some of the boys displaying their shoes at Nkonjane primary

The visit to Nkonjane primary schools co-incided with the call by education authorities to promote regular physical activitiesamong pupils . The donation of the soccer boots to kids in the school will go a long way in supporting the call by education authorities.

Msindazwe primary school kids chatting after getting shoes.

The week that was in photos .

Boys and girls from Moses Zikhali



Bongani Zikhali



Mbazwana is 10 minutes drive from the most popular and beautiful beach in Isimangaliso Wetland Park called Sodwana. It attracts people from all over the country who wants to snorkeling , diving and deep sea fishing . Moses Zikhali and Mpiyakhe High Schools are in the vicinity of this beautiful beach. That was our next destination to deliver the shoes to the learners of the two schools.

One learner , Bongani Zikali in the picture above was so thrilled to get the shoes , he said his dream of playing football during summer holidays is being fulfilled.

Mpohpa learners in full uniform with their soccer boots



Somfula learners very esctatic after receiving the shoes

 Yesterday we took a field trip on a dirt bumby road to Mbopha and Somfula High Schools. Its beautiful driving along the valleys of Mansiya and crossing rivers with low level bridge. The journey becomes an adventure. The interesting part about the two school is that they compete in everthying , can be sports, academic results, etc.

Both schools have interesting reading about them . Mbopha high school was named after Mbopha kaSithayi the aide of the Great King Shaka , the founder of the Zulu nation, and so is Somfula high was named after the Chief of Hlabisa clan who was the initiator of the Somfula high school.

youth listening tentatively to the speech



After the speeches excitement galore




youngsters playing barefoot before getting shoes

 During the weekend we took a field trip to ward 5, a rural community up in the mountains east of Hluhluwe Town. Our venue was Ezibayeni soccer field to meet the youth of the ward. Some have walked up to 5 miles to get to the venue to receive  soccer boots. Soccer is the most popular sport in the area; this is one event that brings a lot of youth together

Nhlahlayethu learners displaying their boots with joy

 Follow the steps in pictures.

Phumanyova High School soccer girls ready to kick off in style

Mondli Myeni, a young man and the future Bafana Bafana player, he cant wait to kick the ball on his shoes something he has been looking forward too for sometime

Here we go,here we go Phumlani Sivananda Primary learners. The future stars of  Hluhluwe in sports and education.

This is one of those very special days for young people of Safari Primary School,  They are now looking forward to kick the ball with their shoes

Ncwabakazi learners showing their boots

Esibhojeni is located west of Hluhluwe Town. This area is known for the warmth and hospitality of its people. Football is part of the everyday life of most children. When it rains they  play, when they are hungry they play and when they are happy they play football. Many of the Sibhojeni  children dream to become better people tomorrow. When learners of Ncwabakazi and Khongela received the soccer boots, it was a dream come true.  Learners were waiting since the morning looking forward to getting shoes.  “I will wear my shoes everyday not just for soccer but also for  coming to school '' said one of the learners. “Ngiyabonga kakhulu!!!!!!!!!!” thank you very much in IsiZulu.

An aloe tree symbolises the dryness of the area

Three more primary schools have been added in the steps . The joy and excitement was unbelievable from the learners . This schools are in deep rural and remote areas of this region , the area is very dry and difficult to access . The boots has brought more life to the learners and it is very exciting.

some of the learners happy after receiving shoes

Statement from Star For Life Director, Siphile Mdaka

Today, 3200 young people of South Africa  have received footbal shoes, this is  part of nurturing talent...football is the day to day life of many young people (both boys and girls) in our communities..and they play on bear foot and some use plastic hand made soccer balls

Some of us take things for granted, however when you see the realities you understand the impact this project has made to many of them

I want to acknowledge everyone who has made this possible, and to encourage our young people to use this opportunity to develop their talent even further

Starforlife - a nation builder

Macabuzela primary students very happy after receiving shoes.

Indeed a nation builder , we are creatinng champions for the future , taking resources to where they are needed the most . The picture above bears testimony of that.

Happy students from Mduku High school

We are really moving up the steps last week we reached our 21st High school and 9 primary schools , it is going very very fast .



Stars in the making.

From humble beginnings today we are watching them they will be watching us playing , is it great to see the future stars.The joy from the youngsters above couldnot be explained , they were lining up to receive shoes .

If you walk step by step you can reach anywhere you want to go , Yesterday the beneficiaries were two primary schools Makhowe and Nompondo . It touches your heart to see small kids appreciate the gifts.

Part of the vision and mission of  Star For Life is to inspire youth to believe in their dreams . As you can see in the picture above the youth of oPhaphasi near Godloza celebrating after getting the boots.

Step by step we will reach the top of the stairs three more schools from Nongoma i.e Banzana , Mandlakazi and Prince Bhokwe were the beneficiaries of the shoes.

Yeterday we travelled to a small community of uPhaphasi area just outside Hlabisa town . The girls were eager to see what will happen since we were delivering shoes to local clubs not the school . The teams have been waiting for us since 9am and we arrived just after elleven . The joy from the teams was unbelievable , imagine playing bare foot on the pitch with no grass and today your life will change after getting one pair of shoes. The total beneficiaries were 69 players consist of boys and girls . The day ended at 14h00 with a lot of jubilation from the players.

Adrive north towards Nongoma next to the King Palace, His Majesty the King Zwelithini Goodwill was our next stop to deliver the shoes to three schools. The beneficiaries are Mchitheki, Phumanyova and Nhlahlayethu. We were met by enthusiastic students who were eager to receive the shoes.

Friday 17/9

Today we have been to Cwakeme High School, in Hluhluwe. And here you can see a teacher telling the students whats going to happen.

Some of the students that received a pair of shoes.

Some more...

...

That is all for today, we will continue with the work next week!

Thursday 16/9

Dlilanga High School, in Hlabisa was todays first stop. Here are some of the curious students wondering what is going on.

And this is afterwards when they have gotten their shoes.

 

 

The second school for today, Qakwini High School also in Hlabisa.

The girls soccer team.

 

The boys soccer team.

 

The second girl soccer team.

 

The second boys soccer team. 

 

The last school for today, Kufezekile High School, in Hlabisa as well.

The happy principal with all the shoes, before the share-out to the students.

 Both girls and boys soccer team.

 

Some more boys

 

All for today, tomorrow we will continue with some schools in Hluhluwe.

Wednesday 15/9

Today we had to go a bit longer to reach the school Zenzeleni Mashamse High School in Empangeni.

Here are some of the stundents that helped carry the shoes, together with
the Star for Life crew and the principal of the school.

The girls netball team with their new shoes.

One of the soccer teams.