By Jonk wa Mashamba
Editor-in-Chief
news@alexreporter.co.za
Sithuli Zulu, affectionately known as Kalawa Jazz Me, has become a role model amongst his peers.
This came after he won the man of the game at a recent street tournament that took place at the 19th Selbourne.
The 20-year-old man who passed matric in 2019 says the street soccer is very vital and has encouraged the youth to be part of the initiative as it takes them away from the streets.
It was for the first time that Zulu won this amount in a football tournament, and for him to have won, cannot be taken for granted.
Theo Maluleke, co-founder of the street soccer tournament, said the initiative is vital for young soccer enthusiasts.
Theo, who personally has a football team, says he’s closely associated with the Swallows. He promises to connect talented football players with the leadership of the Swallows, so that their talents do not vanish in the air.
“Our aim is to ensure that we unleash talents. We want to make sure that these guys found themselves playing at the SAB teams.
“Our other aim is to see this street soccer becoming big and see its players playing for international teams.
“We know that we need to start small, and as time goes on, it will grow,” said Theo.
Another co-founder, Lawrence Maluleke said their current wish was to see their vision being recognized and sponsored as their team has no goal posts.
They currently use dustbins as goal posts. “Our main challenge is the lack of goal posts. Our wish is to find small goal poles so that these boys can play nicely….we will be very happy.
“We also beg the city of Johannesburg to clean some of the rubbish we see on the street, so that we play comfortably,” Lawrence added.
Lawrence said last week the support was massive ,because people are now recognizing them.
“We want to make sure these boys are out of substance abuse and crime,” he said.
The amount of money used to reward the man of the game was a contribution made by four guys who manage this street soccer tournament.
Please contact Lawrence and Theo on 083 421 9457 or 0622747353
