Harmony
High School from Virginia in the Free State has been the most successful team
in the history of the Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup, winning R2.2 million in
prize money in the last three years. They go into the regional playoffs in the
Free State leg of the 2013 competition on May 18 as defending provincial
champions, having won all of their matches at the cluster level and are looking
good to advance to the next round of the competition for the fourth year in a
row.
Harmony
were the 2010 Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup Free State Provincial Champions
and runner-ups at the National Finals that year, netting the school R 700
000.00. In 2011 they went all the way to winning the National title which meant
they took home the R 1 million first prize, while last year they were the Free
State Provincial Champions and came 4th at the National Finals and walked away
with R500 000.00 The Provincial finals will start in July with the finals
happening in September.
That
totals R2.2 million was spent on things like buses, sports kits, equipment
(including for under-privileged schools in their area), upgrading of their
sports fields, computers, overhead projectors and other educational equipment.
Hector
Mokhali, the team’s manager says the cluster games were tough this year but
they are pleased to be through to the next level. “Marematlou Secondary and
Reatlehile Secondary in particular were well prepared and had quality
defenders,” he said. Harmony’s results in the cluster games were: vs. Mamello
Secondary School- won 4-0, vs. Marematlou Secondary School – won 2-0, vs.
Reatlehile Secondary School – won 2-0, vs. Meloding Secondary School – won 4-0.
Mokhali
says he has a young team this year – most of the players come from the 2011
under-16 team, but fortunately there are 6 players who were in the competition last
year and he is hoping that the combination of the youth and experience will
work. All the players in the current squad are part of the Harmony Sports
Academy funded by Harmony Mine in Virginia.
As
far as preparations are concerned, Mokhali says they are busy building the team
and trying to get the combinations right. “The players are still trying to get
used to my coaching style,” he says.
The
on-going teachers strike has resulted in them not playing enough practice games
he says. ”We invite schools to come play with us but sometimes they don’t
pitch, so a temporary solution has been to play against Vodacom league and
Castle league teams in our area” he says. “However, they have tight schedules
but one game in two weeks is better than nothing.”
Mokhali
calls on ex-players from the school that have gone on to the PSL to come talk
to the team. Lerato Manzini from Bloemfontein Celtic, Koloko Mokethi from
African Warriors and Thabang Matuka from Maritzburg United have all been there.
Manzini played in the Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup 2 years ago.”He has been
very supportive,” Mokhali says, “not only this year but last year as well.
Whenever his schedule allows it he spends time here”.
Mokhali
believes commitment, hard work and team spirit is what has made them successful
over the years. “We do everything as a unit and that is what kept us going all
the years,” he says.
Of
the successful class of 2012, Bojuzi Manjoe is playing for Sivutsa FC in the
National First Division; Erick Mgomezulu is with Maluti EFT College FC in the
Vodacom league; Themba Dladla and Ngozo Njabulo were awarded scholarships by
the University of North West Potchefstroom Campus and where they are studying
Sports Management; and Mpalala Bantu is with Bolton Wanderers in the UK.
Mokhali
is looking to Tshwaela Phetisa, a striker with pace and magnificent ball
control, to be the key player in the 2013 campaign.
Sanlam
understands the value of development and the importance of realising what one
hopes for. They believe that the SASFA Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup creates
opportunities that have a positive impact on the youth and also provide
exposure to scouts for those pupils who have talent. Moreover, the tournament
also contributes to enhanced learning through improved educational facilities
for the benefit of the rest of pupils in the winning schools and the broader
communities around them.
