Former soccer player makes a difference in his community

Determined former professional soccer player Hebert ‘Puncho’ Morajane is on a mission to change the lives of children in the Kempton Park area.

Morajane was born and bred in Pimville, Soweto, but relocated to Kempton Park in 2015.

The 48-year-old started the soccer youth initiative in 2015, focusing on developing the soccer talent of children from Poplar Street and the Kempton area between the ages of four and 14 on Saturdays at 7am in summer and 8am in winter.

He recognised that the children in this area had nothing to do on weekends besides potentially getting involved in mischief.

The ex-soccer player started the team to get children to do something positive, and since he has the skills and background of soccer, he felt the need to contribute something to the children’s lives.

Despite not having a field to practice on, they still manage to practice at the local park on Poplar Street, even though it is not well equipped.

“I realised that if children are not given things to occupy their free time with, it will spell trouble. Volunteering in one’s local area, for whatever amount of time possible, is very important and worthwhile,” said Morajane.

The result has proven to be an effective tool in keeping the children from falling into a cycle of anti-social behaviour, violence, crime and drug use.

“When parents see the children playing, they want their own children to join. So we are expanding rapidly,” said Morajane.

Morajane, who holds an honours degree in TV and Media Studies from the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), works as a football consultant for international sport management agency Forwardzone based in Hyde Park.

The company has been donating training equipment, such as bibs, soccer balls, shin pads, shorts, socks, jerseys and petty cash to buy snacks for the children.

Morajane’s introduction to soccer was by kicking around a ball made of plastic bags and old socks back home in Pimville. For him and his friends it was just a fun game, not something he ever imagined making a living from.

“I always wanted to play professionally, but I didn’t really think it was possible.

“I grew up as a talented child academically and had people who noticed the gift of playing soccer in me. They encouraged me to venture into the professional level, but because opportunities were not as much then, I couldn’t reach my full potential of playing overseas,” said Morajane.

eKasi is a place where many people feel committing a crime is a necessity to put food on the table. However, his mother made sure he stayed away from trouble, and playing soccer was an escape from bad things.

He used to be a professional soccer player, and with his name on the tongues of the Pimville community, the crowd was even more excited than usual to see him in action.

He played for his primary school and his local club, where he stood out at an early age. Puncho formed his own team, Fast Xi, during his boarding school days. They were successful and won trophies.

In 1990, he joined Wattville Pirates FC, which played in the former National Professional Soccer League (NPSL), now known as the National First Division, where he made a name for himself. But this was short-lived as he played only a few matches for the Benoni giants before he was scouted by agents to play for Manchester City overseas.

Due to an injury while he was playing for Wits in 1994, he was forced to retire, ending his professional soccer playing career.

“Taking part in extra activities, whether it’s a dance class or a swim team, gives children a chance not only to be physically active but also to learn teamwork and grow more resilient. Parents should invest more in their children’s talent or interests,” said Morajane.

If you realise your child has an interest in soccer or you would like to make a donation, contact Morajane on 071 199 7858.