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Investing in our future Boks

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Fullback Emile Sifile shows nimble feet as he evades a tackle. Pictures: Gabriel Yaffes
Fullback Emile Sifile shows nimble feet as he evades a tackle. Pictures: Gabriel Yaffes

The afternoon in Cape Town is cloudy and muggy. There is a moderate wind and, while it does not affect the flight of the oval ball, it sends dust into passionate eyes, and sand particles find their insidious way down the oesophagus and into the lungs.

This is the smallest of prices to pay as spending an afternoon coaching some of the most vulnerable players in terms of social economic disparity provides assurance of the future of our country.

Langa, once a flashpoint of the struggle movement, is again producing the indomitable fighting spirit that epitomises grit, endeavour and overcoming the most inordinate of circumstances.

The Vusa programme, initiated by Bishops Preparatory School, instils a fervent desire in hundreds of disparate kids, all desperate to escape from poverty to become breadwinners.

The ardent desire is clear in the eyes of more than 200 players as they are put through their paces by seven coaches under the watchful eye of technical director Mac Kahla.

Coach Luvo Ndabaninzi spells out the art of rugby. Pictures: Gabriel Yaffes

The initiative, run by the school’s master of rugby Brendan Fogarty, not only focuses on the sport but also provides education in a host of make-shift classrooms scattered around the Langa Sports Ground.

The programme has already produced a Springbok player – Sikhumbuzo Notshe, who also plays for the Stormers, came through the ranks.

The Vusa academy offers Under-9, Under-11 and Under-13 teams, and they compete against kids from schools such as Bishops, Wynberg Boys’, Rondebosch and SA College Schools. The side has built such a reputation that they have been invited to participate in the Paarl Boys’ School annual rugby event on March 9.

Stormers hooker Scarra Ntubeni has seen first-hand the change in the community and was even part of the coaching staff when he was injured in 2016.

With role models like Notshe and Ntubeni around, the kids sleep that bit sounder and their dreams are made more tangible.

Ntubeni sees the duality of sport and education as the key to growth, personally and physically.

“I have seen that, with kids from challenging socioeconomic backgrounds, there is not a solid grounding in social discipline, and the Vusa programme addresses behavioural issues. This, in turn, leads to more discipline in and out of the classrooms,” said Ntubeni ahead of the Superhero Rugby Challenge at Newlands today.

“Rugby is a wonderful opportunity for these kids, but education, discipline and desire go a long way in producing community leaders, businesspeople, doctors, lawyers and so on.”

Under-13 players are monitored by coach Luvo Ndabaninzi. Pictures: Gabriel Yaffes

Ntubeni is also an ardent believer in social cohesion and considers the programme, which sees the Langa boys training with the Bishops Prep boys, as a fundamental component of our rainbow nation.

“The success of this programme over the years, with many players moving on to earn bursaries at top schools, is a bringing together of different cultures and I have seen with my own eyes the camaraderie between all the boys across the spectrum … the Bishops boys teaching the Vusa kids marbles, the sharing of equipment and food, and the absolute joy in the eyes of all involved.”

Ntubeni is full of praise for the public sector that has helped the programme succeed, crediting Investec Asset Management, Kepu Trading and Shoprite for keeping the dream alive.

“The boys have a huge challenge when it comes to basic necessities like food … some don’t have a meal for 24 hours before training, and this is where the sponsors come on board by providing a hot meal and a cold drink among an array of amenities most take for granted.”

The Vusa programme plays another massive role in the community as it is the feeder team to Cape Town’s first black rugby club, the Busy Bees RFC.

The club was born in District Six 96 years ago, with migrant workers from the Eastern Cape filling the ranks. The Busy Bees recently earned the right to participate in the Super League play-offs in what will be their first foray into the upper echelons of club rugby. The team, with a stream of players from Vusa, will no doubt become one of the most successful rags-to-riches stories in the future.

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