Blitzbok captain Siviwe Soyizwapi along with Sandile Ngcobo, head coach at South African Rugby 7s Academy, and Marlyn Williams of Living Ball empowered vulnerable youth under winter sun at a Summit4Purpose Teen workshop held at the Somerset College campus from last Tuesday (28 June) to Friday (1 July).
One of the SmartTeens, Alfonzo Junior Williams of Little Smarties street school in Macassar handed a painting over that they had made, wishing Siviwe and his team the best of luck in the World Rugby 7s competition.
Bizskills Education and Training and Weir Sport Promotion brought the inspiration and magic that comes from combining grassroots education with sportsmanship.
The Summit4Purpose initiative is about growing life skills in young minds so that a brighter future grows out of vulnerable communities. Teens from various areas in the Helderberg are empowered by monthly outdoor education, hiking, surfing and impactful conversations.
Volunteers collaborated with local educators and NPOs to provide innovative, fun and education covering diverse and crucial life skills. This project originated with Soap4Safety – Together Against Covid, a volunteer group started by Dr Bryony May in March 2020 to provide vulnerable communities with hygiene support. A great need was identified and a street school for more than 100 children started in Macassar, which grew into Little Smarties foundation-phase education and the SmartTeens project in Smartie Town. Other grassroots youth groups have also started up in Strand.
