South Africa: A football festival for everyone (10.06.2010)

Fastenopfer’s Patricio Frei asked three young football players about their life and their dreams.

Aphiwe Sonti:
The rapper with the home-made ball

‘In the Xhosa language, my name means: The family has received a wonderful gift. I’m in 4th grade and I’m the best in my year. School finishes at 2 pm, then I briefly go home. I quickly eat a ham sandwich, and then I’m off. Us boys walk through the village and meet up with the other children, until we can play 11 against 11.

The football pitch is located just below the village. It’s very dusty – except for a corner which is crossed by a small stream, where a little grass grows. Now and again, someone from the village lets his horse or cow graze there. Then we just play around it. None of the children here have their own football. Mostly, we play with the Umdudla – it’s a ball we have made ourselves from plastic waste, paper and balloons. I have a very good feeling for the ball. My favourite position is as a striker.
My father works on one of the big farms. That’s what most of the men here do. The work is hard, and poorly paid.

I love musical shows. Every Saturday morning, I meet up with the other children in the community centre to rap and dance. We have a lot of fun. I’m a good rapper. I like it when people listen to me singing. I even have a nickname: Zola. Shall I sing something for you? I don’t need any accompaniment.‘

___________________________________________________ 

Date of birth: 17 August 1997
Place of residence: Basheba, a village in the Eastern Cape province.
Size of household: 4 people, parents and cousin. The parents work in Port Elizabeth.
My dream: I want to improve my life. I want to be successful in everything I do. I dream about a beautiful house which I’ll build with my own labour.
What I want to be when I grow up: A police officer, because there are people that make problems for others.
Hobbies: I sleep a lot. When I’m not asleep, I help with the household chores.
Favourite footballer: Teko Modise, from South Africa
Favourite club: Orlando Pirates, Johannesburg
My tip for the World Cup final: South Africa – Brazil 2:0

___________________________________________________

Fastenopfer helps people to free themselves from the poverty trap.
Find out more about the South Africa Country Programme.

Support us with your contribution: