| It is now official, the South African chapter of the Aaron Mokoena Foundation is up and running. Initiated by Aaron Mokoena himself, the foundation is aimed at developing the the standard of football in the region.
Prior to the glittering launch at the Emerald Casino in Vanderbijlpark, the aspirant soccer-stars and their coaches converged for a soccer clinic at the Boipatong stadium.
The Boipatong township is the birth-place of the man of the moment and also the SA national team captain, Aaron Mokoena.
'This is where I grew up and I know first-hand how hard life can be for the people here,' says the youngest ever player to represent South Africa.
Speaking at the stadium, executive mayor Mofokeng appreciated the health implications for the initiative.
'A healthy body breeds a healthy mind, and healthy minds will undeniably breed a healthy nation,' says the executive mayor.
He reminded the audience that the country and the municipality had just recently participated in the "Take a child learner to work campaign" where over twenty learners spent three days with the district municipality staff, managers and councillors.
The mayor also drew similarities between the foundation launch and the beginning of the youth month activities in the next four days.
'This event shall help us enter into the youth month with enthusiasm and passion in honouring the youth of Sedibeg like Aaron Mokoena,' says executive mayor Mofokeng.
In a direct address to the national soccer captain, the executive mayor says: 'This is what human beings should do. We are all human because of the existence of others. What you doing now is what we call ploughing back what you have learnt from the people around you.'
After a motivating speech to mainly the young coaches and the aspirant soccer players, coaching began with children from the Boipatong schools; Makapane primary, Tshirela middle and Lebohang secondary schools participating.
Soon after the soccer clinic, the entire entourage comprising the executive mayor Mofokeng, soccer coaches and the staff from the Aaron Mokoena Foundation heeded for the big launch at the Emerald casino.
Blessed by the presents of the two Gauteng MECs hailing from the Sedibeng region; Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko for agriculture and environmental affairs as well as Nelisiwe Mbatha-Mthimkulu of sports, arts, culture and recreation the official launch was preceded by a press conference addressed by Aaron Mokoena, mayor Mahole Mofokeng as well as acting municipal-manager Yunus Chamda.
Soon after the press conference, the launch began with an address by the executive mayor Mofokeng. He reiterated his earlier remarks at the Boipatong stadium and added that the launch comes just a few days before the start of the Fifa Confederation and World Cup soccer games.
Citing the municipality's developmental plans, mayor Mofokeng added that the foundation launch shall help enhance the municipality's broad developmental agenda.
Also speaking at the event, MEC Mbatha Mthimkulu compared Aaron Mokoena's achievement with that of Sedibeng's Beijing olympian Khotso Mokoena (not ralated to Aaron) who won a medal at the recent Olympic games in Beijing.
She warned that South Africans should welcome and be friendly to the foreign visitors coming for the international soccer events.
Earlier the CEO of the Emerald Casino, Martin Rice expressed his appreciation for the initiative, which has even attracted sponsorship support from his company.
A charity auction ensued just before a vote of thanks by the Sedibeng and now recently elected Gauteng Sports and Council president, Bennet Mosebi. |
