Orlando Pirates’ football legend, Shakes Gwabeni has called on communities in Soweto to help in a bid to clean up an old soccer field. The field, where Gwabeni grew up, has turned into somewhat of a bushveld due to lack of maintenance.
“It’s heartbreaking to see it like that,” said Gwabeni.
“Kids in Dlamini have to walk long distances to go to a different soccer field. Young ones risk their lives crossing the busy main road while we have a neglected field here.”
Since hanging up his boots in 2000, the former Jomo Cosmos and Orlando Pirates man has been heavily involved in the development of youth sports. In 2018, Gwabeni was awarded a plaque by the Johannesburg Central District at the Sports and Extracurricular Special Awards for his work in helping grow school sports. Gwabeni was one of the founding members of the annual Shakes Gwabeni Schools tournament that pits school teams around Soweto against each other in a football tournament. Gwabeni intends to use the field to continue teaching youngsters the basics of football.
“We want to share the knowledge we picked up during our careers as professional footballers. I want to see the next Shakes Gwabeni or the next Pitso Mosimane coming from this field. That’s why it’s important to get it cleaned up.”
Gwabeni has received some support from local businesses but said more community members needed to get involved.
“There are a few businesses who climbed on board. We are still calling on more business owners and just the community at large to get in touch and be part of this mission,” he said.
As winter approaches, the field becomes a dangerous crime spot. In 2019, a human corpse was discovered on the field. Dlamini residents who cross the field on their way back to work at night have said the field is a terrifying dark place, while some said they had been mugged while crossing.
Yes, it does happen. Thieves can simply sit and wait for you to cross. You can’t see them because the field looks more like a bush now. We have a serious problem here and that’s why we want people to get involved,” he said.
Those interested in joining the clean-up campaign can call or WhatsApp 083 599 8506.
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