The country’s soccer, rugby and cricket national teams have endorsed a campaign to support the local communities.
Bafana Bafana, Proteas and the Springboks are the pride and hope of many South Africans. They play a pivotal part in the structures of the country and are widely supported in the communities.
Castle Lager’s storied brand history book stretches across 127 years and the latest campaign is entitled #ItsWithin.
“It’s really about the people, therefore, the communities that make us who we are. That is why this will always be our role as Castle Lager – to bring pride and hope to South Africa,” said Castle Lager’s brand director, Wendy Bedforth.
Castle Lager is renowned for its role in supporting homegrown talent through backing the senior national men’s sports teams.
Bedforth said: “Obviously sport plays a fundamental role in bringing people together, but we also found that Castle has lost relevance among consumers who don’t necessarily resonate with the sport as they were not seeing the brand.”
Building on this, Lizo Gqoboka, Springboks and Vodacom Bulls prop, said, “It is such a massive honour to be here celebrating this amazing brand that is creating opportunities and employment in our country.
“I started a foundation called Lizo Gqoboka Foundation because I realised there is a lot of local talent, but not many employment or entrepreneurial opportunities. We give opportunities in sports and education. We are having our second graduate next month in June. Previously, she had been sitting at home for five years doing nothing.”
Gqoboka is not the only local sports star paying it forward as Temba Bavuma, Proteas captain, and Lions righthand batsman also established a foundation called Temba Bavuma Foundation.
“The work the organisation has done has been incredible. In 2021, two individuals graduated from the University of Pretoria with degrees in accounting,” he said.
The Castle Lager brand will be contributing towards beautifying Kasi’s all around Mzansi, and uplifting local businesses to the benefit of the township economy.
Castle Lager is also helping to spread hope for a better life and optimism for opportunities through which to achieve that goal within Kasis across the nation.
Ronwen Williams, Bafana Bafana and Supersport United’s goalkeeper along with Johan Goosen, Springboks and Vodacom Bulls prop, support this initiative.
“There’s a lot of talent in places like Gqeberha. I want to nurture and expose young people through a foundation by giving them opportunities to instil a sense of belief in themselves. That is my plan. Hopefully, it can come to fruition in the next few years,” said Williams.
“I am from a small town in the Eastern Cape called Burgersdorp. I am involved in developing rugby clubs in the townships, not only through sponsorships but offering coaching mentorship,” said Goosen.
