A gathering of former professional players and young ones

VANDERBIJLPARK.- It was a great day for the development of football when the Regional Treasure of Umkhonto WeSizwe Military Veteran Association (MKMVA) in Sedibeng, who is also a Member of ANC Sedibeng Regional Task Team RTT), Johnny “Mkhonto” Radebe once donated soccer equipment to a local development football club, Nale Academy.

This historical handover took place at Emfuleni Golf Estate yesterday.

This historical handover was attended by former football greats such as Mike Ntombela, Avril Phali, Peter Khoabane, Solomon Mathe, Abia Nale and Augustine Makalakalane. Sedibeng District Municipality (SDM) Executive Mayor, Lerato Maloka and her Chief Whip Mamohale Moloi graced this occasion. Not long ago, Radebe donated  a soccer kit to the Vaal Legends where the handover took place at the same venue.

Yesterday, young and old came together to revive the Sedibeng football with an intention to have a professional football team in future with the support of both municipalities taking into consideration their support for the past two weeks when ‘Mkhonto’ as he is been commonly called, donated soccer kits to Vaal Legends.

Speaking to Sedibeng Ster Sport, Sedibeng District Executive Mayor, Lerato Maloka, appreciated the contribution from Mkhonto. She said sport has no colour line. “Sports unite the nation,” said Maloka.

In his response, Mkhonto said that he is jealous about football.

“I have been following up with Nale Academy. The academy is doing good and it is my wish to see the sports in the region doing good. I strategically invited the Mayor to come and see where they as the government can make the future to better for the community. Growing up in Evaton, its where my heart is. Sport brings joy and unity and makes people happy. Vaal has produced many professional players but we don’t have the best facilities. We need to go back to the glory days and see how best we can uplift our communities through sports,” he concluded.