Diepsloot community member aims to improve lives through sport
The Diepsloot community member is passionate about using sport to change lives.
Ngoako Ramolesana is a resident of Diepsloot who contributes to the community in many ways.
Ramolesana is heavily involved in the community’s sports activities and organises a lot of the children’s tournaments and events.
He first came to Diepsloot from Limpopo in mid-1995 with his brother and has lived there ever since. Ramolesana is better known as ‘Sizwe’ in the community. “I was a sports person and I was very talented in football, that is why when I arrived here I played football,” he said. He also had ambitions of playing football professionally for Orlando Pirates but that did not work out for him.
He then formed a football club, Diepsloot Arsenal Development in 2004 with teams ranging from U11 to U18, senior teams and a girl’s team. “I formed that [club] because I failed to play professionally so now I can [help] others to play professionally. I can identify talent… I develop and I market the young players.
“I have got a diploma in sports management. I’m doing sport because I love it and because I went to school for that… I’m using the love and the passion that I have, and that’s what is pushing me to do these things.”
The influential community member runs two leagues, the Juniors League, and the Masters and Legends League. He also organises and runs a few tournaments in the community such as the Diepsloot Community Easter Games and the Diepsloot Mall Holiday programme. The programme is designed to help the disadvantaged children of Diepsloot.
Ramolesana said Diepsloot had a lot of social ills and crime and believes that the little that he does for the community makes a big impact and has the potential to change the lives of others.
“I’m trying to brand my township. I want it to be known for something [like] sport and where tourists can come and visit and not see Diepsloot as a place where people are killing one another.” He also believes that sport is important in disadvantaged communities and that it takes the children away from all the problems that they might be facing at home.
Ramolesana believes Diepsloot made him what he is today and jokes that he is married to the township.
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