Rhodes Shield rugby stars lift youngsters’ spirits

THE Rhodes University Varsity Shield squad interacted with children at the Home of Joy youth care centre in Joza Location and donated a cheque of R15 000.

As part of the Varsity Sports Social awareness programme, the Rhodes rugby players are required to choose and maintain a relationship with a charity organisation in their community.

Home of Joy founder Margaret Ngcangca, 71, was delighted that Rhodes Rugby had chosen the home and was excited about the Varsity Shield team’s visit.

Ngcangca said she was looking forward to a long and healthy relationship with Rhodes Rugby.

“I am extremely grateful for this opportunity, and the Rhodes Rugby team has made these children very happy.”

Ngcangca opened the Home of Joy in 1995, to give orphaned children a place they could call home.

The home houses 27 youngsters, ranging in age from two months to 21. “I look after 27 children at Home of Joy – and this year two of the children will enrol for their first year of studies at Rhodes University,” she said.

“It is hard looking after these youngsters, so any assistance is greatly appreciated.

“I would like to thank Rhodes Rugby for this generous donation and support.”

Meanwhile, Rhodes rugby head coach Qondakele Sompondo is buoyant about the ongoing preparations for his students’ debut Varsity Shield campaign.

“The guys have really worked hard in the past two weeks and I am very pleased with where we are with our preparations.

“Our physios, Lee Pote and Carey Pohl, have done a great job in getting the guys in good condition,” Sompondo said.

Rhodes have two warm-up games before their Varsity Shield debut – against Fort Hare University tomorrow and the Grahamstown Brumbies on Wednesday.

Their first Varisty Shield encounter is against the Tshwane University of Technology, on February 9 in Pretoria.