Helen Zille joins U19 Riverside View Youth tournament as future voters take the field
Residents marked Youth Day with a community football tournament showcasing local talent and promoting civic participation, while DA mayoral candidate Helen Zille reminded young people that ‘your vote is power’ and can help shape the country's future.
Youth Day was celebrated on the football field in Riverside View as young players, community members, coaches, and local leaders gathered for an U19 football tournament aimed at promoting youth development and community participation.
Held at the Riverside View Ext 35 grounds on June 16, the tournament featured four local teams competing in a top-four knockout format. The event was organised by Ward 96 DA committee Thabang Mowasen and Mautla Maela, who said the initiative was designed to use sport as a platform to engage young people and encourage active citizenship.
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“We planned to organise this tournament for the U19 youth so that we can encourage them to register to vote. Most young people do not see the importance of voting. We want to show them that every vote counts and that they can have a voice in changing the status quo.”
According to Maela, all participating teams came from the local community, ensuring the tournament showcased home-grown talent while fostering community pride.
Tournament head coach Mulalo Nevondo said keeping the event local was a key objective.
“We asked for four teams from Riverside because we wanted to promote local boys,” he said.
The tournament saw Riverside Parma FC defeat Diepriver Academy 1-0 in the opening semi-final, while Stars of Riverside FC overcame Riverside View Football Academy 2–1 to book their place in the final.
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The event also drew the attendance of DA mayoral candidate Helen Zille, who addressed participants and reflected on the significance of Youth Day and the importance of young people using their democratic rights.
Zille recalled covering the events of June 16, 1976, as a journalist and encouraged young people to appreciate the democratic rights won through the sacrifices of previous generations.
“The young kids of Soweto didn’t have any other choice but to mobilise because they didn’t have a vote.
“The big change today is that people do have a vote, and your vote is power,” she said.
She encouraged young people to play an active role in shaping the country’s future through elections.
“You can change your government through the vote. You can change the policy direction of the country through the vote.”
For the final results on the youth tournament, check out the Fourways Review next week, on June 23.
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