The Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport (DCAS) recently donated a pool table to the Mfesane Youth Café in Saldanha.
Anroux Marais, Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport, was the first player to break up the 15 balls during her visit to Youth Café on Monday 13 March.
Her first shot was followed by those of the local young people.
Yolandi Afrika, CEO of Mfesane Vredenburg, said playing pool is a skill that can contribute to many other skills, such as improving focus, better hand-eye coordination, mental focus and more.
The minister encouraged the staff to continue inviting youth to the safe space the Youth Café provides. She stressed the importance of the well-being of staff so they can support and assist the other young people.
Mfesane appreciated the support and partnership with the DCAS district office in Vredenburg, where Craig Cornelson and his team operate.
“The plan is to introduce the sport to a group of young girls and liaise with pool experts to transfer skills and techniques. In pool one’s mental and physical ability to execute a good pot or safety shot can dramatically change the outcome of the game,” said Afrika.
So, she added, through this sport life skills can also be taught and reinforced.
“As in pool we need a healthy mental and physical state to make the right decisions as they determine the direction and outcome of our lives.”
