Just when you thought the dust had settled and common ground had been reached regarding the Herzlia-debacle, there is now another twist in the tale.
Up until recently, it was reported that the under-14 Kay Motsepe Western Province champion, Herzlia High School, had accepted its fate by not participating in the provincial final this upcoming weekend in Saldanha, but No Bones with Jones can divulge that this matter is “turning into something else,” according to a reliable source.
“There is a provincial meeting today that will decide the fate of Herzelia because they wrote to Dr. (Patrice) Motsepe, president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), who is the administrative and controlling body for association football on the continent,” said the source.
“Dr. Motsepe contacted Dr. Jordan to sort out the matter. So, we are going to know after the meeting what the way forward will be,” the source concluded.
This is in stark contrast with Herzlia’s response to No Bones with Jones on Wednesday whereby the Jewish community school indicated that they have ‘accepted’ their fate in their response adding that “valuable lessons have been learnt.
Herzlia’s appeal to the football controlling bodies, the Western Cape Education Department and the broader society was ”to not only consider Muslim and Christian schools, but all other faiths (including Jewish, Seventh Day Adventist, etc.).”
They were going to represent the Cape Metro province at the provincial finals taking place this weekend (22 to 24 September) at the Saldanha Bay Stadium.
However, these dates clash with their religious calendar as it happens to coincide with Sabbath – a religious period where Jews are not allowed to participate in any other activity except prayer and worship.
The school has in turn written to the Western Cape Education Department to have their fixtures rescheduled to Sunday (24 September), however, the WCED responded that due to logistical reasons, it was unfortunately impossible to make alternative arrangements at the 11th hour.
These developments meant that the under 14 WP runner-up Itsitsa Primary school would represent the Cape Metro at the finals from Friday (tomorrow) till Sunday.
However, the Mfuleni-based school is now further in limbo as they have been on ‘standby’ for a while now not knowing what the way forward is.
No Bones with Jones will be sure to keep a close eye and ear on how this will play out – watch this space!
