A 15-year-old boy from one of Mitchells Plain’s most dangerous streets is refusing to let his circumstances define his future.

Zac Roberts, a Portland High learner, lives in Viscount Street, Rocklands, the same street where a 9-year-old boy and two adults were gunned down in a mass shooting on 2 December last year. Just months later, in March, three more people were killed and a 15-year-old girl wounded in another shooting at a different house on the same street.

Despite the daily reality of living in what his aunt Vivienne Roberts describes as a street where “almost every month is a murder or a shooting or stabbing” Zac has found a goal. He is chasing a dream of representing South Africa at an international football tournament. The Grade 10 learner was selected in January to represent Camps Bay Football Club at the prestigious Gothia Cup in Sweden in July 2026, after being scouted from among more than 150 boys.

Standing out from the crowd

Boebie Solomons, technical director and head coach at SAFA and Camps Bay FC, said Zac stood out, not just for his football skills but for his character as well.

“He really showed huge potential and good attitude, also good team spirit and he displayed some really good characteristics as a human being as well. We look at the player and the person as a whole, not only as a football player but as a whole, because we believe in holistic development and we want to create not only sports people but we want to create people that can help our country. But the family now faces the challenge of raising about R60 000 by June to cover the costs of flights, accommodation and tournament fees.”

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Community rallies behind teen

Roberts, who is also a teacher, said that Zac is a role-model because younger children in the community look up to professional sportsmen. “These kids are not trying to escape the boxes or withstand the stigma society has put on them, based on where they come from. They believe the idea that if I come from that area, I am not going to amount to anything. And here he is, saying, ‘no, we don’t need to let our circumstances dictate.’”

She encouraged the community to support Zac’s fundraising because what he is achieving is giving hope to other children.

“We as a community want to show that we see you, see your hard work, your dedication and that we are behind you.”

Faith and determination

For Zac the opportunity represents more than just sport; it’s about showing other young people from his community that their postcode doesn’t determine their potential. Solomons believes that if international scouts see players such as Zac perform “he can advance like other players like Benny McCarthy, Quinton Fortune and Lucas Radebe. If you have the ability you can also aspire to be one of the greats in the world by the talent that God has given you.”

The Gothia Cup, held annually in Gothenburg, Sweden, is one of the world’s largest youth-football tournaments, attracting teams from more than 80 countries and Zac is not oblivious to how big of an opportunity it is. “There are so many children wanting this opportunity,” Solomons said. “That I am getting I myself … I didn’t know this was possible to achieve from where I stay, but all you have to do is keep on working hard and stay disciplined and opportunities like this will start opening up for you. I’m so grateful for what I am achieving as it can lead me to getting scouted. I just stay positive and leave it in God’s hands. All praise to him for allowing me to get this opportunity.”

Anyone wishing to support Zac’s journey can contact the organisers on 082 588 3859.