An initiative to take teenage girls off the street was hosted by the Katlehong netball team, Smiling Seeds Ladies. The event saw three teams partaking in the Kathorus Netball Mania held in the Keditsilane Multi-Cultural Village in Katlehong on March 16.
Smiling Seeds boast a team of u-15 and a side made up of legends. Sphamandla Netball Club has an u-15 team while Parkerst Netball is blessed with a team of legends.
Smiling Seeds, as the hosts of the event, played against both teams. In the opening match, Smiling Seeds under-15 faced Sphamandla, and enjoyed a comfortable 15 – 7 win.
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In the second game, the old crocks, as the legends Smiling Seeds describe themselves, took on Parkerst Netball team. They easily trashed them 42 – 9.
Each team contributed a sum of R150 to make the total sum of R600. Winners under each category – Smiling Seeds u-15 and Smiling Seeds old crocks – each took home the sum of R300 as prize money.
Katleho Mphuthi, the u-15 Smiling Seeds player netted eight goals for her side while Nelly Mthembu, who plays for Smiling Seeds Ladies old crocks, netted 30 goals for her side.
Smiling Seeds u-15 senior coach Nelly Mthembu – who is also old crocks goal scorer – said the purpose of these games was to spend time with young players and entertain them.
“There is an increasing number of teenage pregnancies and dangerous drugs out there. We organise these games to save young girls from using drugs which lead to unplanned pregnancies. Unplanned pregnancies have a negative effect on their future,” said Mthembu.
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She said: “We want to show them love so that they avoid making bad decisions which they might regret later on.”
From Smiling Seeds Old Crocks.
Lelethu Ndzunga, one of Smiling Seeds Ladies u-15 players, said the initiative by the senior team was good and motivational.
“What made us believe in them is that they lead by example. They live what they teach on and off the field,” said Ndzunga.
The event was sponsored by Dr Mpini Lephoho of Ixacon Drilling and Blasting Construction, providing all the necessary equipment to make the event a success. This included netball uniform for all teams, balls and beeps.
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