Izichwe thanks Viking Stavanger FC (Photo by Peter Alegi)
From black high-cut steel-toe boots with leather studs to light, laceless pink boots with titanium studs, the history of football shoes is a journey from pain to pleasure.
Outside Europe and North America, however, millions of young players from working poor families cannot experience that special feeling of slipping on a fine pair of ‘real’ football boots. That is why this week’s generous gift of high quality boots from Viking Stavanger FC in Norway brought such joy to the boys of the Izichwe Youth Football program in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal.
Izichwe has also been invited to Norway for a major international tournament in May 2011. The solidarity of Viking (est. 1899) is doing a lot to open up opportunities for this terrific group of young South Africans.
Reggie Shelembe (1960-2010) -- iqhawe lamaqhawe (Photo by Peter Alegi)
African football has lost a giant. Reggie Shelembe (1960-2010), former player for African Wanderers, Durban Bush Bucks and AmaZulu and coach of Maritzburg City, has passed away from cancer. My heartfelt condolences to his family.
I got to know Reggie at the Izichwe development program where he coached young boys and my daughter. Reggie was a football connoisseur, devoted family man and teacher who came to training despite his illness, always eager to discuss the young players’ progress, the latest Champions League match and, of course, the 2010 World Cup. One hot afternoon, too hot for his weary body, he watched the training session from his parked car. When I went to say hi he smiled broadly and said: ‘man, you’ve got a nice first touch! I could see it all the way from here!’
I only had the privilege of Reggie’s company for a cruelly short time. But I’ll remember fondly our many afternoons spent ‘doing football’. His knowledge, generosity and commitment will continue to inspire us to put people before profits in and out of football.
Thabo Dladla’s thoughts on the passing of his dear friend tell us far more than I ever could. Here they are:
Mhlanga Madondo, one of our most promising young coaches, made a profound statement when the late Reggie Shelembe was critically ill. ‘We cannot afford to lose a man of his experience. Reggie’s death will put uMgungundlovu [Pietermaritzburg] football back more than 20 years. It will be very difficult for local to recover from his passing.” Zakes Gwala, SAFA KZN secretary, also made a telling statement about Shelembe a few years ago. ‘The man spends most of his time training players, whether it’s a cold or very hot day.’
I think it is proper to thank his family to have allowed football to share him. We live in a time where life is more about status and power. There are very few men and women who are prepared to make sacrifices for others. A lot of people coach hoping to get instant fame and fortune. We have few people in this country with the passion to work under difficult conditions.
Shelembe lived for football. He would call me at odd hours to talk about technical-tactical ideas. He was a true student of the game. The last time I visited him, he was watching the recent Women’s U20 World Cup. He was excited about the growth of women’s football. Shelembe was also part of the coaching group that recruited Izichwe Youth Football Programme talent. He worked with Styles Mkhize and Mhlanga Madondo in the infancy stage of the programme. He came to training even when he was sick. He trained juniors in the mornings and seniors in the afternoons.
The death of Shelembe should usher in a new commitment from people. Football needs parents who will take responsibility for the development of children. I would like to appeal to young players to learn from Shelembe’s life. It is important to give back in life. May his family be consoled by the fact that Shelembe lived life to its fullest. He was a brave man who fought hard to the end. May his soul rest in peace. Unzima lo mthwalo!
Thabo Dladla (right) and Styles at Izichwe (Photo by Peter Alegi)
‘Talking Football’ by Thabo Dladla (Echo, 5 August 2010)
The euphoria and excitement that grew around football during the recent World Cup are not likely to boost the beautiful game in South Africa. If our attitudes do not change towards this predominantly black sport, it will remain a stepchild of South African sport for many years to come.
Rugby and cricket will continue to receive support from businesses and decision makers. The black elites’ children attend private and formerly white high schools which promote rugby and cricket . . . [codes] which enjoy the best sporting facilities, all the way up to university level. The few facilities available to football are either poorly maintained or not maintained at all.
The system continues to support the rich and politically powerful. there are many black faces leading institutions such as schools, universities, municipalities and government departments, and yet football continues to struggle.
At university level rugby enjoys huge sponsorship and coverage on television while football [does] not despite the huge number of students who play the game . . . The young men and women in this age group should be competing in U20 and U23 competitions. The Izichwe Youth programme based at the University of KwaZulu-Natal strives to address some of the challenges faced by the needy youth.[The program receives support from Ilawu B.B., National Lottery, Metropolitan, Adidas and Viking Stavanger FC in Norway.]
The rich and powerful call for more police and prisons. Yet the country requires youth programmes to empower our youngsters socially, economically and academically, to shape their future. I would like to see a change in attitude from those who make decisions in government and business.
It is not only the rugby-playing children from middle class families who have dreams. Patriotism is not only about carrying flags and singing national anthems, it is more about caring and supporting your fellow citizens.
The 2010 World Cup in Disney-like FIFAland ended only seven days ago and since then South African columnists and cartoonists, corporate managers and car guards, compulsive fans and casuals alike have been vexed by the same post-World Cup question: what do we do now?
The immediate answer was stunningly simple. Back to the pitch! For me, that means training with the four dozen youngsters and the committed coaches of the Izichwe Youth Football program here in Pietermaritzburg. On Saturday, at the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Peter Booysens sports ground, the teenagers played against the Durban (eThekwini) under-15 representative side due to compete in the ‘One Nation’ tournament in Bremen, Germany, in a few months.
Even though the visitors from the big city won, it was a glorious day for pure football. The illuminating pass, the righteous tackle, the crisp give-and-go, and the delicate chip shot over the keeper and into the back of the net. There will be time for improving team tactics and defensive organization. For now, let’s keep playing, learning, and giving Bafana Bafana hope for the future.
