In an effort to give back to his Newcastle community, Kaizer Chiefs midfielder, Siyabonga Nkosi will launch a youth festival that aims to celebrate the youth and their talents beyond football.

Regarded as one of the best passers of the ball in the Premier League, Nkosi was born in Mdozo Village in Newcastle where he played for local sides Eleven Aces and Riverview Spurs. He grew up watching the likes of legend Fani Madida, Sizwe Motaung and Helman Mkhalele who were born in the same area.

The Youth Festival which started as the Siyabonga Cup back in 2006, is aimed at giving development opportunities to young lads in Newcastle and to address social ills plaguing the community today.

The tournament has been receiving great reviews and extensive coverage from print and electronic media and has also drew sports personalities and well known celebrities over the years.

“I feel fortunate that I was able to be discovered early in my career and got to play football at the highest level but not every youngster growing up in the outskirts of Newcastle is as fortunate. The Youth Festival is an intervention to close the gap. Every year we have a theme that addresses a social ill and this year is no different as we tackle the issue of substance abuse afflicting the youth,” said Nkosi.

“By making it a Festival it is not only about football. Youth in Newcastle and surrounding areas that have other interests will be afforded an opportunity to showcase their talents to a wider audience. Football will remain the core activity in the Youth Festival but there is a need to include other elements and incorporate school visits, coaching clinics, life skills workshops, arts and culture and entertainment.”

Nkosi added that the Festival is a way of him thanking the community for the support over the years; “It takes a community to raise a child. I am who I am today because of the support I received from my community and to me this is a way of thanking them.”

“They have stuck with me through thick and thin and I made a commitment to give back to them through this Festival,” added Nkosi.

Dates are as follows:

14- 17 June Siyabonga Nkosi Cup games – Osizweni Stadium, Newcastle. Arts and culture and other performances will take place at the stadium for the duration of the event.

11 June – Senior Citizens Sports Day (organized by unemployed youth) Arbour Park Stadium 11am – 3pm

14 June – Launch Party – eKhaya Restaurant

15 June – Coach’s workshop (specifically for coaches who work with young children)

16 June – Sunday Afternoon Music Chill session – eKhaya Lounge

17 June – U12 football coaching clinics

Footballers and well known celebrities will grace the event with their presence as it has been in the past couple of years. Time will be allocated to the supporters to shoot pictures with their favorite footballers and celebrities including an autograph session. Well-known artists and DJs will perform at the Launch Party and at the Sunday Afternoon Chilling Session.

The Youth Festival would not be possible without the support from many sponsors including Newcastle Municipality, Amajuba District Municipality, Ukhozi FM and eKhaya Lounge.