Former star coaches aspiring footballers
Meanwhile, Lang said the foundation has an agreement with the Department of Education where it visits high schools and shares the message of young, impressionable children needing to have role models.
Trellidor Margate hosted a soccer clinic in partnership with the Siyabonga Nomvethe Foundation at Mbambi High outside of Margate last Friday.
The owner of Trellidor Margate, Milton Lang, said the idea of the soccer clinic came about after he saw an article in the Fever about a local soccer academy that was looking for sponsorship to send a player to Portugal.
He said they then reached out to the owner of the academy, Mike Sima.
Lang said they then decided to host a soccer clinic on February 28.
“I then spoke to my contacts in Durban and Johannesburg. One of my contacts is Siyabonga Nomvethe, a former SA soccer player and an ambassador for Trellidor,” he said.
He explained that the Siyabonga Nomvethe Foundation was dedicated to fostering the talents of schoolboys and girls in KwaZulu-Natal through sports, particularly football and netball.
According to the legendary soccer star, the vision was to provide a platform for young athletes to thrive, develop their skills, and pursue their passion for sports.
“With a keen focus on nurturing talent at the grassroots level, our mission is to create opportunities for growth, empowerment, and community engagement.
The Siyabonga Nomvethe Foundation believes in the transformative power of sports and its ability to instil valuable life lessons, inspire confidence, and build a brighter future for young individuals. By investing in the development of young athletes, we strive to empower them to reach their full potential both on and off the field,” said Nomvethe.
Meanwhile, Lang said the foundation has an agreement with the Department of Education where it visits high schools and shares the message of young, impressionable children needing to have role models.
He said Nomvethe shared his life story, including the teams he played for and the countries he has visited in Europe.
“It was amazing because the children were so quiet while listening to every single word he was saying. The clinic had a massive impact on the lives of the children. He altered their minds by telling them what is possible as he is living proof. Mbambi High School was one of the few schools Nomvethe conducted his clinics at. We were fortunate to host him,” said Lang.
He added that Nomvethe brought his soccer equipment to train with the learners for an hour.
He showed them different skills and ways to play the game.
Lang added that what made the event more special was that Nomvethe brought his wife, son and daughter with him.
“The main reason for doing this was to show children that there is life outside of the township. There is something to aspire to; you just have to apply your mind. You do not have to be a soccer player, you can be a referee, a linesman, or a coach. If football is your passion, there are opportunities around that one can work towards. It was a privilege for Trellidor to provide this opportunity,” said Lang.
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