Instilling hope through rugby

Two brothers are using rugby to help their drug-infested communities return to a time where youngsters would spend part of their day playing sport.

Malizole Manika from Nyanisweni, near Dimbaza, and Sinoxolo Tsewu from Debe, in Xhukwana, came up with the idea of ploughing back to the community they grew up in by providing a platform for young rugby players.

The young men hosted their first rugby tournament targeting schools from King William’s and Dimbaza.

Malizole says they hope to revive rugby in the rural community of Xhukwana and its surrounding areas, and they hope to eradicate the excessive use of alcohol among the youth by doing this.

Manika, who is a third-year accountancy student at Walter Sisulu University, says they want to encourage young boys of the village to focus on their studies as well as engage in physical activities.

The tournament, which recently took place at Debe, Xhukwana, Dimbaza hosted 180 boys from primary and high schools in Dimbaza and King William’s Town.

“We want to encourage the youth to stay in school, work hard and stay away from alcohol,” said Manika.

Ngasmith Tsewu, chairperson of Lion Field, a local rugby team at Xhukwane village, warned the youth of the dangers of drugs before handing out prizes.

“In order for you to succeed you need to prioritise in life, and at your age your priorities should be your books,” said Tsewu.

Fourteen local rugby teams took part in the tournament and winning teams took home cash prizes as well trophies.

● Honeydale from King William’s Town won first place taking home R1,500;

● Hamilton from Dimbaza took second place winning R1,000;

● Third place was Hungry Lion from Dimbaza, winning R800;

● Fourth place was Rock Of Ages from Xhukwana, who took home R450.

Tsewu said they plan to make the tournament an annual event as well as host more activities to keep the children of their community busy with productive activities.