Social Cohesion Games kick off

The Gauteng Premier, David Makhura, kicked off the Premier’s Social Cohesion Games this week. The Social Cohesion Soccer Games are part of the Gauteng government’s continued efforts to enhance social cohesion in the province.

The tournament comprises social seven-a-side football games, which will see former footballers and players over the age of 35 playing qualifying games in nine key Gauteng regions. Given the theme of social cohesion, all regions will include a national team from various African countries as well as a team made up of different religions and nationalities. Round-robin games took place in Alexandra, Westbury, Soweto, Diepsloot, Sedibeng and Orange Farm.

In his opening address, the Premier touched on the current incidences of looting, vigilantism, destruction of property and violent protests directed at foreign nationals.

“We condemn these acts in the strongest possible terms,” he said, “and commend the South African Police Services and law enforcement agencies for their sterling job in restoring calm in the affected areas in our province. To this end, the police have arrested 136 people suspected of public violence, possession of drugs, and business burglaries. The law enforcement agencies will continue with this operation until the situation is stabilised and back to normal.”

Makhura called on community leaders and political parties to stand up and speak out against the senseless acts of violence against foreign nationals.

“On Human Rights Day last year, I appointed an Eminent Group of Social Cohesion Champions led by retired Constitutional Court judge, Justice Yvonne Mokgoro. The specific mandate of the team includes facilitating frank conversations on racism and xenophobia among various sectors of the population in Gauteng. Their work focuses on dealing with structural and systemic factors and the underlying causes of prejudice and inequality. They are working in partnership with schools, community organisations, cultural and sporting organisations and economic institutions. It is only through the mobilisation of all sectors of society that we can successfully tackle inequalities that reinforce prejudice.”

Local soccer legends and players from fellow African countries who are Gauteng residents, such as William Okpara, Roger Fetumba, Kalusha Bywala, Timothy Bathabire, Innocent Chikoya, and Patrick Maverick have been roped in. They will joined by South African soccer legends, Jomo Sono, Disco Makua, Doctor Khumalo, Brian Baloyi, Kennedy Makara, Thapelo Liau and Portia Modise.

The Games will be played in eight centres across Gauteng, namely Ekurhuleni, Johannesburg, Tshwane, the West Rand and Sedibeng. A total of 768 players and 64 teams from different African countries are involved. The final be played on 5 March.

Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at roodepoortrecord@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 955 1130.

For free daily local news on the West Rand, also visit our sister newspaper websites Randfontein Herald, Krugersdorp News and Get It Joburg West Magazine

Remember to visit our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages to let your voice be heard!