Nie Cele
It’s all systems go for the 7th edition ET Radede Foundation Gauteng annual High Schools Soccer and Netball Tournament.
Eight Netball teams and 8 Soccer teams are expected to slug it out for coveted trophies and individual awards at the Diepkloof Zone 5 Sports grounds this Satuday.
This time around, this Soweto founded tournament has attracted schools outside Soweto with an aim of piloting it to a national tournament and each school will also be represented by legends.
This prestigious tournament is a brainchild of Lucas Radebe, former professional footballer who played as a centre back for Kaizer Chiefs, Bafana Bafana and Leeds United in England.
The tourney is named after his late mother Emily Tlaleng Radebe and is run by the entire family
During the launch at Safe Hub in Soweto Radebe told journalists his mother ran a crèche, Netball team, Football team and a choir.
He also revealed the tournament was growing in leaps and bounds and there is big vision behind the ET Radebe Foundation that will be revealed in future for the community.
“We are trying to find a place where community can come and raise their life challenges.
Pressed to elaborate about the difficulty of sourcing sponsorship. He said, “Corporates and brands must have seen something good and right in the tourney hence they came on board and lent a helping hand.”
“It’s not about me but it takes a lot of pressure from me. We are just trying to make a difference in the Diepkloof Community at-large. My mother was a community builder. As a family we ve learned a lot from her.
“The foundation was founded to push the work she was doing in the community and we decided to take on the baton. For the past 7 years we have seen it grow in leaps with different stakeholders who shared the vision with us.
“It’s a great vision for the community and the kids. We want Diepkloof to be the hub of the tournament. We are trying to deal with GBV and substance abuse. We have kids who are disabled and can’t leave the house and need support. That s a kind of work we are trying to do. We hope to reach as many people and stakeholders.”
Bob Ndlakuse, Acting Director of School Sports at Gauteng Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation told the audience it was a privilege for the department to have a partnership with a legend like Radebe.
“Sports is a bedrock for schools. Our mandate is simple ‘Catch them young’ We share the same vision as the ET Radebe Foudation we are very happy and delighted to be associated with this foundation.”
DID YOU KNOW?
THE SCHOOLS DRAW FOR THE TOURNEY IS AS FOLLOWS.
Rutasetjaba vs Madibane
Madiba Comprehensive vs Letlhabile
Seanamarena vs Sir Pierre van Ryneveld
Diepdale vs Fons
Individual accolades at the end of the day will be sponsored by some of the foundation partners.
