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Joy for History Makers

Wednesday, 09 November 2011 18:50 | Written by Lisa B. |

JOY FOR HISTORY MAKERS

Community Courage in Valley of a 1000 Hills

The situation in the region of KwaNyuswa is characterized by serious social considerations – the underlying causes of which are deeply interconnected. These conditions include large levels of crime, drug abuse, teenage pregnancy, rape, women and child abuse HIV/AIDS and unemployment.

Making a Difference

Soccer Coach, Pitso Njapha, of the History Makers soccer team from KwaNyuswa in the Valley of a 1 000 Hills is a very, very happy man. He has just been presented with brand new soccer balls by ‘Pramodh and Priscilla Singh and by the Advice Desk of the Abused.

Soccer Coach Pitso Njapha and Light joy with Siyanda after receiving soccer balls

A happy Soccer Coach, Pintso, sharing his from Priscilla Singh and Pramodh Sing. Lisa

Providers’ Youth Centre’s Executive Director, Bradshaw of Thekwini Sports Academy joins

Siyanda Chonco the celebration

The Nyuswa Senior Primary School soccer field School children from Nyuswa Primary School

from where Pitso coaches aspirant players

Light Providers Centre in KwaNyuswa. From left

Priscilla Singh, Pramodh Sing. Siyanda Chonco

and THSBS Director, Advocate Don Leffler

Light Providers started the History Makers soccer team some years ago as one of its many sport initiative. It committed its passion to provide access to sport for the youth of KwaNyuswa. This was done with moderate means, loads of passion and limited support. Pitso’s office is a dusty unlevel playing field with no grass or markings. Two sets of goal posts border the uneven field where Pitso coaches u/13, u/15 and u/17 teams from the Nyuswa Senior Primary School in KwaNyuswa.

On weekends. Pitso coaches his History Makers Team and co-ordinates tournaments and events for History Makers. Against all odds, History Makers, a Team of heroes, has won several games and tournaments. Trophies showing the courage of the History Makers Team are proudly displayed at the Light Providers Community Centre in KwaNyuswa. Pitso and Tseko (Sport Manager at Light Providers), desperate for soccer equipment for his Team, approached Thekwini Sports Academy’s Lisa Bradshaw for assistance. Pitso, Tseko and Lisa first met shortly before the 2010 FIFA World Cup and discovered they shared a passion for sport. Pitso and Tseko introduced Lisa to Light Providers, a registered non profit organisation founded in 2005 by Vusi Kweyama, working primarily with young people in the region of KwaNyuswa.

The Light Providers’ Centre houses the only library in the area and services the needs of the 40 000 population. Light Providers offers the KwaNyuswa community a training room and meeting facilities which are enthusiastically booked well in advance.

The Library

The Light Providers Youth Club is an extraordinary organization and is selflessly led by Executive Director, Siyanda Chonco. It offers its community counseling and guidance on a range of social issues from IV and AIDS to abuse, rape and drug addiction. More than 150 youngsters are mentored each year on a regular basis. Others are assisted on a needs basis. The Light Providers Youth Club also supports the History Makers Soccer Team and its Coach, Pitso. Lisa Bradshaw was so in awe of what Siyanda, Pitso and the Light Providers were doing for their own community that she rallied support for their cause. Enlisting the support of associates Don Leffler of the Tourism, Hospitality & Sports Business School (THSBS) and Dawn Haynes of Voice Pro, Lisa co-ordinated the donation of books and DVD’s for the library at KwaNyuswa.

Grateful for her support, Light Providers and Pitso, recently approached Lisa Bradshaw of Thekwini Sports Academy for assistance to get soccer balls for the school soccer teams and for History Makers. Lisa, with an introduction from THSBS’s Don Leffler, found willing support from Pramodh and Priscilla Singh who traveled to KwaNyuswa in the Valley of 1 000 Hills to present Pitso with new soccer balls for his teams. Priscilla also presented Siyanda Chonco of the Light Providers Youth Club with a full set of school science encyclopedias for the library at the Light Providers Centre.

Like many townships in KZN, KwaNyuswa has huge social and economic challenges. They need ongoing support and assistance to develop their community. It is organizations like Light Providers and individual heroes like Pitso and Siyanda that make a difference with their passion and tireless efforts for little personal reward or recognition.

People and organizations interested in supporting Light Providers and the History Makers Soccer Team may contact the Light Providers Youth Club at email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and visit its website at www.lightproviders.com

Contact information:

Light Providers :Website: www.lightproviders.com Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Thekwini Sports Academy : Website www.thekwinisportsacademy.co.za Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

THSBS (Tourism, Hospitality & Sport Business School) : Website www.thsbs.com Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

The Advice Desk for the Abused: : Toll-free telephone number (0800 24321 or 0800 204160) and a help desk manned by volunteers like Pramodh and Priscilla Singh from an office at the University of KZN. Website: www.advicedesk.org.za. Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Last Updated (Wednesday, 09 November 2011 19:54)

A Tribute to Durban

Thursday, 23 June 2011 05:39 | Written by Lisa B. |

I have walked and run along that Durban promenade many times since the 2010 worldcup. I have been there at all times of day and witnessed it jam packed on the 26^th December and nearly empty some early mornings. I always marvel and think if anything Durbanites got the best deal out of the world cup.

We have a stadium unlike others that does have people hanging around it for a few reasons. A bite to eat, a skycar ride to the top with an awesome view and even a swing off the beams for those who need more of a rush then the typical chandelier swing in the bedroom.

We have the most amazing promenade. Sometimes while running along a tune comes to mind and I find myself humming to ‘wakka wakka’! I do try keep the hips from swaying lest I stumble over my own feet and make a fool of myself!! The ‘Waving Flag’ song also comes to mind and I have to stop my hands from going through the motions . There was something about those people dressed up in flag outfits way back when and I envy the New Zealanders and the fanfare that they are about to experience!!

Rugby does not have Brazilians!!

Sunday afternoons is my favourite time on Durba n beachfront!! It is packed with walkers and runners, kids and grandparents and everyone in between and all our cultural groups are represented here. Besides what Malema thinks and wants everyone to believe, this is the real South Africa. No cultural hang ups and fighting but people mingling, some mixed race couples and a feeling of general well-being and warmth!! I love South Africa on a Sunday afternoon!!!

I have also walked a few times at low tide on the shoreline and Durban’s beachfront takes on a whole new meaning!! It looks different somehow from there. I have come across a bantam chicken just standing and shivering. At first I thought it was the ‘Polly’ remake from Monty Python. I looked around for the John Cleese act alike but he wasn’t there. Then I realised it was a little more sinister. There were candles scattered and fruit lying around in the sand. The cleaners tell me this happens most weekends and normally the chickens are already dead. Satanistic rituals apparently!!

Further along the beach early mornings the fishermen line the water’s edge. I amazed at just how many there are in front of addington hospital!! Soon after there is the huge water pipe that seems to be home to a whole lot of foreigners. They sleep alongside in the sand and wash themselves in the water coming out the pipe!! You will always find many people some so well dressed still in their dancing shoes and others dressed for the right wave dumping occasion. Those all have one purpose. To fill a plastic bottle with sea water and sand!

The sand artists have become part of the beachfront scene. Some of their carvings in the sand are exceptional master pieces and I am amazed at just how talented some of them are!!

When the wind blows in the right direction the surfers are out nice and early trying to catch a wave or two and there are always some interesting people hanging around!!

From Moses Mabhida stadium to the beautiful waters in front of uShaka, Durban beachfront has something for everyone. Its well worth the walk, run or bicycle ride at any time of the day!!!

Last Updated (Thursday, 23 June 2011 06:42)

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