Kicking it with Quinton
The pupils were thrilled to see Fortune, who thanked Kansai Plascon not only for painting the school, but also the hearts and minds of the pupils.
A local paint manufacturer took hands with an international soccer star to help inspire a few hopefuls and also liven up their surrounds.
Kansai Plascon representatives and Quinton Fortune, former Manchester United and Bafana Bafana player, visited Randfontein Secondary School to run a training clinic with the school’s soccer team, and to motivate and inspire the school’s pupils to seek to excel in their studies, and to make the right life choices.
Kansai Paint, Kansai Plascon’s parent company, is the official paint partner of Manchester United, and is committed to supporting and improving education. As part of Kansai’s corporate social investment programme, the company chose to assist the school by painting and renovating the buildings, and supporting the school’s soccer team. The school is located in a disadvantaged area and its students battle with social issues.
Winston Morris, the school’s principal, opened the proceedings by stating that the best indicator of a school’s achievements is their performance academically and on the sports field. He was joined by Mike van Harmelen, Plascon Marketing Executive.
The pupils were thrilled to see Fortune, who thanked Kansai Plascon not only for painting the school, but also the hearts and minds of the pupils. He emphasised that success requires hard work and sacrifice, and relayed his personal story of growing up on the Cape Flats. He said he could relate to the challenges the pupils experience on a daily basis, and that he is living proof that anyone can make a success of their life. Fortune reiterated that success requires dedication and commitment, and that there always will be challenges, but the key is to never give up.
Fortune spent some time among the pupils, shaking their hands and sharing a friendly hug, and presented Principal Morris with an autographed Manchester United jersey.
Fortune was given the opportunity to showcase the skills for which he has become a legend, and a few pupils were invited to join him on the stage to showcase their ball skills, and were rewarded with autographed soccer balls.
Fortune then spent time sharing tips with the soccer team during a training clinic, and also planted a tree in the school’s vegetable garden as a symbol of sustainability.
“Kansai would like to thank our partner, Manchester United for their generous donation to the school and for the time Quinton spent with the children,” said Trudi McCracken, Executive Director of Kansai Plascon.
