A special birthday celebration took on a larger meaning this year as a community-driven sports tournament took place in Bizana, with the goal of bringing local youth together and raising awareness about gender-based violence (GBV). The event, organized by Mfuneko Mthi, was both a celebration of life and a commitment to the future of the younger generation.
Held on December 8th, the tournament provided a positive alternative for young people during the school holidays, a time often associated with risky behavior. Mfuneko, reflecting on his motivation, emphasized the importance of providing a safe and healthy environment for young people, keeping them off the streets and away from negative influences such as alcohol consumption.
“One of the reasons I organized this tournament was to give back to my community, to provide our youth with something constructive to do and help prevent them from getting involved in harmful activities during the holidays,” Mfuneko shared. “At the same time, I wanted to address the issue of gender-based violence and raise awareness among the community.”
The tournament saw spirited competition among local teams, with players participating in two age categories: Under 13 and 19 years and above.
In the Under-13 category, the winners were:
- Angels – 1st place
- 7 Atekers – 2nd place
- Ama 2K – 3rd place
For the 19 years and above category, the competition was fierce, with the final rankings as follows:
- Ama 2K – 1st place
- Superstars – 2nd place
- Amabutho – 3rd place
Reflecting on the event’s success, Mfuneko shared his hopes for the future: “This is going to be an ongoing event every year. Next year, I hope to expand it, bringing in teams from across Bizana and even neighboring towns. I’m also looking for potential sponsors so we can focus on empowering young girls, addressing their social and educational needs.”
For Mfuneko, the joy of giving back to the community is what makes the hard work worthwhile. “For me, this is what makes me sleep peacefully at night, knowing I’m helping to make a difference,” he said.
The tournament not only celebrated sportsmanship but also helped to foster a sense of unity and purpose in the community, with plans for future growth and a deep commitment to supporting young people in meaningful ways.
