Quad bikes, clowns and gift hampers were the order of the day when a group of Kaizer Chiefs players lead by communications manager Thebe Mohatle paid a visit, set up by the clubs sponsors Vodacom to the Lukhanyiso Home located in Kwa – Nobuhle in Uitenhage outside of Port Elizabeth on Tuesday afternoon. Following up on their visit last Friday to the St Vincent’s orphanage in Marianhill outside of Durban, the Chiefs players paid a similar visit to the Lukhanyiso home. Which like St Vincent’s cares of orphaned, abandoned and abused kids, the day was set up by Vodacom for the kids to meet the players who they only get the opportunity to watch week in and week out on television.

Once again a carnival like atmosphere was created with a group of clowns entertaining the kids, the show though was disturbed when the Chiefs players arrived and the kids rushed off to shake hands with the players. After being ushered into a marquee the players handed out gifts to the kids and thereafter signed autographs and took pictures with them before moving back outside where the real festivities began. Chiefs defender Siphiwe Mkhonza was a big hit as he joined the kids on a train ride around the grounds of the home; Mkhonza who clearly enjoyed his visit to Uitenhage had this to say. “I love getting involved in activities that involve kids especially those who do not have many material things, as well as a social structure to fall back on. We have been given many opportunities in our life and when ever I come to these kinds of institutions I like to try and bring as much joy as possible with me, as life is hard enough for these kids anyway”.

One of the youngsters from the home by the name of Akasi Jelasi a keen footballer himself, was particularly grateful for being able to meet Kaizer Motaung Junior and was given some words of advice from the Chiefs striker. Speaking to kaizerchiefs.com afterwards Akasi said “he told me that if I work hard and play football every day then one day I too could be playing for Kaizer Chiefs. I will take his advice and maybe one day I will be able to be a Chiefs player”. Nozuko Mkencele a care giver at the home was grateful to the Chiefs players for coming to the home and was pleased with the joy the visit of the Chiefs players brought with it. When she said “These children have been through a lot of emotional trauma in their lives, it is very inspirational for them to meet the Chiefs players as it makes them feel special that such famous figures could take time out and come and visit them”.

Amakhosi communications manager Thebe Mohatle expressed his happiness with the way the team was received as well as his desire to continue taking the team to all parts of the country to meet fans. Mohatle said “I believe that the only way that we can be in touch with our far flung fans is by visiting them in their communities, like fans come to the stadium to see the team playing. We in turn need to make visits to all our supporters across the country, particularly those of our fans who have in some way been socially marginalized. Our job is to light the fire of hope and by making such visit I feel that we are indeed doing that, and hopefully we can in time get more and involved in various community projects”.