The end of the 2020/21 Premier Soccer League season marked the beginning of a new era in the history of Kaizer Chiefs, Vodacom and the Kaizer Motaung Jnr Foundation, as the three entities united around the common goal of working together on the field to feed hundreds of families during this difficult period in history.

At the beginning of the season, an initiative known as ‘Score for Food’ under the Sisonke Siyawina campaign, meant that for every goal Chiefs scored during this past season, Vodacom donated R5 000 to help feed needy families through the Kaizer Motaung Junior Foundation.

The two Vodacom sponsored football clubs, Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates, came together at the Soweto Cricket Oval in June, as players from both clubs turned out en masse to pack 850 non-perishable food parcels to the value of R335 000 for families in need in this winter season, and on the back of the still debilitating Coronavirus pandemic.

On Friday, the Kaizer Motaung Jnr Foundation, Vodacom and Kaizer Chiefs visited two schools in Soweto to donate food parcels to the needy pupils and their families. The schools are Emzimbuvu Higher Primary in Meadowlands, headed by Ms Mashudu Nkanyange, and Emshukantambo Secondary School in Pimville, led by Mr RK Masemola.

The Kaizer Chiefs team was represented by players who contributed with goals in the season, including Lebogang Manyama who scored 8 goals, Happy Mashiane who contributed with 4 goals and Dumsani Zuma with a goal.

Both schools received 210 food packs each. Included in the food parcels were Mielie meal, cooking oil, canned beans, sugar, flour, rice, tea, samp and canned fish.

“We are proud and thankful to Vodacom for this incredible initiative,” said Kaizer Motaung Jnr, Kaizer Chiefs Sporting Director and Chairman of the Kaizer Motaung Jnr Foundation. “We have brought food that will help the communities in Soweto, but we are also here at the two schools to bring hope to these young kids. Many of our players come from these backgrounds and we came with players to show the young learners that with hope and determination, a lot can be achieved.”

The two Soweto schools produced Kaizer Chiefs’ assistant coach Arthur Zwane, who in his younger days attended Emzimbuvu Higher Primary while growing up in Meadowlands. Three youngsters Sabelo Radebe, Lebohang Lesako and Njabulo Blom, were learners at Emshukantambo a few years ago.

“Some people have lost their jobs due to the pandemic and other things and we are happy that we were able to provide some basic food parcels that will help feed families and motivate the young boys and girls to work hard and better their families’ lives. We know conditions in most of our townships and rural areas and have also seen how the pandemic has affected these families, and it is vital for us to help them,” said Kaizer Chiefs attacking midfielder Lebogang Manyama.

Kaizer Motaung Jnr was thankful to Vodacom for the initiative and concluded by saying: “This puts everything into perspective. Here we are living our dream of professional football, but out there people are dealing with what real life throws at them daily. To have a partner like Vodacom step up at such a crucial time and use the unifying aspect of football in such a positive way is a great initiative. This is a responsibility we have as a club. We have to not just give back, but be a part of building back in our community. It’s about our connection as people and something we should take forward.”