Daveyton talent scout out to make a difference
Mbotshana also started a girls’ team to help in the fight against teenage pregnancy.
Forget Piet de Visser, an influential football scout credited for discovering Ronaldo, Kevin de Bruyne and Neymar because Daveyton has its own super scout, and he’s willing to change Vutha, one footballer at a time.
Zukile Mbotshane has been scouting for 13 years. With decades of experience in management and social development, the Emajuteni resident said he’s driven by Nelson Mandela’s words that sport has the power to change the world.
“I’m doing this to give young people an opportunity through sport. I’m passionate. I have extensive football knowledge. I want to use this knowledge to help youngsters in the community to play professionally.”
He started the East Rand Excellence Soccer Academy (ERESA) five years ago after seeing the abundance of talent that was going to waste because of substance abuse.
The academy has 126 players who play in different divisions. They will take part in the 2022 season of the Gauteng Development League.
Mbotshana also started a girls’ team to help in the fight against teenage pregnancy.
“While doing our research, we saw that teenage pregnancy numbers were too high in Gauteng. We then decided that consistent participation in a football programme will contribute to bringing down the numbers.”
Like in most townships, high numbers of substance abuse plague Daveyton. Mbotshana said witnessing young people throw away their future left him with no choice but to take a stand.
“The inaction from powerful voices in the community pushed me. I couldn’t take it anymore. These boys and girls are the future of this country. We are starting with one footballer at a time. If we could see one join a professional team, then we are on the right track.”
He explained he wants to change the perception created by the community’s household names such as Jabu Mahlangu and Junior Khanye that the youths of Daveyton lack discipline.
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“In the early millennium, Daveyton was the go-to place for PSL teams looking for talented young players. We unearthed talented players that raised the bar in the country.
“But because of their off-field behaviour, the image of our community was tainted. Not only did they hurt their careers, but they also took away opportunities from those who came after them. No scout wants to come here anymore. I want to change that.”
Mbotshana added that through his academy, he wants Daveyton to be known as a hub of excellence.
“I want to expose these talented young footballers to professional football from an early age. We have so much talent and the boys need someone to create opportunities for them.”
A member of Rotary International, Mbotshana said Rotary’s mission to connect with people and make a difference in their lives inspired him to play his part in social development.
“I’m doing this work because of my passion for sport. I’m also passionate about social development. The socio-economic challenges faced by the youth in our community made me stand up and do something positive.”
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