The Social Cohesion Games (SCG) was held on the weekend of April 7 where teams of multiple nationals played together. The SCG is an annual tournament and this year the games were in its second year of running.
“Last year the finals were held at Nike Center, the event comprises of five regions, Tshwane, Ekurhuleni, West Rand, Sedibeng, and Johannesburg,” explained co-founder of SCG and former player for Bloemfontein Celtics, Kennedy Makara.
This year they brought the games to the Westbury grounds. Makara explained that the SCG all began after the unfortunate Xenophobic attacks.
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“South African nationals attacked foreign nationals for various reasons known to them and it affected the economy of the country because investors pulled out of business with South Africa,” said Makara.
It was Gauteng Premier, David Makhura who sat with Makara and Maurizio Mariano and decided that they needed to intervene.
“We are all made in Gods image irrespective of where we are from. Let me make an example, Kaizer Chiefs, and Orlando Pirates have brothers (foreigners).
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“I call them brothers because we are all from the same African continent, and when a fellow brother from Africa scores a goal for Kaizer Chiefs all South Africans present to celebrate with jubilation.
“We are saying that Xenophobia is a disease hence we started these games to bring people together,” explained Makara.
According to Makara, the premier declared that as long as he is premier of Gauteng the games will continue.
When asked if the SCG is only played in Gauteng he said: “It’s only because our Premier is the political head of Gauteng, our wish is that the games could spread to other provinces and the games have spread to Limpopo’s rural areas.”
Makara also mentioned that Doctor Khumalo, Steve Lekoelea, and Lucky Lekgwathi initiated the SCG in Limpopo.
Makara said that there are 112 teams from all five regions and the games that took place in Westbury were the knockout stages.
Makara concluded by saying that winning at all costs isn’t the true goal at these games but the goal to have everyone participating.
“Even if a team loses 10-0 they are not losers, even if a team wins 10-0 they are not winners, winning is when everyone in Gauteng participates irrespective of where they come from,” he said.
This year’s finals will be held at Mohlakeng Stadium in West Rand, a stadium named after soccer icon Ace Ntsoelengoe.
