#AlexTotalShutdown movement ‘sows seeds of division in the once vibrant and clean township’
ALEXANDRA - The Alex Veterans Football Association (AVFA) was launched on 23 June at the Alexandra Stadium.
The #AlexTotalShutdown movement came under fire at the launch of the Alexandra Veterans Football Association (AVFA) and was accused of sowing seeds of division in the township.
Acting chairperson of AVFA Simon Selepe, who is a former president of the Alexandra Northrand Local Football Association then known as Alexandra Football Association, called on members of AVFA to ‘rise and walk and be united’ to save Alexandra.”Alexandra is burning and we’re all quiet. Let us rise and walk and stand united to defend this township.
Divisive politics is responsible for all this. We’re not going to join these shutdowns but we shall associate ourselves with the shut ups,” Selepe said, recalling the times when he grew up and Alex was vibrant and full of life and clean at the same time.
Turning to the formation of AVFA, Selepe said part of the mission of this organisation will be to defend Alex football with their motto: ‘Forward, we go – backwards never’. Selepe also called on the AVFA members to honour the desire expressed on the need to document the rich history of Alex football, which was formed in 1936 and happens to be the oldest football body in the country.
The veterans have proposed to write a book to document this history and are currently seeking a sponsor to assist them in fulfilling their dream. They hope the book will be of great help to future generations to understand where Alex football comes from. Selepe also appealed for brotherhood within the AVFA. “So we can help each other in times of need. You all came to my wife’s funeral recently but some of you I don’t even know you. I hope and trust AVFA will assist us to socialise, get to know each other better and exchange numbers to keep the line of communication wide open.”
One of the proposed platforms of communication is the opening of a WhatsApp group and there are also proposed six-a-side social games to happen once a week to help fend off illnesses often associated with lifestyle diseases as well as help members to keep fit and healthy.
