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Inner-City Mandela Tournament a success

By Sithembile Moyo

Hillbrow EKhaya Park hosted the Mandela Tournament in honoring Community builders who work with kids within the Hillbrow community in Johannesburg. The initiative was in recognition of all those who participate in the development of the neighborhood. Soccer Coaches were also honored for their contribution by channeling young kids in sport development.

 The Hillbrow SAPS (South African Police Service), attended the event, accompanied by the Community Police Forum (CPF), Badboyz Security and caretakers of the residential buildings. These sectors work jointly ensuring that the Hillbrow community is safe.

The biggest challenges in Hillbrow are the issues of hijacked buildings and safety. Everyone deserves to walk freely in their community. When one leaves their flat and returns home, SAPS, CPF and Badboyz present a safety visibility to protect and make sure the community members remain safe.

Property Owners such as JHC Trafalgar, AFCHO, VukaJozi, Jozi Housing, Africa Campus, Urban Task Force and Madulamoho are part of Hillbrow Community and do not only own buildings but also contribute to safety interventions in the community. Property owners have invested in a project of installing CCTV cameras around Hillbrow especially in the crime hot spots to secure the community interests.

Lungisani Ntuli said ‘’the spirit of Nelson Mandela is the change that you wish to see everyday”

Every year Hillbrow EKhaya Park holds the Soccer Tournament to bring everyone together and keep the young Boys out of the streets. The social events are a building tool for building social cohesion in the area.

‘’Having eKhaya Park and dedicated coaches helps kids to stay away from drugs and one day some of the champions will come from Ekhaya park to be Part of Bafana Bafana team’’ Xolani Khumalo said.

Hillbrow has introduced ‘Sawubona culture’ that means you don’t just walk past anyone without passing a greet, thus get to know your neighbours and initiate talking as it creates strong community bonds, as a result everyone becomes familiar with one another around the neighborhood at the end of the day.

Bafikile  Mkhize put emphasis that young boys take the tournament seriously because its where their career starts from. Every child is aware that there is safety at Ekhaya park as it has its own security, and coaches have turned Ekhaya park to be the safest place for activities. They have mentored many young boys and out of the hands of these coaches some have played in big teams outside the country, plying their skills at international stages.

Mandela Tournament for under 13 and 15 boys.

Under 13.                                                                                             Under 15

Position One JHC                                                                                 Position One Trafalgar

Position Two Vuka Jozi                                                                       Position Two Vuka Jozi

Position  Three Jozi Housing                                                              Position three Constitution View                                                                         

          

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