Makhura hopes soccer games bring good relations between locals and foreigners
JOBURG – David Makhura has launched the Premier's Social Cohesion Games with the intention to unite all Gauteng residents against racism, xenophobia and all forms of prejudice.
In light of the recent tension between foreigners and some South African in parts of the province, Gauteng Premier David Makhura launched the Premier’s Social Cohesion Games and said he hopes the games will improve relations between South Africans and foreigners,
“These games also talk about a lot of things, considering our past as South Africans, how apartheid blemished our nation and how we had to seek assistance from other African countries for us to defeat the previous regime,” Makhura said.
Local soccer legends like Jomo Sono, Disco Makua, Doctor Khumalo, Brian Baloyi, Kennedy Makara, Thapelo Liau and Portia Modise have been roped in and those from fellow African countries who are residents in Gauteng such as William Okpara, Roger Fetumba, Kalusha Bywala, Timothy Bathabire, Innocent Chikoya, and Patrick Maverick will play a part in these games.
Premier David Makhura with members of the African diaspora and personalities from the football fraternity. Photo: Supplied.
The tournament comprises social seven-a-side football games, which will see former footballers and players over the age of 35 playing qualifying games in all five corridors of the province. Given the theme of social cohesion, all regions will include a national team from various African Countries as well as a team made up of different religions and nationalities that constitute the rainbow society of Gauteng.
The premier said it is known fact that football is a common denominator in Gauteng, on the continent and the world over. “It transcends all differences and serves to remind us that we have a lot more in common than that which divides us. By combining different nationalities in one provincial tournament, we can, in a small but significant manner, assist in unifying our province.
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Makhura said he believes that sport can transcend race, politics and unite a country. “South Africa experienced this feeling of solidarity in 1995 when the Springboks won the Rugby World Cup; in 1996 with Bafana Bafana winning the African Cup of Nations; and, again, when the country hosted the 2010 Fifa World Cup.”
He urged Gauteng residents to strive to use the sports plan to increase social cohesion and provide much-needed opportunities for engagement in community life, foster healthy lifestyles as well as reducing conflict and criminal behaviour through education and sport.
The games will be played in eight centres across Gauteng, including Ekurhuleni, Johannesburg, Tshwane, West Rand and Sedibeng, in which 768 players from different African countries and 64 teams are involved. The final will be played on 5 March.
