My King K3 takes kasi football players to the world

To break the cycle of poverty and provide opportunities for young football players from townships to pursue their dreams, Mpho ‘Blanka’ Botha started the My King K3 programme in 2022, a revolutionary initiative aimed at taking local talent from the streets to the world stage.

Botha was born in Kempton Park and moved to Alexandra in 2009 after his mother passed away and he knows the challenges faced by young people growing up in disadvantaged communities.

Despite the odds, he has always been passionate about football and has dedicated his life to making a positive impact in the lives of others.

Botha said, “My King K3 programme is not just about playing football; it’s about empowering young people and giving them a chance to break free from the cycle of poverty, I believe that every child deserves an opportunity to chase their dreams and I am committed to making that happen.”

Botha said the programme is designed to identify and develop talented football players from townships, providing them with training, mentorship, and guidance to help them achieve their goals of making it to play for international clubs.

“This initiative aims to bridge the gap between talent and opportunity, enabling young players to realise their dreams of playing professional football.”

The programme has already made significant strides, with some talented players having secured trials with the top club Saint George in the USA.

“I have already taken three boys to play for one of the top-tier clubs, Saint George in the USA. Now, I am in preparation for taking 20 players to play for the Winterveld Club in Europe, Switzerland. It’s an incredible feeling knowing that these young boys are representing South Africa and I’m excited to see what the future holds for these young players,” Botha said.

He added that he has no specific procedure that he follows when he chooses which players to take overseas, he just scouts during tournaments and then selects those who have the potential to play for international clubs.

Botha said as he looks to the future, he remains committed to his vision of taking local talent from townships to the world stage.

“My King K3 is not just talking about football but about changing the lives of young people. Giving these young people a chance to make a difference in their communities, and ensuring that their dreams of playing for big teams outside the country come true.”

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