Getting together to improve lives of children

FORMER Springbok rugby captain and chairperson of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation Trust South Africa, Morné du Plessis, said yesterday one of the foundation’s ambitions was to bring together like-minded organisations to positively affect the lives of children.

He said this at a rugbythemed breakfast at Mercedes-Benz Century City.

Du Plessis was joined by former national skipper Jean De Villiers and popular New Zealand rugby commentators Grant Nisbett and Tony Johnson.

He spoke ahead of the clash between the Boks and All Blacks tomorrow.

Du Plessis said: “We are internationally active within 150 projects, 26 of which are here in SA and our desire is to give back through the use of sport. There are other socio-economic issues that need attention, we know that, but through sport we have seen the positive impact it can bring and also how it has given back to us.”

The panel told of their rugby rivalry experiences, and of the respect both nations have for each other.

Du Plessis, who was also the manager of the 1995 World Cup team, said his one advice to management currently would be that “success was a process”, and to “believe”

Zip Zap Circus School provided entertainment at the event, and sustainability manager Tania Majavie, said her students were overwhelmed by meeting the ex-players.

Laureus ambassador and interim Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis, said she was inducted into the foundation with former Proteas captain, Shaun Pollock.

“What the foundation does seems so small, but then you see the impact it has on the children and you are just humbled and awestruck. You never know how much you are going to learn and I have certainly been impacted by my time with the foundation,” said Ellis.

Ellis made history by becoming the first South African to win the Cosafa Cup Championship as a player and a coach. She led Banyana Banyana to their fourth victory in the competition after defeating hosts Zimbabwe 2-1 in an exciting final on Sunday at Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo.

Her advice to coach Allister Coetzee and his Bok team is to have “belief” and instil an “attitude of gratitude” if they are going to achieve success.