Beyers Naude Schools Development Programme (BNSDP) in partnership with the Free
State Department of Education and Dreamfields hosted a sports tournament for the ten schools affiliated with the BNSDP in Thabo Mofutsanyane district.
The sport tournament is a way of motivating and encouraging learners, to participate in extra-mural activities that are often completely absent in rural schools. All ten schools were awarded a full soccer and netball kits in the form of dreambags. Each dreambag contains three soccer balls, 15 pairs of boots and 15 sets of kit, including numbered shirts, shorts and socks. Kit is supplied in the colour chosen by the school and boots provided according to sizes requested by the teacher in charge of the team. Dreambags cost R6 000, but the inspiration they provide is priceless.
“We never stop being inspired by the way a dreambag transforms a group of shy youngsters into a confident team of ten foot tall footballers,” said Isaiah Moshugi, a representative from Dreamfields.
“The Dreamfields project works in partnership with the Department of Education and together we have staged schools tournaments, dream events where dreambags are handed out to all the schools in a particular town or district. The tournaments are fantastic events, the joy of the children and the deep satisfaction of the donors mixing together in a day filled with football, Netball and positive feelings” said Silas Mashava another representative of Dreamfields project.
The schools that took part were Maanankoe Secondary, Molapo Senior Secondary, Mmathabo Secondary, Reahola Further Education and Training (FET), Tsebo Secondary, Rantsane Secondary, Thlorong Secondary, Dikwena Secondary, Phofung Senior Secondary and Moteka Secondary Schools.
The different teams squared of at 11h00 and each played 30 minute matches against each other. At the end Moteka Secondary and Mmathabo Secondary proved their endurance when they beat all odds to get to the final. Their deft touches and skilful passes could leave a few professionals green with envy. Whilst
Mmathabo Secondary dominated the game; luck eluded them as their strikers could not find the net. On the other hand, Moteka Secondary goalkeeper was in an uncompromising mood as he foiled all attempts at goal.
To be precise, he stood between Mmathabo Secondary and victory. The two teams had a humdinger of a match which ended in a goalless stalemate. However, there had to be a winner thus the final was decided on a penalty shoot-out. Moteka
Secondary went through with a 3 to 1 score. The learners were in for a further treat as the winning prizes were given to them by non other than the MEC of Education Tate Makgoe himself.
Meanwhile, a debate competition was held after the soccer and netball tournament. The topic read thus ‘Language: does it play any role in the establishment of self identity, socialisation modes, stereotypes and being media savvy’.
The competition was tough as both teams had done their research and both demonstrated formidable skills in crushing and analysing opponents’ arguments. The proposing team from Molapo Secondary consisting of Mothibedi Sefatsa, Tselane Mohooa and Madineo Mofokana came out victorious. The opposing team from Tsebo Secondary consisting of Refiloe Seobi, Rethabile Tsotetsi and Sipho Vilakazi were not sore losers as they congratulated the winners in a true sportsman’s spirit.
Issued by: Department of Education, Free State Provincial Government
21 September 2009
Source: Department of Education, Free State Provincial Government (http://www.fsdoe.fs.gov.za/)
