After-school sport opening doors
Ukhanyo and Western Province under-12 rugby flyhalf Siyabuswa Siyo has been awarded a high school scholarship at Wynberg Boys’ High School. Siyabuswa is an amazing kid and has played for the WP under-12 team for two years. He is both academically gifted, an athlete and a brilliant rugby player.
Kwanele Lunga, Grade 6 Ukhanyo educator and coach, writes: “I know Masi High would have loved to have him next year, however the scholarship is a great opportunity for him. He will experience a different environment [boarding school], and Wynberg is one of the best Model C schools.”
“Sport has been opening doors for our kids. I would like to thank Vince and MasiSports for affording our kids so many wonderful opportunities to step out into the bigger world. We applaud the coaches who have coached him from the tender age of nine years, and the educators who play such a huge role in shaping the lives of all our learners.”
“We are all super proud of him and wish him all the best.”
Siyabuswa follows in the footsteps of many talented sportspeople scouted from underprivileged schools. It is so unfortunate that they leave the township to seek wider and greater opportunities. Only when the education system is aligned fully to our diverse nation will that change.
For a Business Day article I wrote, SA cricket captain Temba Bavuma shared this with me: “Learning on the streets of Langa playing on pot-holed tarred roads against my two elder and taller brothers and their friends toughened me mentally. My time at SACS and St Davids gave me the essential cricket ethos and deeper understanding of the nuances of the game. They all made my rise to become a Protea captain possible.”
Both these examples illustrate the necessity for the after-school sports and cultural activities in ALL schools, not a mere 6% as is now the case in South Africa.
Masicorp, The Atlas Foundation and MasiSports are working hard to ensure in the future these talented Ukhanyo scholars will remain in our Masi schools. Grassroots holistic education is a must for positive generational change, and these schools need government, business, organisational, NPO and community support to achieve this.