The KwaMhlanga Sports Academy in Mamelodi township, Gauteng, hosted its first annual quarterly soccer clinic over the second weekend of April 2023. A total of 22 teams are currently participating in the Mamelodi football league.
The Academy collaborates with local soccer clubs to run a skills development programme that benefits 200 young aspiring soccer players (ages 6-16) on a weekly basis.
During their training sessions and soccer clinics, the Academy invites former Mamelodi Sundowns players to coach and encourage the young players – teaching them a variety of skills and providing mentorship.
Thanks to the Nedbank Proud of my Town programme, we were able to support the Academy through the donation of equipment that will assist them in future training. The young players will also be attending a Nedbank Star Saver financial training session in June 2023 and will participate in the Men around the Fire and Single Mothers Raising Sons events, also taking part in June.
The objective is to address the holistic well-being of the young players by harnessing the power of sport.
Ranyaka is the implementation agent of the Nedbank Proud of my Town programme, which is currently being rolled out in 27 communities in 8 provinces across South Africa. Sport, Art & Culture is one of ten programmes that forms part of the Proud of my Town initiative.