries such as sport and
places to play are hard for the youngsters to come by.
Thankfully, however, they are not all lost.
Past a patch of what looks like a rubbish dump, an
unlikely expanse of field sits at the town’s edge. It is
a place where the area’s young people can come with
friends to play cricket, kick a football around, even
play netball. A place where they know they are safe.
It is a place where they can escape from the
cramped houses in which some of them live.
And for a small few, it is a place where they can
learn that despite being born with AIDS, they still
have a rich and fulfilling life ahead of them.
Much of this is thanks to the work of the Laureussupported Sport for All project, an incredible
venture that is helping change the lives of young
people from the township in remarkable ways and
helping them deal with some of the tough issues
they face.
One of the most challenging of these is the high
rate of HIV/AIDS in the area.
“Most houses are headed by children whose
parents have died through the disease,” says
Agresham Shingange, a leader at the project. “We
make sure we can help these kids and that they
realise they’re valuable people, whether they have
6
In Focus
We are the champions!
In 1999 Radio DJ Kevin Fine decided
that a great way to educate children was
through play and sport. As Managing
Director of Little Champs, he has moved
his voice from radio to disadvantaged
areas to talk on behalf of young kids aged
between two and six.
“It became evident that there was a
growing need to provide a programme
of special-needs education for early
learners among the disenfranchised
communities in South Africa,” says Fine.
Little Champs has now been part of
the Laureus Sport for Good family since
2005 and has a unique way it approaches
the youngest citizens of South Africa.
The programme is designed to help
young children with underdeveloped,
motor and social skills, delayed cognitive
learning and issues with literacy and
numeracy. The decision to join the
Laureus Sport for Good Foundation
South Africa six years after initiating
the programme in Alexandra township
outside Johannesburg, has seen it
blossom. The support of a strong
leadership team and a handful of
sporting celebrities has also helped.
On a regular basis, you’ll find the likes
of Lucas Radebe, or tennis legend
Martina Navratilova, working with
the group to generate media
interest and introduce new
funders and beneficiaries to the
project. The Laureus Academy
Forum, which attracted a number of
World Sports Academy Members and
Ambassadors to South Africa in 2006,
was a particular highlight for the Little
Champs project, who proudly hosted
the local contingent in Alexandra.
Watching sporting greats such as Edwin
Moses, Kapil Dev, Monica Seles, Sir
Bobby Charlton and Morné du
Plessis playing with children of the
informal settlement was a touching
and moving moment which
reminded everyone of the universal
appeal of sport.
More than 2,000 participants a
year now benefit from sport
and the necessary life skills.
An additional branch has
Little Champs
sprung up in Gugulethu, Cape Town,
where the much-needed activities
offer both children and adults alike a
form of education and physical activity
– both critical for mental health and
development.
However, Little Champs is not just
about fun and games. Academic research
was commissioned in conjunction with
the Laureus Foundation to prove the
effectiveness of their unique approach.
The University of Cape Town evaluated
the effectiveness of the programmes.
Dr. Catherine Draper of the UCT/MRC
Research Unit for Exercise Science and
Sports Medicine tackled the research
and sought to understand the impact on
participants of Little Champs.
“We wanted to see how effective our
curriculum was in terms of our promise to
‘educate children through play and sport’
and the results were overwhelmingly
positive,” says Fine.
“This supported the view that both
the physical and cognitive development
of the children were catered for and this
evidence has undoubtedly influenced
our sponsors, sporting organisations
and government bodies in highlighting
the immense value the project offers,”
continued Fine.
As with many other collaborations
that exist between the Laureus Sport for
Good Foundation and innovative social
sporting ventures around the country,
Little Champs has lived up to its name of
producing future champions among the
next generation of children across South
Africa.
“Little Champs is not just about fun, it offers much
needed education and physical activity, critical for the
mental health and development of the next generation
of children across South Africa.” Kevin Fine – Managing
Director Little Champs
Fighting fire
His boxing gloves are the size of his head and
his shorts almost reach his ankles, but Thomas
Mbatha, 8 years old, is focused firmly on the punch
bag in front of him. His greatest strength however,
is not how hard he can hit this bag, but rather how
he has been able to turn his defensive, angry and
disempowered attitude into a self-motivated,
disciplined and compassionate one. The Fight with
Insight project has given him this, along with the
belief that other young people like him can be guided
to behave appropriately through life skills training,
not through a punitive criminal justice system.
“Keep your right fist at your chin at all times!"
shouts Anton Gilmore, Programme Manager and
cofounder of this unique boxing academy. Gilmore
and founding partner Luke Lamprecht move
among the group of waist-high kids instructing and
repositioning the kids' stances as they turn them
from victims into heroes. The pair realised long ago
that a society in which men take responsibility for
not harming themselves and others was something
that could be taught, ironically, through boxing.
“The aim is to empower boys and men with
respect, discipline and adaptive coping skills,”
says Gilmore. “We target boys who are at risk of
becoming victims or perpetrators of violence and
abuse and teach them the art of boxing.”
The rules of boxing closely parallel those in
life, such as respect for yourself and those around
you. Learning to abide by the referee's decision
and moving on when the fight is over are crucial
life lessons. The programme highlights four
key principles that are important in boxing: first
impressions, consequence to action, compassion
and moving forward positively.
Lamprecht and Gilmore started Fight With
Insight, a project of the Box Office Gym, in 2006 as a
way of focusing the roles and responsibilities of boys
and men in the cycle of violence and abuse. Gilmore,
who runs the programme, is an ex pro boxer, trainer
and promoter, with over 20 years of experience in
seeing firsthand the positive impact boxing has on
Fight with Insight
the lives of young South Africans. Lamprecht has
over 20 years of experience in the child protection
and development field and works with many
Non-Profit Organisations. They are supported by
Sheri Errington, a researcher with monitoring and
evaluation experience in the not-for-profit sector.
In partnership with the Teddy Bear Clinic for
Abused Children, the project currently targets
boys who have been accused of committing sexual
offences. Diverting these kids from the criminal
justice system and into the programme has seen
84 children between the ages of 7 and 18 join The
Teddy Bear Clinic in Johannesburg.
“Here we evaluate the psychosocial impact of
cognitive-behavioural therapy and boxing on the
rehabilitation of these kids,” says Lamprecht. “A
study in 2010 showed improved self-esteem and
high social problem-solving abilities. Further
research conducted by Dr Catherine Draper of the
UCT/MRC Research Unit for Exercise Science and
Sports Medicine, through the support of Laureus
showed the positive change and learning that took
place in these children’s lives.”
Set up as a result of the generous financial
assistance provided by the Laureus
Sport for Good Foundation
South Africa Fight With Insight
continues to enjoy the support of
Laureus. The Laureus Leadership
Summit, a project exchange with
Fight for Peace Brazil, along
with the promotion of quality
leadership and good governance
within the organisation, have
all contributed to the growth of
the project. And when legendary
World Middleweight Champion
'Marvellous' Marvin Hagler walks
through the door you know you
must be doing something right. A
visit from this Laureus Academy
Member has been a milestone for
the project.
Waiting for boys who are already in conflict with
the law is one solution, but reaching those at risk
of coming into conflict with the law or vulnerable
children is a more sustainable alternative. “A strong
focus on youth mentorship gives this vulnerable
group a sense of belonging and hope for a positive
future,” says Gilmore. “Focusing on boys who are
vulnerable and at risk of becoming
victims or perpetrators of violence,
we actively work towards
breaking this cycle of abuse,
reclaiming their manhood
and sending good men out
into society.”
“Focussing on boys who are
vulnerable and at risk of
becoming a victim or perpetrator
of violence we actively work
towards breaking this cycle of
abuse, reclaiming their manhood
and sending good men out into
society.” Anton Gilmore – Co
Founder Fight with Insight
Project Exchange with Fight for Peace of Brazil
7
In Focus
Kicking where it counts
Buffalo City Soccer School
“I live in a shack with limited opportunities for a
brighter future. I joined Buffalo City Soccer School
eight years ago and has now been identified by Ajax
FC in Cape Town as someone with potential.”
Mawethu Williams – participant Buffalo City
Soccer School
Main Buffalo City Soccer School wins the league Top Right
Team Photo Bottom Right Buffalo City Soccer School u9 girls
Mawethu balances the ball on his head and with
a quick flick of his neck, drops it onto his foot which
strikes it home into the back of the net. It feels good
to be a winner. Mawethu Williams lives in a shack
with seemingly limited opportunities for a brighter
future. He joined the Buffalo City Soccer School
(BCSS) project eight years ago and has now been
identified by Ajax FC in Cape Town as someone
with potential. Sashen Cander lost his father three
years ago; joining BCSS has found both purpose and
guidance again. Eighteen-year old Marcus Ntuli
admits it was the BCSS that kept him motivated
after his parents got divorced at age ten and after he
was forced to forfeit an academic year, at a model C
high school because his mother couldn’t afford the
transport costs, despite receiving a scholarship. Yet,
just like Mawethu and Sashen he focused himself
on what was working and pushed through – he
remained in school and is determined to finish. This
is what the spirit of sport can teach you.
The space allowed here, in this newspaper,
would never be enough to list the countless stories
of change for the better that the BCSS project is
making in the lives of children growing up in the
areas around Buffalo Flats and Duncan Village in
East London – where drug and alcohol abuse is a way
of life. The kids here are developing their sporting
prowess on the soccer pitch but have also created
a space that gives them a true sense of belonging,
a valuable mindset when dealing with difficult
circumstances at home.
With the additional temptation of substance
abuse around them, BCSS has committed itself to
working with young people to encourage a healthy
alternative. Football is used as a hook to convince
youngsters to attend life skill sessions where they
develop an understanding of the negative effects
of alcohol, drug abuse and HIV/AIDS. The focus is
firmly on prevention rather than cure, and for this
reason, children as young as 9 years old are included
in the project. A hard workout on the soccer pitch is
balanced with life skills programmes that take place
on a regular basis by volunteering parents, FAMSA
(a family and marriage charity) and the local police
force. With HIV/AIDS a problem, the organisation
has planned a health education element of the
programme for the future.
“We conduct two weekly life skills sessions,
focusing on leadership, time management, problem
solving, conflict management, health education
and teamwork, that are run by professional life
skills coaches,” says project owner Simon Adams.
Laureus Sport for Good South Africa have assisted
with a research study on the impact of the life
skills programmes, that will take their activities to
the next level, and hopefully draw much needed
support from potential donors. “Support from the
Foundation over the past six years has enabled us to
run more efficiently, allowed more boys to become
involved and made our work in the community
possible,” continues Adams. “Players now take part
in a structured and official soccer league for age
groups of u9, u11, u13, u15, u17 and an u21 senior
team. In addition, we have also formed an ideal
partnership with local schools, in particular, AW
Barnes Primary School, which focuses on coloured
and black children.”
Run like the wind
Soweto Schools Rugby Project
t
ureus spor
r
go
od found
at
i
10
Years
Jabu Mhlongo
SSRP
uth africa
La
o
so
family. Over-and-above the funding they
provide, there are heaps of other exciting
events which our participants would not
ordinarily get access to, that we have
been part of because of Laureus. They
are doing an amazing job and making
a big difference in a lot of kids’ lives,
not only in South Africa but around the
world.”
Other highlights include visits to the
project by world renowned sportsmen
and Laureus Academy Members and
Ambassadors such as 'Marvelous'
Marvin Hagler, Morné du Plessis, Sean
Fitzpatrick, Hugo Porta and Frank
Fredericks.
In 2008, one of the participants,
Njabulo Xaba, spent a year in New
Zealand on a rugby scholarship while
in 2011, Bongi Nhleko, spent 6 weeks
on a coaching exchange programme at
Milfield School in England. The project
has also facilitated countless bursaries
for participants to attend quality schools
in Johannesburg.
Local tours too, to Cape Town in 2010
and Durban in 2011, have also had a
profound impact on participants, many
of whom were travelling outside of
Johannesburg for the first time.
n
multitude of social problems. The preeminent intervention programme is the
innovative Ruggademics which teaches
young people various school subjects
while they are having fun playing touch
rugby related games and drills. After
practices there are the occasional time
tables or addition and subtraction
tests, and results have shown that the
intervention is productive. Nhleko adds
that, “We also do a lot of motivating.
We advocate a growth mind-set, always
striving to inspire people to believe in
themselves as well as to know that they
can achieve anything regardless of their
social status or background.”
The project’s highlight of all time
according to Nhleko was when the
Laureus Sport for Good Foundation
South Africa (LSFGSA) provided an
opportunity for ten boys and one
manager to go to Hong Kong in 2011 on
a project exchange. “The first time Lucky
Zwane from our Snake Park station
had left Johannesburg was when Dali
Ndebele, our Programmes Director took
him to Pretoria to pick up his passport.
The next thing he is on plane to Hong
Kong. I can’t even begin to describe what
an impact that trip had on those boys.”
A close second was the opportunity
for the majority of the participants to
attend various matches of the 2010 FIFA
World CupTM held in South Africa with
LSFGSA coming to the party again, this
time providing the tickets. “It has been
such a blessing to be part of the Laureus
o
With the rugby ball held firmly in both
hands, Ntabiseng scans what options she
has. She throws a dummy, side-steps a
defender and sends a long pass, putting
Bonakele ‘Speedy Ganzales’ Sibiya in
the gap, who shows the defence a clean
pair of heals on her way to scoring a try
in the corner. One would never imagine
that this scene is taking place in the heart
of Soweto. Every Saturday morning, on
the dusty top fields of Elka Stadium in
Rockville, close to 200 boys and girls
from the Laureus sponsored Soweto
Schools Rugby Project gather to play
touch rugby. Ntabiseng and Bonakele are
members of the Soweto Girls u15 Touch
team that won the 2012 national title,
and are participants in the education
through sport youth development project
which was established in 2007 and now
operates from seven stations.
Project Manager Bongiwe Nhleko,
herself a product of the project explains
that, “although it is exciting to see the
kids, girls in particular, playing touch
rugby, the main focus is not the sport
but it is about facilitating opportunities
and equipping individuals with the tools
they need to create a positive impact
in all areas of their lives.” The lack of
education is a fundamental problem
for many children from impoverished
homes in the world-famous township
near South Africa’s biggest city of
Johannesburg and the project believes
that education is one of the keys that can
liberate young people and can resolve a
f
“We also do a lot of motivating. We advocate a
growth mind-set, always striving to inspire people to
believe in themselves as well as to know that they can
achieve anything regardless of their social status or
background.” Bongiwe Nhleko – Project Manager Soweto
Schools Rugby Project
8
In Focus
Showing the way
Makomba-Ndlela Youth Movement
“Your victory is our victory – our motto to encourage young people to keep on fighting
the social ills that plague their impoverished communities.” Tsakani Chauke – Director
Makomba Ndlela Youth Movement
Established in 2000 and based in
Mulima-Hlanganani in Limpopo, the
Makomba-Ndlela Youth Movement
(MYM) - best translated as ‘Show
the Way’ - is a project which aims
to establish a sustainable youth
development
programme
through
life skills education. This gives young
people the determination to combat
serious social and health issues, such
as sexually transmitted infections,
teenage pregnancy, HIV/AIDS, crime
and substance abuse. Activities include a
variety of sport and the performing arts,
all which offer advice and counselling on
sex and health education.
“‘Your victory is our victory’. This is
our project’s motto, to encourage young
people to keep on fighting the social
ills that plague their impoverished
communities,” said director of MYM,
Tsakani Chauke.
The youngsters involved in this project
are mostly primary and high school
attendees, but it also includes young
adults from the community. To speed
up the process of implementation, a
performing arts project was introduced
in the form of drama, storytelling,
poetry and singing. The project became
the talk of the town and its impact was
felt at school level and throughout
the community during awareness
campaigns.
Many young people were encouraged
to participate in MYM’s activities,
keeping them off the streets and helping
them to reject self-destructive behaviour.
MYM also fosters a peer education
programme, in which young people talk
to each other about their problems. The
programme aims at delaying early sexual
initiation, reducing teen pregnancy and
also preventing HIV/AIDS and sexually
transmitted diseases.
“The same programme also targets
parents, to encourage them to talk
openly to their children about sex and
Indigo ramps it
up in Zululand
sexuality,” says Chauke.
There is also an information centre,
which is open daily and freely accessible
by anyone. A central part of the project
is the Girls Net Programme, which aims
to educate and train girls on gender
based issues, life skills and economic
empowerment. Girls Net Vhembe
District was started in January 2007 as a
project under the auspices of MYM and
aims to involve other structures around
Vhembe District.
“With our Girls Net project, we
strive to create an environment where
young girls can access various sporting
codes like ladies soccer, netball and
volleyball, to help empower their
capacities and increase the effectiveness
of their behaviours and actions,” said Mr.
Philemon Maheso, Deputy Chairperson
of the Board. The programme also
endeavours
to
promote
female
orientated sport and recreation, which
are not generally priorities in the country.
MYM believes in girls who are
committed to developing a world in
which human dignity and respect prevail,
and according to Chauke, 2012 has been
a pivotal year for the project, with the
implementation of six Girls Net teams
and a Girls Net Committee.
“This was mostly made possible by a
committed team of volunteers and one
grant, which was specially allocated by
the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation
South Africa, to carry out planning and
implementation of the Girls Net sports
project to bring it and its activities closer
to its members”, said Chauke.
Financial resources from the Laureus
Sport For Good Foundation during
2012 went into sustaining MYM’s
activities, specifically netball training, a
presentation/facilitation workshop for
“Shift your weight, shift your weight!” shouts Tony Hawk as
4-year old Andile flies down the skateboard ramp, smiling nervously
and waving his arms from side to side as he regains his balance.
Andile Msomi is the latest recruit to ride on a donated mobile skate
ramp, provided by world renowned skateboard champ, and Laureus
Academy Member, Tony Hawk. The portable ramp has allowed
Indigo Youth Movement (IYM) to take to the road and promote the
‘Skateboarding for Hope Campaign’ among less fortunate young
people across the province.
Skateboarding has traditionally been associated with the more
affluent, urban teenagers of South Africa and this was something Indigo
Youth Movement (IYM) set out to change. In 2001 they introduced the
first ever skateboard park in the backyard of a Zulu homestead. People
initially stared and wondered what it was for, but over 11 years this
humble homestead has hosted youth camps for hundreds of skaters,
who often return home with a new awareness and appreciation of rural
African life. Besides being able to boast about their new skating skills
and sharing tips and tricks among friends, parents too have become
inspired. Once, too frightened to visit these communities themselves,
they are now sending their children to youth camps, and Indigo
Skate Camp has grown into one of the most innovative and boldest
attractions in Africa.
IYM is not adverse to taking bold steps. In the early days,
skateboarding lacked the ability to develop and nurture leadership
qualities in the youngsters drawn to the sport. IYM challenged this by
training former Indigo skateboarders to become instructors. Under
the guidance of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation South Africa
the instructors completed a one year internship with another
Laureus-supported project, PeacePlayers International South
Africa (PPI-SA) which enhanced their coaching skills.
“Incorporating life skills into the skateboarding training
sessions was of particular interest to instructors, so they
observed the overall management of a basketball
programme and ultimately incorporated this into our
skateboarding programmes here at Indigo,” says
Managing Director, Dallas Oberholzer.
The success of IYM drew the attention of local
government officials and for the first time ever
in South Africa, skateboarding became part of
an international youth exchange programme.
This saw six Zulu kids from the programme
skateboarding throughout Europe, putting the
humble, rural programme firmly on the map.
The wheels really started to roll when
instructors took the programme to neighbouring
communities and even started creating jobs.
Income was generated through running youth
camps which resulted in more jobs to match Indigo’s
expansion programme. Today, you’ll find 38 staff members
undergoing a Tourism Ambassador programme and a skate
park construction team, drawn from the Zulu village where it all
began. These eight full-time staff have consolidated their experience
from years of building the Indigo Skate Camp facility.
Undoubtedly the largest employer within the surrounding
community, this was illustrated at a recent Youth Day celebration
the coaches, Girls Net Committee and
winter games tournament.
The Girls Net Camp proved as
successful as ever and alongside all
of these activities, MYM managed to
form six ladies soccer teams, six netball
teams and six volleyball teams. They
conducted outreach to 300 young girls
in their six surrounding communities
and all of this was the result of a one day
seminar, where volunteers and board
members came together to finalise the
proposals of improving the programmes
of the organisation.
Indigo Youth Movement
“Standing still is never an option. From
a humble, rural homestead in 2001, to a
centre of adrenalin and learning, Indigo has
certainly pushed the limits of all involved.”
Dallas Oberholzer – Project Founder and
Director Indigo Youth Movement
where Indigo attracted an attendance of over 500 youngsters.
“Standing still is never an option,” says Oberholzer. The project has
recently been instrumental in helping combat violence and substance
abuse in the city of Cape Town, as part of the Laureus YES initiative.
This saw participants being empowered and trained in leadership
skills, greatly enhancing the development of self-esteem. After all, this
is seen almost universally as a key weapon in fighting the negative and
destructive influences of violence and substance abuse.
Skateboarding has an uncanny attraction amongst young people
from all walks of life. Maybe it’s the rush of wind on your face,
maybe it’s the freedom of speeding down a slope unaided, but one
thing is for sure, the partnership of IYM and the Laureus Sport for
Good Foundation South Africa have successfully created a strong
collaboration that feeds the emotional and intellectual growth of 700
vulnerable teenagers.
“This will in turn contribute towards helping disadvantaged
youngsters become the real leaders of tomorrow – within their
communities and beyond,” states Oberholzer. From a humble, rural
homestead in 2001, to a centre of adrenalin and learning, Indigo has
certainly pushed the limits of all involved.
9
In Focus
Lionhearts
Johannesburg Cubs
“Affording young people from the u14 – u19 age group the opportunities
to achieve their goals, meet their sporting heroes and approach life
with a new found confidence.” Yunis Keiller – Programme Manager
Johannesburg Cubs
Top Right Johannesburg Cubs fielding demonstration Below Right Laureus Ambassador Lucas
Radebe hoists Cubs flag with coaches
Providing the platform to unleash potential and
bridge the gap between previously disadvantaged
boys with passion and drive - in the wonderful game
of cricket - is the ethos of the Johannesburg Cubs
(JC) project. Affording young people from the u14
– u19 age group the opportunities to achieve their
goals, meet their sporting heroes and approach life
with a new found confidence.
Each team (u14, u15 and u19) has been structurally
divided into two halves. One half includes boys from
previously disadvantaged areas and the other half
includes boys from selected schools, who cannot
cater for specific sporting codes in Johannesburg.
The project has 53 children in total of which 20
are in the u19’s, 16 are in the u15’s and 17 are in the
u14’s. The Cubs also participate regularly in the
Discovery 702 Walk the Talk annual event, a social
development programme with cricket icon, Mr
Hoosain Ayob, as well as partake in major cricketing
events, tours and Discovery sporting events.
With the help and support of the Laureus Sport
for Good Foundation South Africa, coupled with
the Cubs’ project leaders and coaches, lives have
been changed significantly over the years. Several
participants have been sponsored by a variety of
private cricketing schools, and these success stories
are deeply encouraging to new joiners.
Jesse Martins, now 18, who joined the Cubs at
just 13 years old, has managed to achieve a few
cricketing milestones, representing Gauteng at
both u13 and u15 level as well as earning himself a
sporting scholarship at St Stithians College.
Rhys Daniels and Ziyaad Ganchi have both
represented Gauteng under u15, u17 and u19 level
and were invited to the SA u17 Regional camp.
Shandon Weinstein, Lee Gruskin, Clive Sharpe
and Cheslin van Rensburg have represented
Gauteng Action Cricket u19 level. Shaylen
Pillay, 18, who has been with the Cubs since
the beginning has earned a scholarship from
cricketing school, King Edwards VII, and to
date has represented Gauteng
u13 to u19. Pillay is currently
captain of the Gauteng u19
team and represented
his country at the ICC
u19 World Cup 2012 in
Australia.
Funding from the Foundation
has contributed in so many
ways for these youngsters; from
providing clothing to food and
equipment, transport and professional
coaching.
Sharing is caring
Lungisani Indlela
“Empowered to fly”- empowering young
people to go beyond their perceived limits.
Theo Brown – Programme Manager
Lungisani Indlela
Theo Brown, Manager of soccer team Lungisani Indlela has seen
the power of sport in action since 2010, when a relationship between
the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation South Africa was formed.
Starting with 60 teams and ages ranging from 12 to 18 year old, he’s
seen the project grow into one which provides continuing support to
underprivileged children and their families. Assistance is rendered with
food parcels and through linking essential services to the community,
such as hospitals, social workers and home affairs.
Success stories are everywhere. When Sabelo first arrived at the
academy he was a troublesome young man, having been involved in
violent crime and was also a member of a gang. Gradually, through the
work of the academy, a transformation occurred in his life, now having
been signed by one of Durban’s Premier League teams Lamontville
Golden Arrows and going from strength to strength.
Thobani, a previous captain of the u19 team, currently being assisted
by Lungisani Indlela to study Medicine at the Nelson Mandela School
of Medicine. When his only caregiver, his grandmother, passed away
he was involved in a life skills programme at the academy, and as an
orphan with no one to turn to, found the staff at Lungisani Indlela
the perfect support structure to help him reach his full potential. The
project approached potential funders to help with his studies, which
naturally materialised through the good standing of the academy.
Lungisani Indlela’s theme for the year is “Empowered to Fly” –
empowering young people to go beyond their perceived limits.
Vital equipment needed by the academy includes team kits, balls,
bibs, boots, shin guards, whistles, food and transport, which are all
kindly funded by the Laureus Foundation. As a result there are plenty
of smiles on the faces of children at Lungisani.
During 2011 the project reviewed its effectiveness and Theo Brown
strove to work smarter. As difficult as it was to let go of the league, they
realised that for the amount of work they were doing, the impact was
less than hoped for. As a result, Lungisani Indlela started their own
Sports Academy and now counts around 150 children involved in four
boys’ soccer teams, one girls’ soccer team and one netball team, each
with its own coach who receives a monthly stipend.
The changes that Brown and his team have made have seen more
effective results among the children and they recently decided to
affiliate their soccer team into the SAFA Durban Central League. This
bold move will give the youngsters exposure to competition with the
resulting drama of the ups and downs associated with competitive
sport at this level.
Above and beyond the original projects Lungisani Indlela also runs
the Back-2-School Programme, for orphans and vulnerable children.
Giving educational opportunities, through monthly individual
sponsorship, sees the child’s school fees, uniforms and excursions paid
for. In return the sponsor receives a copy of the child’s school report
and regular updates. This innovative idea currently benefits over 500
children.
Like all good relationships, the one between Lungisani Indlela and
the Laureus Sport For Good Foundation has helped the project to be
more effective within the communities they serve.
“Empowering the youth through the power of sport is what we
do,” states Brown. “Having resources has enabled us to help instill
confidence and hope to many young people. The success stories speak
for themselves.”
Above & Below Clive Barker visits Lungisani Indlela
10
In Focus
Teamwork makes the Dream Work
started working for Laureus. I don’t work directly
with the kids in the communities, but the fact that I
work for an organisation, who helps to bring about
change in the lives of young children makes all the
difference and motivates me to keep doing it.
Prudence Fester
Laureus SA Foundation
Manager
What are the biggest changes you
have observed over the past 10 years in
particular, how project participants
have helped to shape change in their
communities
I have been privileged to witness so many positive
changes. I’ve witnessed children staying at the
sport sessions, at times for longer than required,
purely because of the support and affirmation they
receive in that environment. I’ve seen children
encouraging their relatives to go and be tested
because of their increased awareness about HIV/
AIDS. I’ve seen harmony in diversity because
kids are taught to respect cultural and ethnical
differences and then they are encouraged to play
together.
Ghandi said, “Be the change you wish to see in
the world” – I see the translation of this quote in
Laureus communities all the time.
What aspects of your job keep you
motivated and inspired each day - both
personally and professionally?
My passion for children keep me motivated and
inspired without a doubt! I have always loved
working with kids and did so whenever I had an
opportunity. In my teens, I attended a club at
church which is very similar to the Scouts, but with
more of a spiritual focus. The club taught me the
basics such as respecting your leaders, working as
a team, being responsible and leading by example.
My passion for children evolved from this and I
later became a leader in the club. As a matter of
fact I recently re-joined to volunteer my time there.
I should have become a teacher but ended up
working in a financial institution for many years.
I always felt there was something missing, the
feeling of doing something ‘meaningful’, of having
made a difference.
I discovered that sense of “meaning” when I
Why do you think sport more than most
other interventions is such a successful
vehicle for social change?
Most children enjoy sports, because of the element
of fun. So, using sport as the initial vehicle to attract
a child to a more serious teaching session has
proven invaluable.
The sport training sessions can also be adapted
to include learning about key life skills, such as
teamwork, respect for your coaches and peers,
accepting the decisions of people in authority, good
sportsmanship and anger management. Using sport
- the fun aspect, the team dynamic, the competitive
element - to relay these valuable messages is the
Laureus way of integrating play and learn.
Why do you think teamwork is so
important in your line of work?
The African proverb, “if you want to walk fast, walk
alone; if you want to walk far, walk with others”
- sums it up for me. Teamwork enables you to
achieve more than you could on your own and when
you understand and appreciate the circumstances
of the recipient at the end of your chain of delivery
– you want to do more. Our small team have learnt
to create enough room for each other’s strengths so
that together we are able to make MORE happen.
How do you see the Foundation growing in
the future?
I see us growing one footprint at a time throughout
South Africa and eventually influencing growth into
Africa. We have just empowered our first group of
young emerging leaders and with their support we
are hoping to speed up our wave of change through
the communities. We are determined to gather
more footprints, but even more determined to
ensure that some of those footprints end up walking
the halls of corporate partners, government
institutions and in some instances pioneering their
own business ventures.
awakening a generation through rugby
Vuka
“Vuka players experience for themselves how sport can
help change perceptions of themselves and ultimately the
world around them. A real ‘awakening’ both on and off
the pitch.” Barry ‘O Mahony – Trustee Vuka
Vuka Teams participate in the
Legends Cup Tournament
“Vuka” is an African word meaning
to “awaken”. Quietly, over the past four
years an awakening has been taking place
in townships around Cape Town. Since
the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation
South Africa became involved in the
project in 2011, lives and attitudes have
begun to change.
“We simply wanted kids back on
the field representing their school, not
sitting on the roads joining the gangs
and getting into drugs”, said former
Springbok hooker, Dale Stanton, who
now works for the SA Rugby Legends.
Vuka originally approached the
Laureus Foundation and asked them to
help pilot their CoolPlay programme; an
innovative rugby-training programme
which provides a framework for coaches
to integrate valuable life skills into the
training sessions. This promotes the
holistic development of each player,
enabling them to learn to love the game,
play it well and become empowered
individuals
prepared
for
living
meaningful and successful lives. There
are ten rugby training sessions in the
programme, and each session has a rugby
goal and a life skills goal. Both are closely
related so that the sport can be used as a
parallel experience for participants.
The first 17 Laureus-funded coaches
have put 567 kids through their paces this
year. Vuka intends putting a further 40
coaches through the course within the
next year and ambitiously hopes to reach
another 1,000 kids. Vuka is even looking
to coach policemen in certain areas, who
will then go into schools and be able to
establish relationships with the kids from
an early age.
Zip Zap
Morné, a coloured pupil who plays
second row for his school, is a very bad
stutterer. As a result he was incredibly
shy and never spoke around his team.
His coach, Reggie, had joined the
Laureus-funded CoolPlay programme,
where one of the sessions was around
understanding character. Here Reggie
learnt about the Zip Zap game. The
game is played with a rugby ball and
when someone shouts “Zip” one player
passes the ball to another and has to say
something positive about them. This
continues until the coach shouts “Zap”
whereby the players must say something
critical about the other player. For the
first time, Morné heard out loud, from
his team mates that he was actually well
respected and a “Big, strong, athletic,
inspirational, leader.” Morné had never
heard himself spoken about in such
glowing terms and throughout the rest
of the year, started to feel comfortable
enough to speak up around the team.
Khaya was a number 8 (just like Morné
du Plessis) and a very talented young
man who was clearly the best in his team.
Through playing the Zip Zap game, he
learnt that his team mates thought he
was selfish and never passed the ball. He
heard comments like “selfish,” “doesn’t
pass,” and “one man team.” The coach,
in consultation with Khaya, decided to
move him to centre, to give him the space
he needed and the time and freedom to
express what he did best.
Jessie was a hooker (like Sean
Fitzpatrick), and like Sean, was
sometimes “a little too robust”, giving
away too many penalties. Through
the Zip Zap game Jessie heard that
his team mates didn’t appreciate the
many penalties he kept giving away.
He heard comments such as “grumpy,”
“ill-disciplined,” and “this is rugby,
not boxing”. Again, the coach chatted
to Jessie and he’s now the captain of
the team; poacher turned gamekeeper!
His discipline has improved and the
other players follow him because of his
physical approach on the field.
Within Vuka players experience
for themselves how sport can help
change perceptions of themselves, and
ultimately the world around them. A real
“awakening” both on and off the pitch.
11
In Focus
Signed, sealed, deliveRed
Oscar is 24 years old and has been working with
the Waves for Change project in Cape Town since
their early beginnings in 2011. Waves for Change
grew out of Masiphumelele township, a small
Oceanside settlement on the Atlantic coast of the
Cape Peninsula which Oscar calls his home. The
township is small and bustles with activity with
most of the 40,000 inhabitants working beyond
the wire perimeter in local businesses and homes.
Oscar is no different, waking early each morning
and heading to ‘DVG Shapes’, one of the Cape’s top
surf-board manufacturers, where Oscar has been
working for the last 3 years as a ‘glasser’ – applying
the fiberglass coating to the finished Styrofoam
shape.
It was in May of 2011 that Oscar met Tim
Conibear, the founder of Waves for Change, along
with fellow Masi resident Apish Tshetsha and Cape
Town student Bongani Ndlovu. Together they set
about introducing surfing to Masiphumelele and
using the sport as a tool for good. In the early days
the project ran on weekends, very much a part-time
affair when time and funds afforded the crew to get
to Muizenberg beach with a handful of kids, mostly
from Apish or Oscar’s street.
Oscar adding the
finishing touches
to a surfboard
We're tackling it!
The project’s big break came in August 2011
when funding from the Laureus Sport for Good
Foundation allowed for the project to run daily
and for Bongani and Apish to become full time
coaches. A coaching framework and curriculum
was put together and schools became the main
point of recruitment. The programme grew and a
second centre opened in Khayelitsha in May 2012,
employing a new batch of coaches working with
a new network of schools, bringing surfing to a
second new community and African surfing in the
Cape into a new era.
As the programme grew so did the need for
equipment and maintenance. Surfing is a great
sport, requiring a relatively small investment for a
lifetime of fun, but boards are sensitive beings and
require the right touch. Behind the scenes Oscar
has been diligently working with Waves for Change
participants in Masiphumelele to teach them the art
of board shaping and board repair. When the South
Easter comes up, many of the Waves for Change
participants from Masiphumelele can be found in
a small shed around the back of the school mixing
resin, working fiberglass, sanding and filing away as
they wait for the next swell. Oscar is there directing
from the wings, nurturing the next batch of surf
board shapers in Masiphumelele.
On the 21st November, Oscar shaped a small
decorative art-board to be signed by Laureus
Academy members and Ambassadors at the 10
Year celebration of the Laureus Foundation, South
Africa. On the same day, Apish Tshetsha was
honoured as a Laureus YES graduate and attended
with his mentor Bongani Ndlovu.It was a special
moment to see the three founding members of the
project represented amongst such esteemed guests
and contributing so invaluably to the network. We
look forward to the future and to the continued
development of surfing well beyond the beaches of
South Africa’s townships.
To quote the Waves for Change coaches
‘Bananas’ guys!
Carving our future
Waves for Change
“Flying down the face of a wave can give you a sense of achievement in your career.”
Tim Conibear - Co-Founder and Project Director, Waves for Change
Grassroot Soccer Community League
Grassroot Soccer
“I’m not saying I will change the world, but I will help to
make it a better place. You don’t need material things
or lots of money, just a big heart.” Lungile Mthethwa –
Laureus YES Leader and Grassroot Soccer coach
Grassroot Soccer (GRS) realises that
the true power of soccer has always
been connections that it creates between
people. Using footballers as role models,
and using the popularity of soccer to
engage hard to reach young people, GRS
has combined social theory, public health
methodologies, rigorous evaluation and
a huge dose of passion. With the help of
the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation
South Africa (LSFGSA), GRS has been
able to integrate its very own life skills
curriculum into the Football for Hope
Centre (FFHC) Community League.
At its inception, Community League
was a community soccer league for local
Khayelitsha u12, u15 and u19 teams, and
one of the most notable qualities about it
is that it pairs older teams with younger
teams to facilitate intergenerational
support. By pairing older and younger
players, communities are strengthened
and appreciated, with the senior players
acting as role models for many of the
young participants.
Lungile Mthethwa, a graduate of the
Laureus Youth Empowerment Through
Sport (YES) pilot programme keeps her
values simple, “I'm not saying I will
change the world but I will help to make
it a better place. You don’t need material
things or lots of money, just a big heart.”
With 560 youngsters to date taking
part on the programme, Community
League is proving to be an exceptional
platform for GRS’ vision - linking soccer
to health care in both engaging and
effective ways. Just before the 2010 FIFA
World Cup™, the programme stepped
up a gear to operate six days a week
and while it was originally targeted at
young men only, an all girls programme
will be introduced this coming season,
which will operate in the same way as the
already well established male sections of
the league.
And as a direct result of the LSFGSA
grant, which was awarded to GRS in
March 2012, they have incorporated
‘Skills 1.1’ into the Community League
programme,
which
has
enabled
vital health care information to be
integrated into what was once primarily
a sports focused initiative. Teams will
subsequently rotate between playing
timed games and attending life skills
sessions implemented by GRS’ very
own coaches. These sessions will offer
participants between the ages of 9 and
15 a wide range of information spanning
biological, psychological, and social
components of HIV awareness. Skills 1.1
will not only provide HIV awareness and
prevention to these youngsters but also
help to facilitate a reduction in the stigma
that surrounds HIV in their communities.
And the first round of graduations of the
u9 through u15 teams from Skills 1.1 took
place in early November.
Prized incentives to league winners
will include distributing medals to each
and every one of the players on the
winning team, as well as AJAX tickets for
Cape Town Stadium!
Boniswa looks nervously behind her
and paddles frantically. Far from the
dusty streets of the townships of Cape
Town she is now firmly focused on a
new challenge, how to surf. The Waves
for Change project is the brainchild
of Tim Conibear, launched in 2011,
which uses surfing as a way of raising
awareness around HIV/AIDS. This
was no easy task; although surrounded
by the sea, local communities have no
previous history of surfing or interacting
with the ocean.
However, despite the challenges it’s
been a great year for the programme
which, with the help of the Laureus
Sport for Good Foundation, has
recruited and trained eight community
coaches to initiate a unique oceanbased educational curriculum. Two
sites in Western Cape townships are
now active, where surfing is very much
a new and intriguing activity. Over 200
young adults have now benefited, with
a significant rise in their HIV/AIDS
knowledge and risk awareness.
“Our long-term aim is to alter the
way young adults see the HIV/AIDS
virus and how they approach sexual
relationships,” says Conibear.
Early results seem to suggest that the
programme is indeed having a profound
effect on the young surfers and is also
showing several fringe benefits to the
communities within which they work.
A surprise result has seen participants
opening up about drug addiction and
entering rehab; kids returning to school
after dropping out in grade 9 and boys
leaving gangs after finding their new
family at the beach. Unemployed young
adults have found new meaning in
their lives by becoming coaches and
mentors.
Factor in the excitement and “cool”
factor of surfing, and Waves For
Change seems to have hit on a powerful
tool for forging a life-changing bond
that moves way beyond simple health
education. Add to this the inclusion of
communities in a sport which is still
largely perceived as “white” and the
barriers to social integration also come
tumbling down.
Not content to simply sit on the beach
and practice, two partner schools,
Masiphumelele High and Esangweni
High, became the first township
schools in the Cape to enter a nationally
accredited competition. Over 20 Waves
For Change surfers participated in
the event, which also saw the largest
ever entry of development surfers
in a Surfing South Africa accredited
competition. The long, hard training
paid off and Masiphumelele ‘A’ team
made it into the development final,
beating teams from Wynberg and
Muizenberg along the way. Both schools
now have accredited surf teams, the
first ever for their communities.
A visit to Waves for Change by the
world’s greatest explorer, Mike Horn,
also inspired the group on what was
possible in life. The Laureus Academy
member arrived with members of his
Pangaea Young Explorers team, an
initiative to teach teenagers leadership
skills
while
enduring
extreme
conditions. Rugby legend Bryan
Habana, a Laureus Sport For Good
Ambassador, also visited.
Coach Bongani Ndlovu has already
shown how flying down the face
of a wave can give you a sense of
achievement in your career. While on
a bursary from Waves For Change at
the University of Western Cape, he was
made Class Captain after finishing top
of his BCom class. You can now read
about this as well as other exciting
surf stories in Amazi, the first ever
surf magazine for the townships. A
distribution of 10,000 copies sees
surfing culture injected directly into
clinics, schools and youth centres across
the Cape Flats and in Khayelitsha.
To top off a great year, Waves For
Change was shortlisted for the Beyond
Sport Best New Project award and
also won the Agent of Change award
at the SA National Surf Awards held in
Durban. Who says surfing can’t change
the world?
12
Photo journal
1st Project Exchange
PeacePlayers International
& Helderberg Partnership
(2004)
Official Launch of the 12th Laureus Sport for Good
Foundation Trust Project – Indigo Youth Movement
(2009)
Laureus Academy
Member Sean Fitzpatrick
visits the Soweto Schools
Rugby Project (2011)
1st Cape Argus Pick 'n
Pay Cycle Tour (2002)
Laureus Ambassador
Lucas Radebe attends
Sozo project launch (2005)
First ever Global Summit in
South Africa (2010)
Laureus Academy Forum with 12 Laureus World
Sports Academy Members present (2006)
Soweto visits Hong Kong – Project Exchange (2011)
1st Role Models' Retreat
(2003)
Laureus Games (2008)
Laureus Trustee Ntambi Ravele and Laureus Ambassador
John Moeti visit Buffalo City Soccer School (2007)
13
events 2012
Laureus Academy Members Mike Horn, Morné du Plessis
and Laureus Ambassador Bryan Habana visit Waves for Change
Discovery Cape
Times Big Walk
Cape Argus Pick 'n
Pay Cycle Tour
Discovery Cape Times Little Big Walk
Discovery Cape Times
Big Walk
Discovery 702
Walk the Talk
Launch of Great
Commission United
Discovery 702
Walk the Talk
Springboks Visit - New
Laureus Ambassador:
Schalk Burger at Soweto
Schools Rugby Project
14
In Focus
Positive impact
Great Commission United
“It is only when a community takes ownership of its problems where
change really starts to happen.” Mario van Niekerk – Manager Great
Commission United
Great Commission United (GCU) was originally set
up by Mario van Niekerk in 2001, and was primarily
a football academy for the kids of Heideveld. Mario,
who was born and bred in Heideveld, knows only too
well what can happen to kids who lack the positive
role models and mentors in their communities - he
is himself a former gangster. Less than 15 kilometres
from the city of Cape Town, the township has
approximately 80,000 residents and faces huge
social and economic problems. Approximately
5,000 (1 in every 12) are involved in gangsterism,
nearly 80% of the community’s gangsters are
addicted to crystal meth (or “tik” as it is known), and
illiteracy amongst the kids is at 76%. Gang violence,
unemployment, family fragmentation and a lack of
any positive role models underpins this community
on a scale that would leave most people wringing
their hands with despair. Yet, these facts don’t phase
Mario, if anything they spur him on and today, GCU
has expanded into the wider range of community
activities from the original soccer academy
established in 2001. These include programmes
in education, life skills and sport, providing these
children with the positive role models that so many
lack at home and offering a way out of being trapped
in the cycle of gangs and drugs.
Wider community activities include feeding (the
feeding programme ensures that no child starts the
day hungry and through donations, GCU pays for
porridge for those who do not have the good fortune
to be fed at home), tutoring, literacy and numeracy
programmes, life skills training and mentorships.
With 40-50 children in each classroom, teachers
simply do not have the resources to provide the best
education for these youngsters, therefore GCU also
offers community tutoring after school programmes.
Tutoring is one of GCU’s requirements to participate
in sports practices and if a child does not attend
tutoring, they cannot participate in soccer. The
after-school programme is run by members of the
local community, with support from volunteers.
In addition to daily practices and league matches
on Saturdays, GCU aims to provide each boy with
a soccer kit, boots, food, and transport to and
from the playing fields. Sports kit and uniforms
are particularly important in providing children
with a sense of identity, pride, purpose and
belonging, and are a powerful alternative to
the colours and insignia associated with gangs.
Other sporting initiatives from GCU include a
rope-skipping programme for the girls in
the community, who also participate in
local competitions in this sporting code.
And in addition the programme has
been extended to all the children at
Woodlands Primary School as part of
their physical education. Basketball
is a further sporting activity offered
by GCU to the broader Heideveld
community.
In respect of staff, GCU has
seven full time coaches who act
not only as sports coaches but
as positive role models to the
youngsters. GCU Soccer Coach
Cody Damons, 20, and GCU
Wolves Basketball coach
Lucretia Goliath, 21, recently
graduated on the Laureus
Youth Empowerment Through
Sports (YES) pilot initiative,
and were both extremely
excited to collect their
certificates at the Laureus
10-year anniversary in
November. “This work is so fulfilling –
knowing that the children need you
and that you can make a positive
contribution to their lives. Two girls
from our under-12 team made the
Western Province side this year and
this is the first girls’ team of GCU.
To be given the opportunity
to join the YES programme
as
well
and
receive
acknowledgement for what
we do was an incredible
moment for me,” said
Lucretia. GCU’s vision
is to see the ‘youth at
risk’ become positive
contributors to the
economy and society
at large, and over
the
years
they
have witnessed 12
participants become
successful coaches on their
programmes. They believe this
success alone can be the much needed
positive role models that are missed
by so many in their communities. “It is
only when a community takes ownership
of its problems where change really starts to
happen,” reflects Mario. “GCU’s aims are firmly
focused on the next generation,” he concludes.
Leaving our Footprints
In the run up to the Laureus Foundation South Africa’s 10th
anniversary on the 28th November 2012, Grade 6 and 7 pupils
at Woodlands Primary school in Heideveld - home of the Great
Commission United (GCU) project - were busy applying their
creative talents in the art of paper-mâché shoe making.
The idea behind the shoe project was born out of
discussions with Laureus South Africa staff members
and their media partners. “We really wanted to
mark our 10 year anniversary with some form
of contribution from the kids on
the projects” said Foundation
Manager, Prudence Fester.
Under the guidance of GCU
basketball coach and YES
graduate, Lucretia Goliath, 21,
Woodlands Primary teacher
Imelda Stewart, and
Schreiber Media Interns
Pina Zwingmann and
Chantal Graf (who
initially came up with
the shoe concept),
the paper-mâché shoes were constructed, painted, laced
up, labeled and boxed – ready to be presented to Laureus
Ambassadors and special guests involved in making the 10
years of Sport for Good a success.
The learners made 44 shoes in three weeks and came
up with their own designs using the Laureus navy blue as
the background colour. Darren Hartogh, a Grade 6 pupil at
Woodlands said he enjoyed being part of the shoe-making
project. “It was fun. I am a big rugby fan and I like art and
being creative too, so I really enjoyed being part of this
project.”
Ms Stewart, who is a teacher at Woodlands Primary and who
helped co-ordinate the sessions with Lucretia, said “lessons
were learnt” from the shoe-making experience, particularly
around the importance of teamwork. Foundation Manager
Prudence sums it up: “The whole experience just typifies what
Laureus is all about – supporting innovation, helping with
implementation and giving inspiration.”
And of course to top it off, the top 5 learners were given the
opportunity to personally present their handmade shoe to a
Laureus Academy Members and Ambassadors at the 10 year
celebrations.
15
In Focus
Why do you think the Foundation's
formula is such a successful one?
Ned Wills
Global Foundation
Director
The focus from the outset is on the young people
the projects serve. This core value which is central
to the original Laureus vision sets the tone for all
other decision making. Having a local team who
is committed to directing funds and expertise to
serve young people in communities across South
Africa is the basis of a successful formula replicated
elsewhere around the world. Additionally the
foundation has been able to identify some truly
gifted leaders in communities who understand
the challenges faced by young people and are
committed to passing on their knowledge, expertise
and opportunities to them.
Being selected as the first country to host
a Foundation, what do you think Laureus
Sport for Good SA has taught the world?
The Laureus Foundation in South Africa was the
pioneer in developing a platform of local support
for sport programmes aligned to the vision of
Sport for Good. Its development over ten years
has seen considerable in depth thinking going
into how to build relationships with community
based organisations that is supportive on a day
to day basis, whilst considering sustainability of
the relationship in the long term. This approach
has inspired thinking for others in the network
including the global approach.
Ten years on, what is the major factor in
the Foundation's continued success?
The dedication of the partners, management and
staff is to my mind the most important factor in
the success of the foundation in the last ten years.
The commitment of funding partners, particularly
Mercedes-Benz, Richemont and Discovery has
provided the platform for a group of dedicated
Trustees and staff to build impactful partnerships
for underserved youth in all the projects across the
country.
What particular moments inspired
you since your involvement with the
Foundation?
The sharp crack of a wooden mallet
breaks the silence in the surrounding
foothills of the spectacular Maluti
Mountains of the Eastern Free
State. Catherine Cairns, Founder
of the Poloafrica Development
Programme looks on proudly as young,
disadvantaged kids expertly drive a
ball towards their opponents' goal. The
location is Uitgedacht Farm, a beautiful
rural retreat, owned by Cairns, who
sponsors the Poloafrica Development
Trust, which is endorsed by the South
African Polo Association (SAPA).
So how did disadvantaged, rural kids
come to play a game usually referred
to as “The game of kings”? One of
Poloafrica’s objectives is to make the
sport more accessible to non-white
players. Changing the perception and
the reality of this sport in South Africa,
to enable it to flourish and grow is a
passion of Cairns.
“The success stories of scholars
on the programme bear testament to
Poloafrica’s mission of challenging
perceptions, broadening opportunities
and ultimately changing lives,” says
Cairns. “In most other African countries
where polo is played, it’s played by black
people, but not yet in South Africa. It’s
important for wealthy black South
Africans to see black players compete
and win, in order to encourage their
inclusion into the sport.”
Poloafrica was proud to have become
an official project of the Laureus Sport
for Good Foundation South Africa in
2011, adding to the diversity of sporting
disciplines the Foundation now
supports.
Another key objective of the
programme is to give opportunities
to talented, underprivileged adults
too. Enabling adults to play the game
seriously gives them an opportunity
to flourish as well-respected polo
professionals. And this exacting sport
is not restricted to the field either. Pony
care, farrier work, pony schooling or
coaching other players is all part of
the programme. No longer a simple
Poloafrica
t
go
od found
at
i
Years
Tinto Mothijoa
Poloafrica
uth africa
10
so
ureus spor
r
n
La
o
o
f
“Who would have imagined that polo and ponies
could be used to encourage boys and girls from
underprivileged backgrounds to work hard both
academically and vocationally.” Catherine Cairns –
Founder Poloafrica
How do you see the Foundation growing
over the next 10 years?
The projects and programmes I have been lucky
enough to visit – and in particular the young
people I have been privileged to meet – are a
daily reminder and inspiration for the work we at
Laureus do. But the development of the original
role models retreat by the foundation in South
Africa, bringing together projects from the entire
South African Network was the inspiration of the
Laureus Global Summit, now in its second year.
To be able to utilise and connect the expertise of
a network of professionals, all delivering sport to
young and underserved communities has become
a core value offering to the projects Laureus
supports. For projects, particularly those operating
Hooked on Polo!
in remote communities, to share their experiences,
best practices and even excercises themselves,
with other like-minded organisations is not only
inspirational and motivating, but extremely
valuable to programmes to ensure that mistakes are
not duplicated and that successes are shared.
The Foundation in South Africa is a template for
other National Foundations around the world. In
concert with the Global Foundation, Laureus is
developing and implementing a regional approach
to its Sport for Good Strategy, coordinating and
supporting projects on the African Continent
from its South Africa base. Not only will this make
the service Laureus offers to its partners more
targeted, it will bring the organisation closer to
the development issues being faced and make it
easier to work together to find solutions. The next
ten years will build on the progress made to date
to impact many thousands more across the entire
continent with the transformational power of Sport.
Pedal Power
social development exercise, the senior
Poloafrica team is now at a level that sees
them compete in tournaments across
the country. Their numerous successes,
combined with their sportsmanlike
behaviour on the field, has earned them
praise from the polo community. SAPA
has also been instrumental in helping
the Poloafrica players spread their
wings by subsidising the team’s pony
transport costs for tournaments.
Who would have imagined that polo
and ponies could be used to encourage
boys and girls from underprivileged
backgrounds to work hard both
academically
and
vocationally?
Between learning to manoeuvre a
horse around a field and explaining
to your friends that “chukkas” are
actually periods of time, scholars
are allowed ongoing riding and polo
coaching provided they commit to
working hard at school. In life skills
sessions – which also take place on the
farm – participants must continue to
demonstrate discipline and enthusiasm
for both the ponies and the sport.
“The children’s part of the
programme began seven years ago,
with two young brothers, Thapelo and
Tinto,” says Cairns. “Coming to the
farm whenever they could, they learnt
to ride and care for the ponies. The
eldest, Thapelo, now 20 years-old,
has been selected as one of the youth
leaders for the Laureus YES programme
and his confidence and capability has
subsequently improved. There are now
almost 30 children and young adults
in the programme and most receive
financial support for attending school,
the majority of which is kindly provided
by SAPA. Without this funding, it would
be difficult for many of these children to
stay in school,” explains Cairns.
A major relief for the programme
is the assistance they have recieved
from Laureus regarding their life skills
programme. “We have not had the time
nor the resources to focus on a life skills
programme, but thanks to Laureus we
now take this very seriously. Life skills
classes for scholars have become an
important feature over the last year
and a half and are aimed at giving
them a better chance at passing at
school. Scholars are given extra Maths
and English coaching, self-expression
training and a variety of practical
disciplines, such as carpentry, cooking,
sewing, swimming, computer skills
and beekeeping. Uitgedacht Farm is
hard at work creating the champions of
tomorrow.
Hout Bay Cycling
“Idly watching the cars and bikes pass by on the main
road below their settlement, Hout Bay youngsters never
dreamed of a time when they too would fly past waving
at their friends.” Stewart Banner – Chairman Hout Bay
Cycling Club
Many youngsters from Imizamo Yethu,
the informal settlement of Hout Bay
have a negative outlook on life based on
the limited opportunities found there.
Used to idly watching the cars and
bikes pass by on the main road below
their settlement, they never dreamed
of a time when they too would fly past,
waving at their friends. The Hout Bay
Cycling Club (HBCC) stepped
in and offered young people
from this impoverished
community a unique
opportunity to participate
in a recognised sport.
“Our
club
has
established itself as a
“home from home” for these
kids and offers a haven away from
some of the more negative influences of
the township,” explains Mark Crisp.
The club also mentors participants
and several have already enjoyed work
experience – broadening their horizons
and improving their future work
opportunities. So far 18 young cyclists
have joined since 2010, with older
participants moving on and younger
ones joining.
A highlight of the last year was
being awarded Laureus Sport for Good
Foundation funding, which has allowed
the club to start raising their standards to
the next level.
In addition to this exciting
development, 17 riders took part in their
first fun ride, The West Coast Express,
and results for 2012 have shown a huge
improvement on the year prior – each
rider finishing with a personal best time.
No cycle club is complete without a
resident mechanic to ensure that the
wheels turn smoothly and assistant
manager Themba Makau, a resident of
Imizamo fulfils this role while also being
familiar with many of the members and
their families. The funds received from
the Laureus Foundation have
enabled Themba to be paid a
small amount each month
for his many hours of
sweat.
“The participants have
enormous respect for
him,” says Crisp, “The help
and support he gives them is
invaluable.”
Some of the funding is also used to
purchase several sets of warm cycling kit
as well as new inner tubes and tyres to
replace worn ones. A bike maintenance
and cleaning day, held once a week, has
greatly helped lessen the wear and tear
on the bikes.
After spending a considerable amount
of money on bike repairs, and the riders
becoming uncaring about their bikes as a
result, it was decided that a maintenance
programme would boost morale. Judging
from the smiles and the keen interest
among the kids who are now more
interested in caring for their bikes the
strategy is working. As with most sports,
the Hout Bay Cycling Club is less about
the bike and more about developing a
sense of pride.
New
Sporting Greats
Cecil Afrika
New
Deshun Deysel
Natalie Du Toit
“It’s not money that
makes you wealthy, it’s
what you do with your
dreams that does!”
“Realising a dream is
not necessarily about
winning the trophy;
it’s about striving for
it. A dream allows you
to live.”
Deshun Deysel is one of
South Africa’s leading female
mountaineers. In her 15 year career
as a high altitude mountaineer, she
has been on 14 major expeditions to
five continents.
“He who is not courageous
enough to take risks will
accomplish nothing in life.”
Cecil Afrika is a South African rugby union player. He is
currently part of the South African sevens team where he
plays at Flyhalf. He made his debut for the South African
Sevens team during the Dubai leg of the 2009 - 2010
IRB Sevens World Series. He was also part of the sevens
team that took Bronze at the 2010 Commonwealth
Games held in Delhi, India.
Natalie du Toit became the first ever
amputee to qualify for the Olympic
Games in Beijing in 2008, where she
finished 16th in the 10km open water
swim. Later, in the Paralympics, she
became the toast of South Africa
after winning five gold medals.
Shaun Pollock
Lucas Radebe
“In Life/Sport,
different days bring
varying emotions, some
high and some low. Try
to respond to each the
same and be motivated
by them all.”
“Sport is like
life – it requires
perseverance, selfdenial, hard work,
sacrifice, dedication
and respect for
authority.”
Shaun Pollock is a bowling allrounder who took over as captain
of the South African international
cricket team for three years. He was
named Wisden Cricketer of the Year
in 2003.
Regarded almost unanimously as
the jewel in the Elland Road crown,
Leeds United’s former captain
and Bafana Bafana skipper Lucas
Radebe is widely acknowledged to
have been one of the game’s best
ever defenders.
lend their name to the cause
Desiree Ellis
Frank Fredericks
Bryan Habana
Jacob “Baby Jake” Matlala
“When someone
shares something of
value with you and
you benefit from
it, you have a moral
obligation to share it
with others.”
“Hard work, tenacity,
integrity, team work
and a balanced
lifestyle are the
foundations of
success.”
“It’s not what God
gives you that counts.
It’s how you take care
of it that does.”
“It’s not the size of
the dog in the fight,
but the size of the
fight in the dog.”
Explosive rugby winger Bryan
Habana was one of the stars of the
2007 Rugby World Cup, his eight
tries equalling the record set by New
Zealand’s Jonah Lomu in 1999.
He was named player of the
tournament and won the 2007
International Rugby Board Player
of the Year Award.
Jacob ‘Baby Jake’ Matlala started
going to the gymnasium with his
father when he was 10 and was
so passionate about the sport that
he decided to turn professional in
1979. He started boxing in 1980
and it only took him four contests
to become South African Junior
Flyweight champion.
South African football legend
Desiree Ellis made her international
debut in 1993 at the remarkable
age of 30. The following year she
became captain of the side and
subsequently led Banyana until her
retirement in April 2002.
Frank Fredericks is the only athlete
from Namibia to ever win an
Olympic medal. He won a silver
medal in the 200m at the 1991
World Championships, the first
major championships since Namibia
gained independence from South
Africa.
John Robbie
Ryan Sandes
Cynthia Tshaka
Ernst van Dyk
“Life is not a
rehearsal.”
“My inspiration in life
is to live every day as
if it were my last and
live for the moment.”
“If you want to be
respected by others,
you first need to
respect yourself.”
Award-winning Professional Athlete
Ryan Sandes is South Africa’s Hout
Bay Hero. After participating in his
first ever marathon in 2006, Sandes
has gone from step to stride, gaining
international acclaim as one of the
world’s top trail runners, whose
focus is always on the challenges
of the ultra-distance. Setting new
course records are a common
occurance for Sandes.
Cynthia Tshaka is a leading
television personality in South
Africa. She has since successfully
worked for major TV networks,
the South African Broadcasting
Corporation and M-Net. Cynthia
has worked on nearly all major
productions of SABC Sport.
“Never give up
pursuing excellence
in life and sport, but
most importantly
– never lose your
humanity in the quest.”
Born in Ireland, John Robbie
represented Ireland and the British
Lions and was a reserve for South
Africa while he was playing for
Transvaal. In 1981, he made the
permanent move to South Africa and
seven years later he won the multidiscipline SuperStars TV Challenge
and was named SA Radio Sports
Broadcaster of the Year.
A formidable wheelchair marathon
racer, South Africa’s Ernst van Dyk
has won the celebrated Boston
Marathon a record nine times. His
time of 1 hour 18.27 mins in 2004
became a long-standing world
record.
18
10 year timeline
Laureus Foundation South Africa has accomplished much over the years. Here are a few of our highlights.
•
•
“The Beginning”
Launch of Helderberg
Partnership Project
 1st Project joined –
Foundation for a Brighter
Future (Street Universe)
2
0
02
•
08
Foundation's 1st
participation in Cape
Argus Pick ‘n Pay Cycle
Tour with Laureus
Academy Members:
Miguel Indurain,
Hugo Porta and Daley
Thompson
0
2
2
0
•
PeacePlayers International
joined
03
LWSA – Double win for SA:
Springboks win Laureus
World Team of the Year and
PeacePlayers International
Project takes home the Laureus
Sport for Good Award
 Indigo Youth Movement joined
Makomba-Ndela Youth
Movement joined
•
New Ambassador – Bryan
Habana
•
Future Champs visit on
Pangaea
Deshun Deysel @ the Seven Summits
•
Academy Member Boris Becker visits
PeacePlayers International
•
Table Mountain Walk led by Laureus
Ambassador Deshun Deysel and joined
by fellow Ambassadors, Bronwyn BockJonathan and Natalie du Toit
Buffalo City Soccer School joined
0
2
Laureus Games
•
Fight with Insight joined
Launch of Soweto Schools
Rugby Project
•
1st Role Models Retreat
Future Champs Youth Programme
joined
07
•
Laureus Academy Member Hugo Porta
teams up with Laureus Global Founding
Partner, IWC Schaffhausen to cycle in
the Cape Argus Pick 'n Pay Cycle Tour
•
Laureus Academy Members Steve
Waugh and Daley Thompson joins
Morné du Plessis at the Discovery 702
Walk the Talk event
•
Laureus Trustee Ntambi Ravele and
Ambassador John Moeti visits the newly
announced Buffalo City Soccer Project
Lungisani Indlela joined
2
09
Laureus SA visits Mathare
Youth Sports Academy in Kenya
•
Laureus Confed Cup
•
Launch of Johannesburg Cubs
•
Discovery 702 Walk The Talk
with Global Ambassador
Michael Vaughan
•
Laureus Academy Member,
Mike Horn visits Little Champs
in Gugulethu
•
Vodafone visit: Lewis Hamilton
meets young leaders from
Indigo Youth Movement,
Soweto Schools Rugby and
Saarigama Foundation of Hope
projects
•
Laureus Academy Member
Tony Hawk visits Indigo Youth
Movement
01
2
0
•
0
•
New Ambassadors – Shaun
Pollock, Desiree Ellis
•
Projects experienced 2010 Fifa
World Cup™
•
Gabriela Sabatini and Laureus
Academy Member Hugo Porta
visits Laureus to cycle in the Cape
Argus Pick 'n Pay Cycle Tour
•
Global Ambassador Dame Kelly
Holmes visits Future Champs
•
Discovery 702 Walk The Talk with
Laureus Academy Member Nawal
El-Moutawakel
•
Project exchnage Fight for Peace
Brazil and Fight with Insight
•
Launch of Laureus Legacy Module
19
10 year timeline
Sozo joined
Sport for All joined
04
1st National Foundation to announce
Ambassadors: Natalie du Toit, Jacques Kallis,
Cynthia Tshaka, John Robbie
•
1st Project Exchange: Helderberg Partnership
and PeacePlayers International
•
Lucas Radebe, 'Baby Jake' Matlala, Bronwyn
Bock-Jonathan, Deshun Deysel and John Moeti
joins Ambassadors Programme later that year
0
2
2
0
•
05
•
Foundation's 1st International
trip to Austria, with Helderberg
Partnership Project
•
New Ambassador – Frank Fredericks
•
Laureus Academy Members:
Hugo Porta, Miguel Indurain,
Daley Thompson participates in
the Cape Argus Pick 'n Pay Cycle
Tour and joins Morné du Plessis
and Ambassadors Natalie du Toit,
John Moeti and Deshun Deysel on
a visit to project Sozo and Helderberg Partnership
Little Champs joined
2
0
2
01
1
06
•
Laureus Academy Forum held in South Africa
•
Hugo Porta in SA to participate in the Cape Argus Pick
'n Pay Cycle Tour
•
Ernst van Dyk wins Laureus World Sportperson of the
Year with a Disability Award
•
New Ambassador – Ernst van Dyk
Alexandra Football Academy joined
Free the Youth joined
•
Laureus Academy Member Daley Thompson joins
Morné du Plessis and Ambassadors; Lucas Radebe,
Jacques Kallis,Deshun Deysel, Cynthia Tshaka,Baby
Jake Matlala and John Robbie at the Discovery 702
Walk the Talk in Johannesburg
•
New Ambassador – Ryan
Sandes
•
Project Exchange, Soweto
Schools Rugby visits
Operation Breakthrough
in Hong Kong
FINISH
First 10
Years
Great Commission
United joined
START
Next 10
Years
Vuka joined
•
Waves for Change
joined
Laureus Academy Member, Mike Horn
visits Waves for Change
•
The Springboks visit Soweto Schools
Rugby Project
•
Laureus Academy Members Miguel
Indurain, Daley Thompson, Hugo Porta
and Morné du Plessis participates in
the Cape Argus Cycle Tour and attends
the Great Commission United Project
launch
•
Global Leadership
Summit in London
Poloafrica joined
01
Discovery 702 Walk The Talk with Laureus Academy Member Mark Spitz
•
'Baby Jake' Matlala's Fundraiser
Gala Dinner
•
Laureus Academy Member, Sean
Fitzpatrick visits Soweto Schools Rugby
Project
2
•
2
 Hout Bay Cycling Club joined
•
Cecil Afrika joined Ambassador Programme
•
First group of 10 Laureus YES leaders
graduates
•
Laureus Foundation SA turns 10
20
YES!
Youth Empowerment through Sports
Laureus Youth Empowerment through Sports (YES) Programme uses
the power of sport to equip youth leaders with the necessary skills to
become community change agents. A combination of accredited and
non-accredited sports training was offered to inspire young people to
become aware of their own potential in order to develop the potential
of other young people within their communities.
Through a robust application process, the projects supported by
the Laureus SA Foundation were asked to select two of their most
promising leaders, with a valid senior certificate and aged between
18 and 24. 10 finalists were selected from a pool of 23 applications.
The successful candidates joined the YES training providers and
facilitators over the two phase initiative that ultimately led to their
Social
graduation at the Laureus 10-year anniversary on 28th November
2012.
“There isn’t a lot of capacity to become community sports coaches
nor is there the relevant training available for the youth leaders. That
was the idea that inspired the YES programme,” said Mthokozisi
Madonda Global Project Manager. “At Laureus we are keen on
promoting the use of sports as a tool for social change and presently
the biggest driver for that change is community youth leaders.”
The sentiments of Nasiphi Khafu, YES graduate and Durbanbased basketball coach for PeacePlayers International, captures
what Laureus believes the power of sport can achieve. “Celebrating
our hard work, our great life changing experiences, our achievements? –
WOW! For most of us it was our first time ever being really acknowledged
for the great work that we do in our communities or even really achieving
anything, let alone receiving a certificate and being honored by the greatest
sportsmen and women this country has ever seen. Spending a day with
them, having them tell you that they appreciate you and the great work
that you do and that you are the reason they do what they do, you are the
reason they support and believe in the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation.
As President Nelson Mandela said at the opening of the Laureus Sports
Awards in Monaco in 2000 that “Sport has the power to change the
world”, it has definitely changed my world and a lot of other young people
in South Africa and around the world. It has given me life, it gave me
hope when I had lost it, it gave me friends, it gave me family after death
took away my parents, it put food on my table, it clothed me, it gave me a
Diploma in Sports Management, it gave me and a lot of other young people
who cannot speak out, a voice. It gave me love, it gave me the passion I have
today to be the sport for change agent; sport is my smile, my happiness …
my everything!”
Aphiwe Tshetsha, Sihle Ngubane, Andile Msomi, Lucretia Goliath,
Tsepo Mothijoa , Lungile Mthethwa, Maloisane Rakaki, Cody
Damons, Charl Jensel and Nasiphi Khafu – the first group of YES
leaders to be launched into the community.
Andile's Story
I would like to take this opportunity to extend my
gratitude to PeacePlayers International (PPI) for
giving me this tremendous opportunity to take
part in the Youth Empowerment through Sports
(YES) Programme . It means a lot that PPI saw
my potential and decided that I deserved the
opportunity to be selected for this programme.
I always enjoyed being involved with Laureus in
one way or another. When I was told about the YES
Programme recruitment process, I knew I had to
take advantage of the opportunity. I cancelled all
my plans, which were to represent my school at the
USSA’s basketball tournament in Port Elizabeth. I
knew this was a once in a life time opportunity that
would prove to be worth it!
Worth it, it was indeed. I learnt so much from
so many amazing people. They gave me a chance
to perceive the world around me differently,
cautiously and broadly. I realised that life is a
mystery - we learn everyday and just when you
think you know it all, someone comes and reminds
you that your room is not as full as you think it is.
There will always be someone to present you with
something new; you just have to choose to open up
to them.
Participating in the activities and just being
part of the YES group stimulated a whole lot of
emotions. I feared, I cried, I rejoiced, I cared,
I laughed (sooo much), I sympathised and
empathized, I admired and I even got a glimpse of
parts of me that I never thought I’d ever reach.
I got a chance to overcome my greatest fears.
Fear of height, water (just deep water). I went
canoeing! The anxiety, the adrenaline rush and just
Laureus Staff
Marlene Coetzee-George
attended her first World Sports
Awards in Portugal in 2004
giving my mates the benefit of the doubt, made
it more fun and more special for me. It was great,
period. The morning and the evening glory on
the horizon and around me were as satisfying as
the authentic beautiful smiles of the people I was
surrounded by.
It was a privilege to be part of the Laureus YES
Programme. The experience is irreplaceable; it was
everything I hoped it would be and everything I
needed.
I hope the programme will continue to touch
lives and to develop the youth for the betterment of
themselves and the people around them.
Andile Msomi
Marlene CoetzeeGeorge appointed
as first Foundation
Manager in 2002
Prudence
Fester joined
Laureus in
2003
Prudence Fester
attended her first
awards in Barcelona
Spain in 2006
Marvin Newman
accompanied
Soweto Schools
Rugby project to
Hong Kong in 2011
Gita Carroll
joined Laureus
in 2008
2009 marked a
great milestone
for a great man:
Gita Carroll
attended her first
awards in Abu
Dhabi in 2011
Morné du Plessis
turned 60
Marvin
Newman joined
Laureus in 2006
Marlene CoetzeeGeorge welcomed
baby Reuel into
her family in 2010
Marvin Newman
got engaged in 2012
– congratulations
to Marvin and the
beautiful Zeta
21
Social
Ask Dr. D
Dr. Catherine Draper is based at the
Sports Science Institute, with the UCT/
MRC Research Unit for Exercise Science
and Sports Medicine. She has conducted
a number of studies with Laureussupported programmes. Here she answers
some questions about the role of sport and
physical activity in bringing about social
change, from a researcher’s perspective.
I am the principal of a preschool in a
township. How important is it for the
kids at my school to be active? Do I need
to get lots of equipment for activities?
Getting preschool children active is extremely
important! The activity habits they form at this
age can help increase the chance that they will be
active as they get older, and activity throughout
one’s life is essential for health and well-being.
Being inactive is now actually more dangerous than
smoking! Physical activity for preschool children is
generally in the form of play, and it should always
be fun. Children this age need a good balance
between structured play activities (where someone
tells them what to do), and free play (where they
can do what they want). Neither of these types of
activities need lots of expensive equipment, and
there are even activities you can do if you don’t
have lots of space.
Our research with Little Champs, a weekly
activity programme for preschool children, showed
that children taking part in this programme had
better gross motor skills, e.g. running, jumping,
catching, hitting a ball, than other children in their
community. Plus, we also found that Little Champs'
participants also improved their school readiness
more than other children in their community. The
reason for this is that gross motor skills are the
building blocks for other ‘cognitive’ skills (skills that
involve thinking) that children need for school. So
including more physical activities and play in your
daily programme can be good for your children’s
bodies and their minds, and remember that play
helps learning!
I am a high school teacher in Joburg, and
one of our learners got charged with a
sexual offence. He has been sent to do
the Fight with Insight programme at the
Teddy Bear Clinic. Won’t this just make
him more aggressive?
Fight with Insight (FWI) is a unique programme
that uses boxing and therapy to help rehabilitate
young sexual offenders. The concern that boxing
will encourage aggression is a common one, but our
research with the FWI programme shows that the
boxing in this programme actually helps to channel
aggression in a healthy way. Youth who participated
in the FWI programme even spoke about FWI
helping them to avoid bullying and fighting “on
Win
the streets”, and it was evident that their selfconfidence and self-esteem improved as a result of
the programme. The helpful and non-judgemental
environment of the Teddy Bear Clinic, as described
by FWI participants, helps to bring about these
improvements.
It’s important to know that there are four
principles emphasised by the FWI boxing coach,
and these are also addressed in the therapy sessions
(along with other issues): ‘first impressions’,
‘compassion’, ‘consequences to action’, and
‘moving on from the results’. Our study found
that the boxing (and these principles) and therapy
components of the programme work really well
together to develop the skills required by FWI
participants to bring about sustainable and
meaningful change in their lives, particularly
as they learn to apply these skills outside the
programme and their offending behaviour.
I am 15 years old, and I like to play soccer.
Some of my friends have joined the Sport
For All programme. Is this better than
just joining a normal soccer club?
Yes it is! Playing soccer is a great way to keep
active, but although physical health is important,
it’s also important to look after your mental health.
Programmes, like Sport for All (SFA), which include
life skills sessions along with their sport coaching,
help to address some of those things that keep
your mind healthy. For example, in our study with
SFA, we found that those who took part in SFA
(compared to other youth in their community)
talked about having more respect for others, and
felt more able to resist some of the pressures they
face, such as adults sending them to buy drugs. We
also found that the youth in the SFA programme
were more motivated to play sport, and were more
interested in winning, playing at a higher level, and
developing their skills than the other youth from
their community.
So joining a programme like SFA doesn’t mean
that they aren’t serious about sport! In some new
research we are doing with other programmes that
combine sport and life skills, we are finding that
these kinds of programmes can not only improve

your soccer skills, but also help to make you a better
person all-round. This will set you up better for the
future and help you get on the right path to success
in your life, not just on the soccer field.
I run a NGO for youth in disadvantaged
communities. We have a sports
programme and life skills sessions.
Everyone knows that sport is a good
thing, so why is it necessary to do
research?
Many people working with children and youth
want to believe that sport has the power to change
lives. While this can be true in many cases, it
is naïve to believe that sport on its own can
make the change. There are usually some key
ingredients necessary for sport-for-development
programmes to make a significant impact on the
lives of participants. These might be well-trained
and experienced facilitators and/or coaches, a
comprehensive life skills curriculum, or excellent
leadership provided by programme managers.
Furthermore, many children and youth taking part
in sport-for-development programmes come from
extremely difficult circumstances – perhaps an
abusive situation at home, regularly going to bed
hungry, and poor education opportunities. When
they leave the sports field after a coaching and life
skills session, they still return to the same situation,
and desperately need the skills to overcome their
circumstances in order to really experience the
change so many talk about. Unfortunately, very
little research has been done to scientifically
prove the change brought about by sport-fordevelopment programmes and to really understand
the key ingredients I mentioned before.
We definitely need further research to provide
more concrete evidence of programmes that do
bring about change, and this research should aim to
identify what it is the programme does that makes
it successful. When we have more of this kind of
information, we can not only improve existing
programmes, but can also provide valuable insight
for those who want to develop and implement new
programmes to bring about the kind of change we
would all really like to see.
How? Like us, retweet us or
direct tweet us.
Why? The best Laureus twitter promoter
will win special Laureus merchandise, as
well as an opportunity to be a guest at
a project visit with one of the legendary
Laureus Ambassadors!
Laureus South Africa
@Laureus_sa
Laureus @LaureusSport
"I can't change history, I don't
want to change history. I can
only change the future. I'm
working on that." Boris Becker
20. September

Competition winner announced
18 Feb 2013.
Mike Horn @ExplorerMikeHorn
When you do what you love,
you never ask why!
18. September
www.laureus.co.za

22
Classifieds
Laureus Sport for Good
Foundation
Ned Wills (Global Foundation
Director)
Postal Address: 460 Fulham Road,
London SW 1BZ
Laureus Sport for Good
Foundation Trust South
Africa
Prudence Fester (Manager)
Postal Address: 4th Floor, Sports
Science Institute, Boundary Road,
Newlands 7700
Private bag X5
Newlands 7725
Tel: +27 21 659 5610
Cell: +27 83 254 5642
Fax: +27 21 659 5601
Email: pfester@ssisa.com
Sport For All
Modi Marishane (CEO)
E-mail: modim@sportforall.co.za
Mobile number: 0716808857
Office number: 0878204030
www.sportforall.co.za
YOU ARE A CRICKET
FAN? MAKE YOUR
OWN GAME
Johannesburg Cubs
Lewis Weinstein
(Project Manager)
Postal Address: PO Box 40596,
Cleveland 2022
Tel: +27 11 616 6168
Cell: +27 82 891 2377
Fax: +27 11 616 6163
linea.lewis@gmail.com
FUN FOR KIDS
Discovery
Little Champs
Sandhya Vedalankar (Deputy General
Manager, Marketing Services: CSI)
Postal Address: PO Box 786722
Sandton 2146
Tel: +27 11 529 2561
Email: SandhyaV@discovery.co.za
Kevin Fine (Managing Director)
Tel: +27 11 722 7372
Cell: +27 83 222 5381
Email: kevin@littlechamps.co.za
Web: www.littlechamps.co.za
Vuka
YOUR CHANCE TO BE A
RUGBY STAR!
Barry O’Mahony (Trustee)
Aska House, Newlands on Main,
Main Road, Newlands, Cape Town
Tel: +27 21 671 0799
Cell: +27 83 458 5422
Fax: +27 86 618 1904
Email: barry@veritaswealth.co.za
Soweto Schools Rugby
Project
Bongi Nhleko (Project Manager)
touchnafrica@gmail.com
+27 71 152 8901
676A Zone 1
Madubane Street
Meadowlands
1852
Fight with Insight
Lungisani Indlela
Youth Movement
Zanele Brown (Project Manager)
126 Cardham Drive, Phoenix 4068
Tel: +27 31 505 8811
Fax: +27 31 505 8981
www.lungisani-indlela.org.za
email: zanele@lungisani-indlela.org.za
Poloafrica
BE THE KING OF THE
WAVES!
Catherine Cairns (Founder)
Postal Address: Uitgedacht Farm, PO
Box 1315, Ficksburg 9730
Tel: +27 84 290 0000
Cell: +27 83 434 63 72
Email: info@poloafrica.com
Web: www.poloafrica.com
Isiqalo – Waves for
Change
Development Trust
Cell: +27 79 302 1531
Skating in Zululand!
Indigo Youth
Movement
Contact Dallas Oberholzer (Managing
Director) at
+27 83 453 6385
Postal Address: 716 Musgrave Road,
Durban 4001
Email: dallas@indigokatecamp.co.za
Learn to skate like Tony Hawk!
Buffalo City Soccer School
Anton Gilmore (Founder and Director)
Postal Address: 1 Berg Street,
Rosettenville
Tel: 011 616 6168
Fax: 011 616 6163
Cell:+27 82 891 2377
Email: fightwithinsight@gmail.com
Great Commission
United
Mario van Niekerk
(Project Leader)
Postal Address: 3 Groenberg,
Cape Town 8000
Tel: +27 21 637 5668
Cell: +27 73 474 7769
Email: mario@gcu.org.za
Making a difference at
grassroots level
Grassroot Soccer
Call James Donald
+27 71 675 0794
jamesd@grassrootsoccer.org
www.grassrootsoccer.org
The Mercedes-Benz star shines
its light on social sustainability
Learners at the St Anthony’s Education Centre in Gauteng benefit from the support
of Mercedes-Benz South Africa’s social investment programme
From its base of operations at the southern tip of Africa, German car manufacturer, MercedesBenz South Africa (MBSA), has entrenched itself as a force to be reckoned with on the global stage,
producing vehicles of exceptional quality, class-leading technology and timeless style.
Business at MBSA is underpinned by the global Daimler AG vision to be the world authority on
sustainable mobility. This drives the company’s commitment to strike a balance between economic,
ecological and social issues, in its quest for good governance and responsible business practice.
Corporate Social Investment (CSI) plays an integral part in making this possible, and is linked to
the socio-economic challenges that are so unique to the South African context. “The impetus for our
commitment to socio-economic development stems from our acute awareness of the harsh realities
that we as South Africans face,” says divisional manager for group corporate affairs, Mayur Bhana.
“We have contributed to the growth of the country through many eras. After more than 60 years in
Tim Conibear (Co-Founder & Project
Director)
Postal Address: 1 Peri Road, Clovelly,
Fish Hoek, Cape Town 7975
Email: tim.conibear@isiqalo.org
Makomba Ndlela Youth
Movement
Tsakani Elvis Chauke
(Managing Director)
Postal Address: PO Box 2106, Elim
Hospital 0960
Cell: +27 73 553 1141
Email: tsakanielvis@yahoo.com,
tsakani.elvis@gmail.com
PeacePlayers
International - SA
Simon Sylvester Adams
(Project Owner)
Postal Address: 36 Townsend Avenue,
Westering, Port Elizabeth
Tel: +27 41 404 3400
Cell: +27 79 495 5476
Fax: +27 41 404 3512
Ryan Douwie
(Operations/HR Manager)
Postal Address: 28 2nd Avenue
Greyville, Durban 4000
Tel: +27 31 309 4836
simon.adams@za.sabmiller.com
rdouwie@peaceplayersintl.org
Cell: +27 79 679 7145
FUN FOR EVERYONE!
Hout Bay Cycling
Call Mark Crisp
Tel: +27 82 568 2243
Email: markcrisp@cybersmart.co.za
South Africa, the sustainable growth of the country and our people remains a key focus area for the
company.”
Corporate social giving is not merely a legislative responsibility but is a moral obligation, and the
pinnacle of MBSA’s quest for ethical business leadership. In fact, the company’s long tradition of doing
good deeds supersedes the legislative imperative to comply, and has assisted MBSA in achieving its
Level 4 BBBEE status – a benchmark in the automotive industry – with ease.
Economic growth, in conjunction with social stability, is unquestionably a key to sustainable
development. MBSA chooses to use the field of Education as a vehicle to contribute to the economic
development of disadvantaged groups, with the aim of improving the circumstances of current
and future generations. “Armed with a good education and market-relevant skills, individuals are
empowered to chart their own success, either as employees or entrepreneurs. This will have a domino
effect through the generations, first eradicating the debilitating effect of poverty, and also growing
both the working and middle classes,” Bhana says.
For this reason 50% of the MBSA spend on social investment is channelled into education, and
spans the spectrum from early childhood development to primary and tertiary education.
The remaining percentage focuses on projects with an HIV/AIDS and health element. “A healthy
country is an economic force to be reckoned
with,” Bhana says.
The company acted on the realisation
that HIV/AIDS, if left unchecked in the
workplace and in the community around its
East London plant, would have a deleterious
effect on its business.
Because the motor manufacturer is such
an important contributor to the economic
wellbeing of this area, its business success
is inextricably linked to the fortunes of
communities and woven into the socioeconomic fabric.
Employees from Mercedes-Benz South Africa
make the annual trek to rural communities as
The company’s commitment over more
part of the Rally to READ initiative to spread
than a decade has shown that a proactive
literacy amongst rural youth
and comprehensive approach works best.
The success of the HIV/AIDS programmes amongst employees, suppliers and communities has won
recognition and accolades worldwide, with the best benefit being a stabilised infection rate within the
company.
MBSA believes that sustainability should be tackled in an integrated manner, and while the
company is proud of the gains made already, it continues to innovate and push the envelope for a
brighter future.
Mayur Bhana, Divisional Manager: Group Corporate Affairs Mercedes-Benz South Africa (Pty) Ltd
123 Wierda Road, Zwartkop, 0046 | P O Box 1717, Pretoria, 0001 | Phone: +27 12 677 5789 | Fax: +27 12 660 7122 | Cell: +27 82 8252 451 | mayur.bhana@daimler.com
Discovery 702 Walk the Talk
Discovery Laureus Sport for Good Foundation Retreat
Discovery Cape Times Big Walk
GM_18451DCOR_14/11/12
Discovery Marathon
DISCOVERY’S CORE PURPOSE making people healthier and enhancing and protecting their lives – is a clear and profound promise expressed in each of the health
and financial products we offer to nearly six million clients across four continents. It is also the credo on which we base all our corporate
social investment initiatives – our passion and commitment to our core purpose is carried into the broader community to benefit both
current and future generations and make a positive and lasting difference in the South African society.
Making quality
healthcare accessible to
all South Africans
Access to healthcare is an issue most countries grapple with, and South Africa is no exception. With a population of 50 million, only a small number of South Africans, around eight
million, have access to private healthcare, while 42 million of our citizens rely on a severely overburdened public healthcare sector for all their healthcare needs. As a leader in the
South African healthcare industry, we believe that addressing this challenge is the area in which we can make our greatest contribution – we are dedicated to strengthening and
improving our country’s healthcare system in a number of ways to make quality healthcare accessible to all South Africans.
Investing in education
and training to boost our
healthcare system
South Africa has the largest burden of HIV and AIDS in the world which, together with TB, accounts for nearly 42% of all deaths in the country. Although we have the clinical
infrastructure and local expertise to act as a hub for research and development on infectious diseases, we have a severe shortage of suitably skilled medical professionals, especially
academic specialists in these healthcare areas. To address this shortfall, the Discovery Foundation was set up in 2006 to invest in the education and training of medical specialists
and the development of academic and research centres. Our goal is to invest more than R150 million by 2016 towards this end. The main focus is on Academic Medicine, clinical
research, sub-specialist training programmes, public healthcare and speciality training in critical areas such as HIV and AIDS, TB, cardiology and oncology. To date, we have through
the Foundation, committed more than R84 million in 169 awards to specialists in training and healthcare institutions in South Africa.
For Discovery, this is not merely the “right thing to do”. We believe healthcare is a national asset, and private and public healthcare must work together to ensure a strong and
equitable healthcare system for all. We therefore choose projects where we can respond to national healthcare priorities identified by the Department of Health and where our
support will strengthen healthcare delivery.
The recipients we have funded are focused on numerous initiatives that will help boost South Africa’s healthcare system and support the Government in its vision of providing
healthcare for all. They are also training other upcoming medical professionals in their respective fields, imparting their skills and knowledge to a new generation of medical
practitioners keen on remaining in South Africa and making significant contributions to our nation’s health and wellbeing.
Supporting primary
healthcare delivery in
areas of critical need
Through the Discovery Fund, an independent trust, we give ongoing support to 40 community healthcare projects around South Africa. These projects often work in remote and
rural areas and provide the most critical healthcare services. The strategy adopted by the Fund ensures alignment to investment in four of the eight Millennium Development Goals
– ending poverty and hunger; maternal health; child health; and combating HIV and AIDS. Our projects also focus on several elements of primary healthcare as defined by the World
Health Organization, including education on prevailing health problems; promotion of food supply and proper nutrition; provision of essential drugs, and immunisation against major
infectious diseases. Since the Discovery Fund’s first investments in 1999, it has awarded over R65 million in 258 grants to over 100 public benefit organisations, universities and health
facilities across South Africa.
One of the projects the Fund supports is a partnership with UNICEF to support the National Department of Health in its drive to improve child and maternal health by improving
immunisation coverage in districts where the rate of immunisation has been low. The Discovery UNICEF Immunise SA programme is focusing on national needs and is also supporting
districts in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. The areas the programme is addressing include helping to improve the quality of service in districts that are not performing well, and
building capacity in the healthcare system through training nurses and healthcare workers to ensure they can implement the immunisation programmes effectively and efficiently. Our
involvement extends to more than funding. To help raise awareness in communities about the benefits of immunisation, a large-scale communication campaign including information
booklets and leaflets, and a radio campaign has been put in motion.
Advocating a better
society through the
involvement of our people
In support of our corporate social investment projects, the Discovery Employee Volunteer Programme enables Discovery employees to make a meaningful contribution to
communities in need. Our employees support national volunteer initiatives such as the CANSA Shavathon and National Volunteer Week, but also commit to long-term involvement
with community projects. For example, our TI team members volunteer their time and raise funds for the Refilwe Community Project in Lanseria, Johannesburg, while the Discovery
Health Exco is providing mentorship and support to the Alexandra Health Centre and University Clinic near Sandton. We encourage our employee volunteer teams to adopt projects
with which Discovery already has a relationship, ensuring the sustainability of these projects and creating a multiple investment opportunity for Discovery. It also allows for closer
engagement with our projects, assisting us to fulfil our core purpose – making people healthier and enhancing and protecting their lives.
Laureus Sport for
Good Foundation –
a decade of social change
through sports
The Laureus Sport for Good Foundation provides funding for projects dedicated to engineering positive social change in communities worldwide among youth from disadvantaged
backgrounds. The South African chapter of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, established in 2002, gives our youth a better life through sport. The work Laureus does is in line
with our core purpose of making people healthier and enhancing and protecting their lives, and our Vitality wellness programme, which promotes healthy living. We are proud to
partner with the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation in South Africa.
Discovery is the country patron for Laureus. We have committed R25 million over 10 years to Laureus to help fund the South African based projects initiated across the country.
These projects use sport to make a positive difference in communities across the country, and address critical issues among our youth such as drug abuse, violence, tensions
between communities, racial and religious intolerance, and HIV and AIDS.
Laureus encourages and motivates young people to lead healthier, meaningful lives through harnessing the power of sport to teach them essential life skills, such as leadership,
teamwork, communication skills, the importance of education, and being fit and healthy to prevent injury and illness. In addition, our youth are encouraged to live healthier, more
productive lives through learning how to use the tools of good preparation, regular exercise, and good nutrition.
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