THE Siyaphakama Multi-Sport Tournament made a grand return on August 23, bringing together boys and girls’ sports teams from six different primary schools at JJ Engelbrecht Stadium in the Zwide community of Gqeberha.
This collaborative initiative, spearheaded by the Kolisi Foundation, Ubuntu Pathways, United Through Sport, and KaziBantu, was aimed at igniting the spirit of healthy competition, while addressing critical issues affecting today’s youth.
For the first time, the Siyaphakama Tournament, which is supported by Aware.org, introduced life skills education as a central theme, with a special focus on underage drinking and alcohol abuse. To encourage positive behaviour and responsible decision-making, the tournament integrated the #NoToU18 educational activities.
Teams earned points by participating in interactive games that highlighted the dangers of underage drinking. This innovative approach has been proven to be more effective in helping young participants retain key messages, compared to traditional classroom-based learning.
“We are proud to support the Siyaphakama Multi-Sport Tournament, a platform that not only promotes physical fitness but also nurtures the emotional and academic growth of children,” said Mokebe Thulo, Head of Brand at Aware.org.
“By incorporating life skills education into the tournament, we are taking significant strides towards empowering our youth to make informed and responsible decisions about alcohol consumption. This initiative aligns perfectly with our mission to create a safer and healthier society.”
In addition to the educational focus, the tournament also aimed at addressing food insecurity, another pressing issue in the community.
All participating children received a full meal, ensuring they were well-nourished and able to perform at their best.
The event culminated in the awarding of trophies, medals, and prizes to top-performing teams and standout participants, celebrating their achievements on and off the field.
“In partnership with Aware.org and the Kolisi Foundation, we’re tackling critical issues like underage drinking and alcohol abuse head-on, through interactive games and educational activities that will inspire and educate our young participants,” said Nick Mould, Director of United Through Sports.
The key objectives of this event were to promote Aware.org’s involvement in the Siyaphakama Tournament and its initiatives through engaging visuals and stories, and to showcase the positive outcomes of the tournament on youth empowerment and community development.
The aim was to have the whole community involved, including families, volunteers, teachers, donors, partners, and corporate sponsors.
