Cape Town - An opportunity given to the youth to showcase their talent in Lavender Hill by a local hero saw their spirit going up and proud of their area.
Lavender Hill Sports and Recreation Foundation has provided youth with an opportunity for holiday activities on a field often used as a battleground by gangsters.
David Nicholson started exploring sport in 2003 with the football team named ‘Island club’ after recovering from drug addiction, and he founded the Lavender Hill Foundation in 2017 to prevent children from associating themselves with drugs.
“So that's when I started in 2003 after recovering from drugs, and then in 2017, I registered my Non-Profit Company. From there onwards, we have just picked it up further,” he said.
“It is part of a way to keep these children occupied and busy and away from drugs and gangsterism – that is my aim,” said Nicholson.
Clifton Davids, 34, is a football fanatic who has “seen a lot of bad stuff” and is a coach for Lavender Hill football club.
He said the opportunity to play and coach soccer players brings him a sigh of relief from all the gang-related shootings that they hear in their area.
“From this programme and football, my life changed. I saw better things for me in life. I would like to bring that experience to children as well here in my community, for them to see that there is not only gangsterism or fighting and all the stuff in this area,” said Davids.
“There is quality life here. It is up to us also, the people who went through all the stuff to teach them (children) and show them the way forward, otherwise they will not learn,” Davids continued.
“If they stay in the corner and see what others are doing, they are going to do the same thing. Rather keep them with programmes, football and whatever it is.” Davids concluded.
The chess player and coach, Zaheer Fredericks, 18, was taught the game by his stepfather when he was still a child.
He said he has since fallen in love with the game, and he plays with his friends in the public library in Retreat and participates in the school tournaments.
He said the activities of the Sport and Reaction foundation are good for the development of his community.
“This programme by uncle Mark is really good for our community. Chess, for instance, is a good sport because it helps you think even further and fast, it keeps you out of the streets and gets you busy. The children need that,” he said.
The sports held by the foundation include boxing, skateboarding and dominoes.
Nicholsen said he is partnering with the Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport to turn the gangsterism battleground into a youth development facility.
He said the project is expected to start mid January 2022 up until April and it will be characterised by a music studio, containers for classrooms, netball court and soccer fields.
Weekend Argus