GOLDEN Aces FC utility player and businessman, Mcebisi Mdwayi, uplifts the standard of the community in many ways.
Mdwayi started playing football at junior level at Golden Aces, which is based at Khiwane in Soweto-on-Sea and remained there until senior level.
He started helping the Zwide Football Association (ZWIFA) after securing a sponsorship for the Accurate Reworks System Tournament, which ZWIFA staged in 2015.
Mdwayi said that he was very concerned when he noticed that ZWIFA lacked financial resources to host events.
“I felt very worried to learn that our local football association (ILFA) had no financial means to stage tournaments. The clubs played football of an extremely high standard and they had to be motivated.
“Since I am passionate about sport, I decided to help ZWIFA. The tournament was run exceptionally well by ZWIFA, as there were no hassles,” he said.
Mdwayi also helped the current Banyana Banyana player, Sibulele Holweni, by buying her playing apparel when she went to take part in trials for the national team.
He also paid for her travelling costs and pocket money.
In addition, Mdwayi helped ZWIFA ladies’ squad with catering costs during the SAFA Nelson Mandela Bay Inter-ILFA.
He said that he helped people not to earn recognition, but rather to make a difference in the community.
“I do not want to see people suffering and my contribution to the community is to boost the spirit of the players. I want to see the youth playing sport instead of doing crime.”
He also played a phenomenal role in the football career of former professional players, including former Bafana Bafana striker, Siyabonga Nontshinga, Orlando Pirates and Bay United midfielder, Luntu Mazana, Jomo Cosmos’ Luvuyo “Lion” Kelepu and Free State striker, Mathome Juice Madimabe. Mdwayi guided Aces to win the ZWIFA Top 8 Cup and ZWIFA Premier League titles, as well as the SAB League promotion play-offs.
In most cases he used his house in East London to accommodate the professional players and transport them to play for his side from East London to Port Elizabeth.
As a company owner, Mdwayi employs the youth of Port Elizabeth, King William’s Town, Ilitha, Ndevana, Tshapo, Ziphunzana and Mdantsane. He transports them with his own vehicle to their workplace. “These unskilled individuals are trained in my company to re-engineer the parts of our supplier, Mercedes Benz, in East London. I help these individuals with transport,” he said.
Mdwayi said that COVID-19 had a bad impact on the entire sport, but his aim was to boost future stars, like Siyanda Mapela, Yolanda Mana and Lubabalo Mngcongo.
