So it was a welcome relief to see enfant terrible turned Member of Parliament, Boy Mamabolo, launch the Boy Mamabolo High Schools Games in Seshego last week aimed at 10 high schools within his constituency with a view to use the Gr 12’s to raise awareness around crime quite often perpetrated by young boys and girls. The Boy Mamabolo Foundation conceptualised a one-day tournament to involve the Seshego and Pietersburg Circuit schools: Mohlakaneng, Kgaiso, Moruleng, Bokamoso, Luthuli Combined, Millennium Combined, ME Makgato, Peter Nchabeleng, AMS Makunyane and Masedibu. The idea is that teams have been grouped into two Pools (A and B) and games played in a round robin basis, competing for prize money of R15 000 from Boy Mamabolo’s pocket. This will all go down on 15 March at the Seshego Stadium. These games are to be contested for by Gr 12’s only and will, according to Mamabolo, be the beginning of bigger things to come as in August, which is Women’s Month, the Netball Games will be launched and played at the Seshego Stadium precinct. Netball South Africa President, Cecilia Molokwane, who was in attendance at the launch committed to bring Supersport television to beam these netball games later in the year. She also committed to handover R5 000 from her own pocket towards the Netball Games Player of The Tournament. Wow. This brings me to the issue of corporate social investment, giving back to one’s community. Mamabolo and Molokwane are a few of many South Africans who have been blessed to find themselves in positions of influence and power and are utilising it to give back to their communities. Quite often we see on social media a lot of flexing and bragging by those who would have made it in life posting pictures of expensive alcohol they would be imbibing, the flashy cars they drive and the envious holiday destinations they get to spend their money on. It’s all good and nice but wouldn’t it be nicer if a portion of that wealth is diverted to those that are less privileged. My grandfather left me with this piece of wisdom: Three things to do with your money; spend it on yourself and family, save part of it and find a portion to spend on less fortunate members of society.
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