Mdantsane Coach Aya's Dream Is Basketball Without Borders

One Man's Idea, One Man's Dream And One Man's Power

The township of Mdantsane is since a couple of years the home of the second biggest shopping mall in the Eastern Cape "Mdantsane City". Only Greenacres in Port Elizabeth is bigger.

The mall has been surely a great addition to the township amenities and has made life so much easier for many residents, by enabling them to shop where they live without having to travel 20 km to the City Center of East London.

But Mdantsane City serves more than one purpose, as we have found out recently.  

Mdantsane Basketball Coach Aya Making His Dream Come True!

The most energetic "Coach Aya" who lives in NU 9 in Mdantsane has made his passion almost his profession. Every second week of each month Coach Aya trains youngsters in the art of basketball playing on the large parking space of the Mdantsane City Mall. And he is really good at it. 

The tournaments he organises have started to attract large crowds.

Girls are training under Coach Aya's Eye On The Parking Space Of  The Mdantsne City Mall

Girls and boys alike of different age groups train under Coach Aya and he is determined to help the really talented ones to reach professional levels.

On the 17th of November we had the chance to see Coach Aya and his teams in action during a tournament organized by him, held on the cement floor of the outside parking area of Mdantsane City.  

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Coach Aya giving tips to the young players

There is no greater power than sport and many have recognized sport as a force to overcome ethnic and tribal rivalries in Africa and to drive Africa out of poverty and dependance. For a nation to be powerful it has to be united. Union is not always easy to achieve when one country is home to dozens of different cultures, beliefs, religions, political convictions and traditions.

Diversity is a beautiful thing, but to live in diverse union and to celebrate diversity everyday is something, that has to be learned. 

However, the learning process can be a long one, because it is all about opening your soul and mind to others, the ones you normally call strangers, and to things, that are entirely and completely different from what you know and what you are. 

The key to this is you have to start at a very young age. And somebody has to guide you a little along the way. It helps if somebody shows you a vision and walks a little with you.

Sport Gives You The Power To Free Yourself And Become Happy At Least For A While

Sport is the means to overcome stress, worries and the emotional burden, that poverty brings to one's life - at least for a while. Sport is a peacemaker and can give new direction to the lives of people who are without orientation. Sport, no matter what discipline, has proven to be one of the most powerful weapons to fight crime and reunite people. Sport gives a sense self worth. 

Basketball Without Borders - Coach Aya's Brand

Mdantsane has already the reputation to be a "boxer's township". So may be in a while we will see it become a "basketballer's township" as well. With a dedicated, energetic man like Aya it is possible.

 A Basketball Tournament Is Played On The Parking Space Of Mdantsane City Mall And Not Only The Players Enjoy It

To help Africa's youth through the establishment of proper sports clubs and organizations, that are coached by the right people is a vision many Africans would like to see become a reality. It's a powerful vision and it concerns the whole continent.

Everything great has started small with one man's idea

But it starts small. It starts with one man's idea and one man's will and determination to do something about something.

The basketball project " Basketball Without Borders" is one man's idea, one man's dream and one man's power. Coach Aya did not stop at dreaming, he went a step further. 

Choosing the Mdantsane City Mall as a training ground was a brilliant idea. South Africa is not a country where a lot of basketball is played.

Already Becoming Professional......

And we still have to ask Coach Aya where his passion for this sport comes from in a country where Rugby and Soccer rules.

Concentration And Speed Is Needed To Play Basketball

Coach Aya Firing On His Teams

More people will be attracted to this sport while shopping at the mall and more youngsters will be attracted to his training.

A New Way Of Becoming Fit And Exercising Team Spirit For The Mdantsane Youth

Sport has motivated people where everything else has failed and what Coach Aya needs now is more supports in any form and proper training facilities.

Moving Away From A Couch, TV And Video Culture

Thanks to our young 20 year old free lance anchor and German volunteer Jonas Krombach, living in Mdantsane since 9 months, who attended the tournament, we can show you these beautiful images today.

Let the images speak for themselves!

 A View Of The Township In The Distance

Coach Aya always supportive

All Age Groups And All Skill Levels

Our Very Young Free Lance Anchors Theresa Ekpa And Jonas Krombach With Coach Aya

Theresa, The Coach And Jonas

The Right Feeling For The Ball

A New Generation Of Young South African Women Has Been Born, They Want To Be Slim, Fit And Free

Mdantsane Basket Ball Girls In Action

The Mdantsane Indoor Sports Centre

 

Athuxolo Athie Madela The Youngest Referee In The National First Division And Premier Soccer League

We are featuring today on our blog an article written by the 2^nd year WSU ( Walter Sisulu University) journalism student Mali Andiswe.This article profiles Mdantsane born Athie Madela, who is the youngest referee officiating games in the National First Division (NFD) and Premier Soccer League (PSL).  

At 21 years old, Mdantsane born Athuxolo Athie Madela is the youngest referee officiating games in the National First Division (NFD) and Premier Soccer League (PSL) after he was appointed in February.

The day he was appointed Madela made his first appearance in a PSL clash between Chiefs and Cosmos.

Madela is over the moon with his appointment in elite football. “I was appointed as fourth official for the second leg PSL game between Kaizer Chiefs and Jomo Cosmos in Port Elizabeth after the African Cup of Nations. It was a real humdinger of a game which ended one-all. The Nelson Mandela Metropolitan stadium was packed to its capacity and the atmosphere was electrifying”. 

Athie Madela, the youngest referee officiating games in the National First Division (NFD) and Premier Soccer League (PSL)

South African Football Association (SAFA), Eastern Cape provincial referee’s appointment officer, Mason McKay said Madela is one of the few referees taking every opportunity coming his way.

“Madela is young, energetic and passionate about his job and has recently been given the whistle to officiate games at this level. We are very impressed with the way he is handling games,” said MacKay.

Madela who makes his living from refereeing, started officiating in local leagues like the Mdantsane Football League, SAB Castle League and the Vodacom League.

He said the road to success was not an easy one. “You deal with a lot of different kinds of people and you have to stay positive and focus on your vision and mission. My dream is to conquer the world”.

His inspiration and mentor, Lwandile Chris Mfiki, who is in the Fifa referee panel said: “Athi and I were identified in workshops conducted by SAFA in the East London region as we come from the same township. The first time I saw him officiate I was impressed about the way he handled the game and the good quality he possessed in the field of play. Now he is under my wing and I can assure you he is going places if he stays humble and strong”.

Madela gives back to the community by volunteering at social events and by giving advice and guidance to young people. He said youth in sport must keep discipline, follow their dreams and work hard, not forgetting to balance sport and school work.

His proud neighbour, Mr Alfred Zongezile Noti said: “I noticed he liked soccer. The kids would play in my yard with my son who is a little bit older than him. He progressed and we supported him all the way, praying with him, encouraging him to stay close to God. I heard the news of his promotion, I feel joyous and I will have to congratulate him specially.”

Madela attributed his success to his family for giving him the necessary support and also to referee Mfiki who played a vital role in getting him where he is today.

“All credit must go to Chris [Mfiki] for being patient and giving me the chance to explore the talent in me,” said Madela. He added that his short term goal is to climb the ladder of success onto the continental stage. –

Article and Photo by Mali Andisiwe

WSU-SNA 

Once A Boxer Always A Boxer

David Once A Mdantsane Boxer - Today a bookkeeper

You are looking at David working in a container office in NU 1. David is the book keeper of the Ethembeni Old Age Home in Mdantsane. He has been doing this work on a voluntary basis for a long time until the NGO received funding and is now able to pay him.

David in "his" container office

But he had another big surprise for me that day. 

David has been dedicating his time to different things in his earlier years.

David was a boxer

Well, knowing this and looking at him now I can see that he is a boxer.

His whole personality speaks and breathes boxing.

Once a boxer always a boxer.

Even his hands seem now like a boxer's hands.

He smiles at me, seeing how surprised I am.

Did you win many fights, I ask?  Yes, many, he replies.

Are there photos? Yes, there must be some !

Meanwhile he starts "wiring" a lamp, that is intended to hang from the ceiling of the container once he has finished. 

The thing is you have met me in an Old Age Home, as a book keeper, he reflects, that is how you see me!

And that is why you are surprised now! Truly Spoken.

South-Africa and specifically Mdantsane have produced and grown some of the finest world class boxers. The talent is still here but the problem at the moment is that there are not enough trainers and not the right trainers in the township. All the young boxers move away to the bigger cities, like Pretoria, and get trained by others more affluent trainers and promoters, he says.

Local talent must stay here and we must train here and take care of our young boxers !
We have a great boxing heritage ! 

But just recently an association of former and old boxers has been created of which David is a member, and was launched in June 2011 in Mdantsane with the aim to promote and take care of young upcoming boxing talent and to train them in Mdantsane.

" The problem is, when it gets dark, it gets really dark in here," David says.

Not anymore !