OFFICIAL PUBLICATION
Finance and Economic Development PROVINCE OF KWAZULU-NATAL
Office of the MEC
WORLD CLASS SPORTING ACADEMY AT WILLOWFOUNTAIN, PIETERMARITZBURG
From left to right: School Principal, Mr. Eric Kwanini, School Teacher, Mr. Mduduzi Madlala, National Lottery Distribution Fund representative, Mr. Aleck Skhosana, Dr. May Mashego and MEC for Finance and Economic Development, Dr. Zweli Mkhize during the handover of the R500 000 cheque to Ikusaselihle Sports Academy. housands of sport-loving youth in KwaZulu-Natal stand to benefit from the soon-to-be constructed worldclass academy in the peri-urban Willowfountain, outside Pietermaritzburg. The construction, due to start before the end of this year, 2008 was made possible with the donation of R500 000 by the National Lottery Distribution Fund, which will contribute towards the first phase of the construction at Ikusaselihle High School. MEC for Finance and Economic Development and Chairman of the 2010 Soccer World Cup Political Oversight Committee, Dr Zweli Mkhize was invited at the official handing-over of the sponsorship which was accompanied by the sod-turning ceremony. The event was also attended by members of the community and business leaders who pledged more physical and monetary support for the school. The sponsorship is for the building of an academy for sporting excellence in this peri-urban community in the form of a multipurpose centre, catering for various sporting codes. The planned academy is going to benefit not only pupils of Ikusaselihle High School, but all
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talented youth from the province and outside with the intention of developing sporting talent that will help brighten their future. School principal, Eric Nkwanini said construction is to begin this month, adding that there has been support from various other sponsors for the programme. Addressing delegates, Dr Mkhize, who is also the chairman of the 2010 Political Oversight Committee, said the building of the Academy will help many young people realize their sporting talent and use it to better their lives. “The aim is to ensure that young people who will get trained here will be ready for the international stage. You are going to get many more young people waiting in line wanting to get into the academy,” said Dr Mkhize. Dr Mkhize said sport is very important in terms of building national pride and in making people forget the fights of the past. “We want to see this centre guide young people away from the life of crime and drugs,” said Dr Mkhize. Dr Mkhize said he was also very pleased with the progress made by the school, recounting the situation he found the school under when he returned from
exile in the 90s. “There was this big confrontation between some learners and teacher. The learners on one side are saying ‘pass one pass all, with the teachers saying ‘no, it doesn’t work that way’,” said Dr Mkhize. He said the whole community was under a cloud of violence, and the school had a population of 360 learners. But when the community came together to solve the problems, the learner number quickly grew to 750, and is currently over 1000. Dr Mkhize said there is a lot of talent that needs to be unearthed and used for the benefit of the province and country as a whole. The Academy will offer sporting codes such as soccer, volleyball, netball and basket ball. National Lottery Distribution Fund representative, Aleck Skhosana said the Lotto is willing to continue helping, provided the money is used correctly and is accounted for. Wearing the cap of the KZN Sports Academy, Skhosana pledged 2 soccer kits and 44 balls for the school’s Under 14 team. Other pledges came from Gama Classic Funeral, which promised R10 000 in computers
and the establishment and maintenance of the school’s own website; school fees and uniforms for ten learners, and assistance for the school’s gospel choir from Themba Njilo’s Induduzo Funeral
Service. Dr Mkhize’s wife, Dr May Mashego, also pledged a R10 000 donation to the school.
Director of Sports Section in the Department of Education, Miss Nomusa Muthwa, MEC for Finance and Economic Development, Dr. Zweli Mkhize, his wife Dr. May Mashego, School Principal, Mr. Eric Kwanini, Development coach at Mamelodi Sundowns, Mr. Simon Ngomane and School Teacher, Mr. Mduduzi Madlala during the sod-turning ceremony.