Region E youngsters receive bursary boost from Maimane Alex Development Foundation
ALEXANDRA – The foundation has been giving bursaries to local youngsters for 10 years.
In the past, sports was known as a hobby with an ability to unite people, keeping those participating in it fit and healthy. Even though it continues to play that role society, today sport is considered a career that pays more than just a job.
This was recently evident when more than 20 youngsters from Alexandra and surrounding areas who participated in the 2019 Map Games soccer tournament earned themselves bursaries to study a qualification of their choice at Boston College this year.
The Maimane Alex Development Foundation, in partnership with Boston College, has been helping local youngsters who come from poor families to further their studies after completing matric through their bursary initiative. Chairperson of the Maimane Alex Development Foundation, Maimane Phiri said they were aware that not all those who participate in the tournament will become professional sportsmen and that is why they encourage youngsters not to neglect their education. “We’ve been giving bursaries to local youngsters for 10 years now and today we have graduates who are breadwinners that were produced by this initiative,” Phiri said.
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“Not every one of the youngsters who participate in our annual tournament will become a future sportsman, play for Bafana Bafana or go overseas. Some of them will go into the corporate world and we must help equip them to get proper education and proper skills to meet the standard through education. We always encourage youngsters to strike a balance between books and sport.”
Syabonga Buthelezi who plays for Alex Gunners said he was grateful that his talent on the soccer field has helped him secure a bursary. “I am really thankful to the foundation for giving me this rare opportunity to study at the respected tertiary institution. I am going to do marketing and I’ve already registered with them. I would like to encourage others to give their best in both sports and academic life,” Buthelezi said.
