By Nangamso Mabindla
13 July 2005

IT WAS all smiles in Mdantsane last week when youngsters in Ward 41 were given R30 000 worth of sports equipment.

Buffalo City sponsored the gear, as part of its community outreach programme. Ward 41 Councillor Kawulezile Pati said the City wanted to use the funding to help the deprived children of Mdantsane.

"We as parents decided to encourage these children to take up soccer, boxing, weight-lifting and cricket as a means of escaping poverty," he said.

Sports teams were given some equipment but the main aim was to encourage them to compete for a floating trophy. It would be won by the best team in the ward, Pati said. "Our aim is for them to play for the trophy, with the trophy moving from one best team to another for the next season."

The parents wanted to develop the skills of their youngsters so that they could "make it" in the sporting world, he added. "Whether you are educated or not, sport gives you a chance to make something out of your life and make a difference in your community. It also gives you a chance to use your skill and make a living."

One of the youngsters giving back to his community was Protea fast bowler Makhaya Ntini, who had established a cricket stadium in Mdantsane Zone 13.

"We want these youngsters to do the same thing. We would like them to give back to their communities. Some of them will be an inspiration to [other] poor children in our community," Pati said.

The City money was not only used to buy sports equipment, however. "We do have garden equipment to give to the ward to promote agriculture in schools and other important things.

"After acquiring these, parents decided to give equipment to sports teams and encourage sports development in our ward," he concluded.