The ever-flourishing Rural Rugby Development Programme, formerly the Daveyton Rugby Development Programme, initiated in the township through a partnership by St Dunstan’s College and the Daveyton Soccer Academy, in February, last year, has not only made a difference in the lives of young rugby players, but also in the lives of the coaches who are key role-players in the organic growth of this grassroots project.
Meet Lungile Mbanjwa (26), a security guard at St Dunstan’s College, who has adopted the school’s ethos, “I Serve”, which strives to provide inspiration for the school community to develop an attitude of servant leadership in their communities, by becoming a rugby coach through the programme.
Jaco Coetzer, head of rugby at St Dunstan’s College and project manager of the Rural Rugby Development Programme, told the City Times that Mbanjwa’s attitude to life has inspired him to never give up.
“Through my involvement in the township communities and with the development of rugby, I am faced with a lot of negativity and a lot of people who like to talk about development, but when they need to get involved they find that the work is too difficult and they soon disappear,” said Coetzer.
Mbanjwa lives in Daveyton and gets up every morning to go to work as a security guard at the private school.
He gained inspiration when the school rector, Michael McConnachie, explained to all the working staff of the school that anybody can make a difference in another person’s life.
“If you drive the bus, paint the lines on the sports fields, or even if you man the gate as a security guard, you make a difference to the community every day,” was the message presented.
Life, however, has recently not been easy for Mbanjwa (known as “Fani” by the St Dunstan’s staff and pupils) as he was attacked and robbed by eight thugs at his home, in November, last year.
He was held up with a firearm and was robbed of his cellphone.
Mbanjwa spent close to a week in hospital recovering from the assault.
“Instead of being angry and outraged by what people from his own community did to him, he remembered the school’s motto,” added Coetzer.
“He loves sports and wanted to learn what we do in the township with regard to rugby development.
“He told me that he wanted to start coaching and to get involved with the sport, but he knew nothing about it as he grew up playing soccer.”
Coetzer suggested that he attend the BokSmart training course and the coaching clinics that he presents for the Daveyton and Etwatwa residents on Saturdays, at the Sinaba Stadium.
“He has never missed a session and is now a big part of our coaching staff,” Coetzer said.
“He loves every minute of giving back to his community and would rather give young people the opportunity to look forward to something like rugby over a weekend, than to sit back and blame the system and the country for what has happened to him.
“There are many days when I get tired and wonder if we are ever going to get somewhere with this programme, and then people like Lungile inspire me to stand up and fight for what I believe in,” said Coetzer.
Speaking to the City Times at the clinic on Saturday, March 5, when he was taking part in a Valke refereeing course, Mbanjwa said: “I want to try to learn everything that I can about rugby, so that I can give back to my community.
“In the township we are all about soccer and rugby has been viewed as a sport where people just get hurt by big boys who have anger problems, but Jaco explained to me that rugby is not about that.
“I now understand the sport and know how it should be played,” he said.
“I love it and enjoy it.
“I have been going around to schools in Daveyton to speak to young people about rugby so that we can get more youngsters involved.”
He thanked Coetzer for inspiring him to get involved with rugby development and encouraged others to follow suit.
A video of some of the training at the Daveyton clinic on Saturday:
Previous articles:
Crossing the advantage line (a sports story of hope)
Daveyton display dynamic rugby
Rural rugby programme is ripening
