The Fifa World Cup 2026 in North America may be hogging the headlines, but the Northern Free State town of Parys had its fair share of footballing superstars parading around last week.

One hundred boys and girls from eight schools in the region descended on the Fezile Dabi Stadium in the township of Tumahole on June 25 for a day of football, preceded by an educational segment about Science, Technology, Engineering and Manufacturing (STEM).

The educational football clinic was hosted by the power construction company Tractionel Holdings and Booth Education & Sports Africa (Booth Africa).

There was already a buzz in the air given that Bafana Bafana had beaten South Korea that morning to qualify for the Round of 32, and that buzz hit fever pitch when former national team captain Matthew Booth emerged and introduced some of his legendary friends: ex-Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Moeneeb ‘Slimkat’ Josephs, former Mamelodi Sundowns defender Tebogo Langerman, ex-Kaizer Chiefs playmaker Jabulani ‘S-curl’ Mendu, and Lucky Qaba of Wits University and Sundowns fame.

Two of Parys’ finest, ex-Bloemfontein Celtic defender and Bafana international Tumelo Nhlapo, and former Jomo Cosmos midfielder and SA youth international Zolile Motha, added some local flavour to proceedings.

Tractionel Chief Executive Officer. Neresh Pather. explained the thinking behind the partnership: “As a business, we believe that sport and business have a role to play together. When you can combine fun with something serious, it always has a greater impact”

“By getting school kids from the soccer fraternity involved, we hope to show them that they can have fun on the pitch while also aspiring to a career. You only have a certain period within which to be a professional athlete.”

“We believe that having a firm educational base allows you to live a balanced and fulfilled life, and hopefully plow those successes back into your community and family.”

While football was the obvious drawcard, there was also a strong emphasis placed on the educational side of things, with various Tractionel employees sharing their journeys, explaining potential career paths, and stressing the importance of planning for the future.

Tractionel is involved in the Sediba Project in Parys, a key initiative that will play an instrumental role in the electrification of the District.

“It’s absolutely imperative to educate the children about this project and the impact it will have on their lives,” said Bongani Mthombeni, Co-Founder and Director of Booth Africa.

“It puts a spotlight on science, technology, engineering, manufacturing, as well as the power business.”
“As part of that educational segment, we spent time with the kids telling them about how they can become engineers, quantity surveyors, environmentalists, contractors, etc.

“A lot of children from such communities come from impoverished backgrounds where they do not believe that they themselves can become that great engineer one day.”

“It is through companies like Tractionel that have bursaries and development programmes for these children that they get these opportunities.”

“So there must be an educational segment. You are sowing seeds of greatness at the grassroots so that they themselves know that there is a way.” But, ultimately, the biggest smiles were reserved for the football field.

Fully kitted out from head to toe, the children spent two hours under the tutelage of some of the country’s top professionals, going through basic drills but also getting some specialised training for the more ‘experienced’ players harbouring ambitions of following in the legends’ footsteps.

“What’s great about this is the fact that I didn’t have this growing up,” Mendu explained.

“When you are being taught by someone who walked the path that you want to walk, who did what you want to do, and has achieved your dreams, it’s very important.”

“Football is something else. I’m emotional because I met everyone through this game,” Mendu said.

” I met all my friends through this game. It’s an amazing game to be involved in. It’s even better playing it because you can change lives, go all over the world, and meet wonderful people.”

“You can do a lot, but you need to be taught discipline, the fundamentals of the game, and the rules of the game — the how, when, why, and where. And I think we’re on the right track with Booth Africa,” he said.