Diepsloot Safe-Hub showcases value of sport for development.
The Diepsloot Safe-Hub has been recognised for delivering quality and impact-driven programmes in sport for social change by Sport 4 Development (S4D), a UNICEF programme that actively promotes sport as an effective tool to achieve goals in health, education, gender equality, HIV and AIDS and child protection.
Recent research by S4D showcased the positive impact that sport for development projects, and in this case, the Safe-Hubs are having on the development of young people in the community, through the success of members of the Diepsloot Safe-Hub staff.
Siphokazi Ndlangalavu has grown remarkably within the AMANDLA EduFootball organisation since she was appointed as a PlayMaker in 2012. The PlayMakers are young people from the Safe-Hub community who are committed to changing their communities. They are given wide-ranging training to be the frontline coaching staff at the Safe-Hub, delivering after-school programming at the facility, and equipped for the world of work. Siphokazi was then appointed Programme Officer from 2015 to 2016, Coordinator in 2017, and is now AMANDLA’s first female EduFootball Manager.
She says, “Through this research by S4D and UNICEF, a video was created that gave me the opportunity to explain to the whole world how sport for development projects such as the AMANDLA Safe-Hub programme have contributed positively to my life, and to explain the importance of having Safe-Hubs that use sport as a tool to change young people’s lives in our communities. The AMANDLA Safe-Hubs are doing empowering work, and this research made it clear to youth who think sport is a waste of time that in fact it has life-changing potential. I am where I am today because I gave my best and I showed passion for developing my community through the Diepsloot Safe-Hub. In turn, my potential was recognised. Since 2012, playing and coaching football has taught me that being part of a team makes my life easier. I was inspired to teach kids how to avoid making mistakes in life, and I am constantly encouraged to be a good role model.”
The S4D UNICEF YouTube video featuring Siphokazi can be viewed on https://web.facebook.com/watch/?v=278735036378927
Other Diepsloot Safe-Hub staff members whose lives have been positively impacted by sport for development and who were included in the UNICEF research were Alex Shusha, Programme Officer; Polite Shabangu, PlayMaker 2019; Nokubonga Masuku, Female U16 Participant; and Tshepiso Ntsweng, Male U16 Participant.
Mike Page, Operations Director and Complex GM of Montecasino, which sponsors the Diepsloot Safe-Hub, says, “Well done to Siphokazi on her success, her hard work, and on being a wonderful ambassador for sport for development and for AMANDLA Safe-Hub. We look forward to seeing her message bear fruit among the young people in the communities where the organisation operates, and we are constantly delighted and impressed by the positive impact that the Diepsloot Safe-Hub is having on the community it serves.”
The Diepsloot Safe-Hub is based at Muzomuhle Primary School in Diepsloot and provides more than 1,400 local learners from grades R to matric regular access to a safe environment for facilitated sport, arts, life skills lessons, and personal development, and local youth the opportunity to participate in the Safe-Hub Soccer Night League on Friday nights.
