The teams at the weekend’s event
The MCC Foundation, MasiSports and the Catch Trust (previously the Gary Kirsten Academy) had a wonderful weekend together. All our organisations believe in the need for opportunities for all and that sport, lifeskills and education are the essential ingredients to live fulfilled lives. There is such an easy meeting of minds.
Sarah Fane OBE, CEO of the MCC Foundation, spent 20 years in Afghanistan ensuring that close to 500 000 children received assistance with health, education and of course cricket. She is a giant in Afghanistan.
Gender equality is central to the values of our organisations. The MCC launched the Women’s Empowerment Program through the Catch Trust. Anyone can join, so please sign up on bit.ly/RegisterWEP.
There was a girls festival over the weekend at the Chris Hani Secondary school in Khayelitsha, the home of the newly named Catch Trust. Four T15 matches were played on the only astro cricket field in any underprivileged area, constructed by Gary Kirsten’s organisation.
Masiphumelele/Langa, Mitchells Plain and two Khayelitsha teams competed. The top Khayelitsha team won convincingly. The Masi/Langa team had two other monumental games – one won on the last ball and the other a tie! The girls’ cricket was of a high standard and it was fun and engaging. It is a start of things to come – more integration between these and other communities.
Just over five years ago the CEO of the MCC, Derek Brewer, flew from the UK to launch MasiSports. Masicorp with the MCC started the facilities build by erecting three cricket nets. There were no other fields then – just a veld of dongas and rubbish.
This week Sarah, Angus Berry (MCC Head of Ops) and James Bailey (MCC Head of Comms) visited the schools in Masiphumelele.
The MCC Foundation trio were shown the new development of the High School, the sports astrofield plans as well as the temporary housing on the two community soccer fields.
The trip through the township ended with a visit to Ukhanyo, the oasis in Masiphumelele. It was wonderful seeing the visitors’ reactions to this school. They were amazed by Ukhanyo Primary. Masicorp’s English and Maths hubs were on show, as was sport and other activities. The school shone as always, from the principal through to the children.
MasiSports is privileged to be part of the school.
Sarah Fane OBE, CEO of the MCC Foundation, visited Masi this week
