FALSE BAY RUGBY CLUB

Mandela Day is held dearly by South Africans, its theme of 67 minutes of selfless giving a popular concept.

 

According to the Nelson Mandela Foundation's website, sixty-seven represents the number of years Madiba was in public service, from 1942 when he first started to campaign for the human rights of every South African. Mandela said at the time of the campaign’s launch that he would be “honoured if such a day can serve to bring together people around the world to fight poverty and promote peace and reconciliation”.

 

As with all sports, club rugby has been a non-entity this year, as the country bravely battles the Coronavirus. Clubs around the Peninsula have toiled tirelessly to keep the interest of their players and supporters, the former required to exhibit strong self-discipline in training alone and with limited facilities. Many clubs have not been as successful in addressing this challenge, the task of resurrecting interest next year made more difficult by that falling away.

 

The players at False Bay RFC have been showing a determination to band together and prepare for this no-show season. Off the field they have continued their involvement in community projects where possible.

 

For Mandela Day, the lads embarked on a three-prong project. Firstly they got together on Saturday to make sandwiches which they then handed out to homeless people in the vicinity. No take-away supply or delivery service, just the humbling process of preparation and presentation, a reminder of one's good fortune when compared to others.

 

The players collected money amongst themselves to buy groceries and some treats for the children at Miracle Kidz in Constantia, their chosen charity of the last number of years.

 

Miracle Kidz provide a safe and loving temporary home to abused, abandoned and neglected children. Furthermore, to feed, clothe and attend to any medical requirements that are needed and introduce them to a family structure thus preparing them for the future.

 

It is here where the False Bay boys have embarked on an ambitious drive as phase three of their Mandela Day commitment. In the current economic climate, organisations who rely heavily on the kindness of others through donations and gifts of product and services, have suffered as people and organisations are forced to scale back on expenditure.

 

The recent storms to hit the Cape dealt a heavy blow when the roof of the Miracle Kidz premises in Constantia was destroyed by heavy winds. The best estimate for repairs is R48 000 yet the repair would not be as effective as a new replacement, which is expected to cost R80 000. As if that was not sufficient demotivation in these trying times, their Hi-Ace which was kindly donated as a sponsorship has to be returned as the sponsor enters liquidation.

 

Phase three of the False Bay RFC players funding drive is ambitious and it will take some effort to achieve this goal. Captain Thabo Ngcongo explains. “We have started a fundraising drive where people are invited to donate a minimum of R67 to the fund. It’s a mammoth task which we are actively driving, approaching people and businesses for their help”.

 

Indeed it is but a necessary one when the contingency plans are considered. Their garage is being converted to serve as a dining room and entertainment area while the repairs are awaited.

 

Perhaps the saddest aspect of these challenges is why deserving cases such as these children are further challenged beyond the circumstances that have resulted in their accommodation in such a facility in the first place.

 

If you would like to participate in this drive, be it a cash donation, product to repair the roof, or the use of a vehicle, please visit www.falsebayrugby.co.za or contact the writer at jonharris@telkomsa.net. The Snap Scan Code for donations is below.