The Steven Pienaar Committee along with Steven Pienaar visited the Walter Sisulu Juvenile Centre in Noordgesig.
Pienaar was there to motivate the youngsters who are at the centre and the committee donated soccer balls and refreshments for everyone who was there. Pienaar told the youngsters a story about when he was young.
“I was thirteen years old I stole a bike from one of the neighbours and it is quite funny because my neighbour was a soccer coach. I stole the bike and then got caught.
Video:
“My coach told me that I’m a young boy and that he can report me to the police and that my whole life would be messed up. I told him please not to tell my mother and that I’ll do anything he wanted me to do.
“He then said to me that I must join his soccer team and I told him that I do not like to play for clubs I just like street soccer. He told me if I don’t he’s going to tell my mother so I played for his team,” said Pienaar.
The retired footballer explained that if the coach chose to report him that day he doesn’t know what would have happened to his life.
“I got a second chance that day,” he added.
Pienaar told the youngsters that life is not over for them, it’s only the beginning.
“The past will only open the future for you and don’t look back, move forward. I know that it’s hard to go through these obstacles but if you set goals you will achieve it. If you believe in yourself you going to make it. Have faith in what you want to do,” he concluded.
The youngsters took photos with the footballer and individuals from the Department of Social Development were also present.
Follow Us Here:
Catch the latest news by visiting our other platforms: