Winger Modiba returns to his old school bearing a gift

The journey of SuperSport United winger Aubrey Maphosa Modiba’s rise to stardom might seem familiar, like that of most players who grew up with limited opportunities and ended up making it in life, but there is just something special about the 22-year-old Matsatsantsa player.

Just walk a mile in Modiba’s shoes from where it all started a village called Menz Matshelapata in Limpopo, and you will see a different kind of life, where everybody knows each other and they are all like a huge, happy family. Despite the limited resources in their community, they strive to thrive.

It’s a morning after Modiba (right) had helped SuperSport get the three points with a winning goal in their fight against relegation with a 3-2 win over Free State Stars last Wednesday. As soon as he lands at his former primary school Makgefola, the pupils at the school start pointing at him and loud cheers erupt.

Their hero, who made it to South Africa’s top flight and has represented the country at junior level and senior level despite every obstacle, their home-boy is now there with them to unveil a new multi-purpose sports court at his former school.

It is a partnership Modiba has ventured into with the Sports Trust and Nedbank, after the financial institution helped him to make his dreams come alive through the Nedbank Ke Yona team search back in 2015.

Now, his dream is to see a number of kids in Matshelapata make a point of using the facility, which caters for indoor football, volleyball, basketball and netball in the best possible way to achieve their dreams.

“I am not saying they should all follow in my footsteps and play football,” said Modiba. “We all have different talents and I am certain one day there will be a star who plays a different sport coming out of here.

“We grew up with no facilities and played football in the streets. It was very hard, but times change and we have to help out where we can. I am happy to have partnered with Nedbank and as you can see, everybody in the school is happy about the multi-purpose sports court.”

Maria Mkgoba, the principal of Makgefola Primary was delighted with the court and says having a person like Modiba as a role model will inspire the kids.

“Having high-achieving role models that come from your community is the best way to inspire young people to achieve their potential. This gift of a multi-purpose sports court has fallen on fertile soil and it will be used to the maximum,” said the principal. As a graduate of the Nedbank

Ke Yona team, Modiba gave his best wishes everyone who will be trying their luck hoping to make it to the 2018 Ke Yona team and says they must do their best because it might open a lot of doors for them.