Rabie Ridge Youth celebrate Ivan May
RABIE RIDGE - Rabie Ridge Youth House has launched an annual sports and cultural event to commemorate the life and times of Ivan May.
May, who died in 2010, was a stalwart for youth sports activation, especially soccer, and was an active member of the sports fraternity in Rabie Ridge.
His family was present on 31 May when the youth house honoured him at the Rabie Ridge community hall. Choirs, poetry, theatre productions and dancing were provided by the youngsters.
Chemi Zungu, the youth house’s president, said the day was about awareness.
“As the youth house, we’ve adopted his vision for this community,” he said.
Zungu said he was hoping this annual event would reach the ears of Johannesburg Mayor, Parks Tau.
“We want him to change the name of the community stadium to Ivan May Stadium because of the work he did.”
Zungu also said the youth house was planning to start an annual soccer tournament called the Ivan May charity cup, “What makes it even more special is that it will coincide with the May month every year.
“The Midrand Local Football Association has supported us greatly in this regard. We would like for Premier David Makhura to also lend a hand in terms of government support.”
Zungu’s vision is supported by the May family.
“This is a momentous occasion that vindicates my father’s lifetime work,” said eldest son, George.
“He lived his life for sport, and we are hoping that this will help bring back the spirit of soccer within the community.”
May’s son said he felt that the Rabie Ridge youth were underrated.
“We have very talented youngsters. As a family we are looking forward to watching them perform as they honour my father,” he said.
“His greatest vision was to see girls and boys off the streets, and being active [members of their community.]”
A choir called Youth Against Drug Abuse, Yada, is living that vision.
“This is quite a young project that we started in April this year. We are a group of unemployed youth trying to get away from all the substance abuse that unemployment can lead one into,” a member said.
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