It was a fun filled day for scores of Ward 49 pupils southwest of Johannesburg as they participated in the first day of the school holiday programme at the Braamfischerville Multipurpose Centre on Tuesday, 28 March 2023. The first of the four-day quarterly programme hosted by the Sports and Recreation Directorate saw a number of children from the community engaged in various sporting activities and games as they are currently on school break. The initiative is aimed at keeping school children occupied and away from the streets where they may be at risk of falling into social ills.

​Thato Motsitsi from the regional Sports and Recreation department said it is their mandate to involve children in such activities.

“As schools are closed for two weeks, children are found sitting in the streets not having much to do, so it is our duty to take advantage of such a situation and take children to participate in different sporting and recreational activities,” said Motsitsi.

More than a hundred kids participated during the two hours allocated to games such as volleyball, soccer, cricket, and other codes.

Local football coach Malcom Jojela who is a champion for youth development in the community praises these municipal programmes for creating unity among children.

“These activities strengthen interaction between the youngsters as they get to know each other and encourage teamwork,” Jojela said.

He has been passionately working with the youth in the area for many years as he believes in fighting social ills through sports.

Fourteen-year-old soccer player, Faith Kupa was mostly excited about mingling with his peers as he also hopes to play professionally.

“I enjoy that I’m having fun with other kids my age. Soccer and chess take most of my time and I hope to one day play it professionally,” said the grade 9 pupil.

More areas in the region such as Tshepisong, Doornkop and Fleurhof are next in line in the upcoming three days as the programme continues.

Written by Pamela Sibiya

29/03/2023