Ekurhuleni youth unite through sport, music and dance
"We wanted to do that before healing people through music and dance," Bam said.
Ekurhuleni Young Ambitious (EYA) hosted its second annual Heritage Day event at the Marathon Informal Settlement Sports Ground on September 25.
The event started in the morning with local soccer teams locking horns in a friendly match designed strategically to draw the youth in numbers.
Participating coaches were awarded certificates of appreciation by the NPO and the Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, recognising them as key contributors to goodwill in the community.
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Following the match was the official opening of the event, where various musical groups showcased their talents, performing traditional music and dance.
EYA founder Njabulo Bam said the event was blessed with participating groups from the Delport, Marathon, and Dukathole informal settlements, and that they had partnered with the City of Ekurhuleni (CoE) Office of the Speaker.
“The Speaker attended the event, and members from our partner organisations also came through, though not all could make it as the event was held on a Friday during working hours,” said Bam.
Bam described the event as a success, adding that the soccer match was a spectacle to watch, with the U15 teams showcasing great ability.
He noted that the certificates aimed to motivate recipients and encourage them to continue their good work.
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Bam explained that the event also honoured women killed across the City of Ekurhuleni by holding a moment of silence and a prayer for safety across the region.
“We wanted to do that before healing people through music and dance,” Bam said.
“We also had gwijo groups, which made the event much bigger than last year. We are seeing real growth, as well as hunger from local young talents who want exposure.”
He added that EYA groups have begun gaining exposure outside Germiston, receiving recent invitations to markets in Kempton Park and Sky City.
“We are training our youth, but it is important to be invited to perform elsewhere so we can showcase our talent. We are also looking forward to an educational tour at the OR Tambo International Airport,” said Bam.
