I must say I have many academic, social and sporting certificates or medals from high school and tertiary  and it never changed my life or feel good about myself. Before I will try to display them on my room wall to feel good and be motivated every time I see them, I must say it was just external and past achievement as time goes on. I never felt any motivation to do better or be inspired.  Today, the 2nd of August 2012, I was invited for lunch by our leader Roelf Meyer and to my surprise…

What a weekend we are coming from (from the 27th-29th of July) whereby we saw 45 youth from N'waritsi village/Rietfontein Village, Jane Furse site, visiting Johannesburg and Ayanda Mbatha from Umlazi visiting Jozi centre, Katlehong and Evaton North site. The Jane Furse youth consisted of ladies team (nebo stars FC), Boys U/17 and U/15. They played Swallows ladies team on Saturday and Wits ladies team and boys U/17 accompanying by Kadiela and Whizzi Booi. On saturday it was time to hang out…

Personally the last three weeks, after reflecting more and more about leadership, mentorship and self image,  I have been reflecting back and forth concerning the issue of comparison. I am here daily trying to learn from others and share but at the end of the day I simply see many of us being victims of set ups of comparing ourselves to the others and fill good about it and think we have reached our goals or we are better or more clever or trying to make someone feel low or stupid etc.…

Our friends in Convergence Partners bought two sets of kit for Maganagobuswa Young Killers FC and Libangeni Montana FC. The two teams are good friends with Convergence Partners staff and they communicate and visit each other. And this is just a good example of individuals who came out from their shells and become friends. Convergence Partners is in Sandton and Maganagobuswa and Libangeni is in a impoverished rural site in Siyabuswa. Thank you to sesi Portia, Idan and the crew. …

From the 1st of July until the 4th of July 2012, Laureus Yes (run by incredible Mthokozisi Madonda) invited Schalk and I to hold or rather share on leadership and mentoring and IT training. There were eleven incredible young leaders from different part of SA. And this event was held in Shongweni Game Reserve. I must say instead of us sharing with these young champs, we were taught by them and not vice versa. Their attitude, their drive, insight, coaching skills.... is just beyond major. We…

Today while working on my admin work in Mutare site, I just had a Skype call from one of my best friends from Mozambique Americo Chauque. Only for him to know that I am just across the border in Zim. He then said he will be crossing the border to catch up. Networking either Facebook, Skype, youthzones website, emails, texts, just solves problems.…

I might be thinking what I would have done with R1800 or how often do I spent that not realizing where it went to. How often to others it looks like small amount or even to think of it. I also often say there is something better beyond money or money can't buy happiness etc. But this time 60 youth from Stoffel Park Informal settlement in Mamelodi hired a bus to visit their peers in Kameeldrift where there was a massive exchange tournament and training while having fun. The whole trip cost…

Some says states that sometimes we quit when we are close to the victory. Others states that we can't built Rome in one day. Others states whatever you think others should do in a particular period, will you also do it if it was you. The list goes on and on and these are just quotes which I am not going to dwell on them but I will be speaking more on my  personal reflection on patience which has affected me recently. Recently I have been witnessing how lack of patience can mess up things and…

Nothing could replace the beautiful atmosphere and the coming together of all the youth from different sites hanging out together, sharing, learning, laughing, dancing, singing .... . The scene was just incredible. The youth, boys ad girls from Soweto, Mabopane, Katlehong, Evaton North participated in the Football and netball tournament which was held in Qedelizwe High School in Evaton North. The tournament was held on the 15th of April 2012, and it was delayed about 3 hrs but everything…

After seven months of patience and learning from each other, the ABI Umlazi Juventus FC were ready to interact and share with other youth around SA. On Friday, the 13th of April 2012, Juventus FC visited Dangerous Darkies FC in Intabazwe informal settlement in Harrismith. The main aim of the exchange was learning from each other and training in terms of how each team operate and how they become successful, not only in the football field but in life generally. It could being a chef like Mzi…

As we always say patience and perseverance is the way forward. Normally when one sow a seed or plant fruit tree doesn't automatically expect to get the results or fruits at the same time. It takes time to water the plant, to feed with the right nutrients everyday. If one feed the plant once in a while it automatically wilt and dies. Then it automatically involves follow-up and taking responsibility. Lately I have been witnessing through the assistance and patience of ABI, now the fruits are…

Not only that Sipho is humble, ever laughing, friendly, working for ABI-KZN and successful, he is also a local lad from Umlazi who was raised in a humble beginnings at D-Section in Umlazi and attended Primary and High schools in Umlazi. He is definitely inspiration to everyone of Juventus FC including myself. On the 6th of Jan 2012, Sipho joined Simon and Doc during the training session of Juventus FC at Nselele Primary School and only to know after training when he said is his first time to…

It is more than fulfilling to hear most lads or our friends on sites getting employed. I am receiving emails and sms'es from the likes of  Sipho Mathonsi of Nkomazi who will be working for big compamy CMR cme Jan 2012, Johnny Mahleza of Somerset East now working in Port Elizabeth, Dudu Koba of SE who now works in Cradock as Police Official, Nkosi of HB who is now working as a chief librarian in Lwandle Township, Raymond Mashanya who is now working for Lovelife, Nompendulo Mpila of Mamelodi…

Two young lads,…

On the 24th of November the ABI staff went for site visit in Freedom Park, Soweto. Even though it was raining earlier and muddy it couldn't stop any of the youth to come and train. The ABI staff (mostly ladies who I think when applying for their work, one of the requirements was beauty) mingled with the local youth boys and girls. They went to play netball game with the Girls Netball team and I must say it was great fun and everyone looked equal and there were jokes made. And it was…

I could not believe what I was hearing when I heard that one of my youth friend in Mabopane Youthzone site is going to Dubai for two years as a chef this weekend. This lad comes from humble beginnings and he is just like any boy in the community. What is stunning about Harold Mantshoane is that he hangs around with other boys and he is just like any normal boy in Mabopane. While I was coaching the teams yesterday I spoke about him and how possible is anything if you put your mind and heart…

On the 28th of September 2011, ABI  has given five a side soccer field to Mabopane Zebra Force FC at N-section and the community was delighted about that. I want to send my gratitude to ABI on behalf of our family members in Mabopane who will, with no doubt, benefit from this magnificent field. And is in the right spot where the there is orphanage and soccer field where female and male soccer teams train, juniors and seniors. It is great! ABI keep doing the good work.…