DURBAN, 13 July 2023: The Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA) has partnered with the Hollywood Foundation to embark on a meaningful #PayItForward campaign, spreading kindness and generosity to the less fortunate. As part of this initiative, COSAFA and the Hollywood Foundation selected Buhlebethu Public Primary School in Inanda and Siphosethu Primary School in Ntuzuma to receive much-needed support.
On Thursday, 13 July 2023, the COSAFA Executive Committee, along with the captains from the top four teams, joined representatives from the Hollywood Foundation to visit the two schools for a special handover event. The event served as a platform to present requested items from the schools’ wishlists, providing essential resources and bringing smiles to the faces of the learners.
Buhlebethu Public Primary School requested sports kits and equipment, laptops, printer and data projectors as well as traditional attire for their Indlamu group. Siphosethu Primary School identified specific needs, including a kettle, microwave, ink tank, fridge freezer, laptop, ultra-link compact smart projector and office furniture.
This philanthropic endeavour aligns with the Nelson Mandela International Day initiative, held annually on 18 July. COSAFA and the Hollywood Foundation aimed to honour the legacy of Nelson Mandela, a global symbol of compassion and unity, by making a tangible difference in the lives of children in need.
The city of Durban played a role in identifying Buhlebethu Public Primary School and Siphosethu Primary School as beneficiaries of this initiative. COSAFA approached the city with a request to identify schools requiring assistance, and these two institutions emerged as deserving recipients.
The partnership between COSAFA and Hollywood Foundation made possible through the support of Hollywoodbets, enabled the organisations to combine their efforts for this remarkable Corporate Social Investment initiative. COSAFA firmly believes in giving back to the communities it visits, not only by providing skills and training to local players, coaches, and administrators but also by making a positive impact on the wider community through the handover of essential goods. This shared vision for uplifting communities aligns perfectly with the goals of the Hollywood Foundation.
COSAFA President Artur Almeida e Silva said, “As COSAFA we must strive to do more to uplift the communities that host our tournaments, to empower the youth, to provide much-needed equipment and to bring entertainment in the form of sport.” Vuyisile Ngobese, Public Relations Officer for Hollywood Foundation said, “We are honoured to join forces with COSAFA on the #PayItForward campaign in a period where we remember the iconic leader and the late statesman, who devoted his life to the service of humanity. This initiative is our way of uplifting the youth in the identified areas and equipping them with the necessary tools for the long-term sustainability of sports. We are thrilled that we have planted a seed in sports development in the townships for the growth of our future sportsmen.”
