Bafana Bafana trains at Steyn City School

South Africa‘s national soccer team, Bafana Bafana is currently training at Steyn City School ahead of their match against Seychelles on 13 October.

According to the school’s headmaster, Brian Mitchell, they were both honoured and thrilled to host the national team at their school. “This is, of course, a significant endorsement of the calibre of our facilities,” he said.

“But more than this, we have the opportunity to leverage some of the massive excitement created by Bafana Bafana’s presence to benefit our community.”

The match is a qualifier for the 2019 CAF African Cup of Nations which will take place between 20 and 26 March next year.

Mitchell added that they also invited players of Diepsloot Stream Soccer Club to watch their soccer heroes train.

He said Bafana Bafana’s presence at the school was added motivation for their annual charity drive, Delivering Happiness to Diepsloot, as they celebrated the seventh edition of the drive by inviting people to become #SoleMates when they #PledgeAPair.

Steyn City Properties’ CEO, Giuseppe Plumari said, “This year, we’re focusing our efforts on collecting 13 000 pairs of school shoes for Diepsloot’s primary school learners.”

He explained that school shoes have been identified as a priority because many of South Africa’s children did not own this basic essential. “Consequently, they are forced to walk to school barefoot in all types of weather, and often have to drop out during the winter when chilly temperatures threaten their health.

“It’s incredible to think that something as simple as a pair of shoes can affect a child’s education, but we have seen that this is indeed the case. That’s why we’re urging Steyn City residents, contractors, staff and the community at large to support our initiative.”

Plumari added that he was proud that the #PledgeAPair campaign would contribute directly to job creation, as all shoes and the bags in which they are packaged were manufactured by local companies.

Showing their support, Bafana Bafana requested that their fans who have been invited to watch them train, donate sporting goods, either new or previously loved, to the initiative or donate a pair of school shoes.

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