The parallels between the Cape Metro’s Kay Motsepe School Championship under-14 winner, Herzlia High, and the runners-up, Itsitsa Primary, could not be more striking – yet their current situations are undeniably contrasting.
Herzlia’s principal Shane Brorson has described their historic feat of winning the district final as the “proudest moment in their schools sporting history.” This was also the first time they played in this competition.
However, due to their Jewish beliefs (holy period of Sabbath) they will not have the opportunity to represent the Western Cape at the provincial finals in Saldanha Bay this weekend. That is really unfortunate.
This “honour” and “privilege” now befall Itsitsa from Mfuleni, who will now be flying the flag at the provincials this weekend on the West Coast.
Their principal, Hazel Peters, shares exactly the same sentiments as her Herzlia counterpart, as they too, are debutants in this competition.
“Whatever happens at the (provincial) finals over the weekend, they have already made history and that is what makes us so proud,” Peters told No Bones with Jones.
“It is a crazy moment for our school as they are now putting our school on the map with their soccer talent. For us, it is an honour and privilege to now represent our province.”
Peters emphasized that the soccer team is a real inspiration for other learners and sporting codes at the school.
“I can honestly say that kids are sacrificing their time every day, even weekends they are having their practices with the coach and some other teachers,” Peters further explained.
“When it comes to soccer, they always want to be there, you know. That is why, as the principal of the school, I have to sacrifice the budget to do something only for them because of their commitment. I always remind them there is always hope especially if they work hard. They are now at the provincials and if they win there, they will go to Gauteng (national finals).
Meanwhile, the school’s soccer coach Mandla Matafeni added to his principal’s sentiments that they will do everything in their might to strive for success.
“My dream is for at least one of the boys become a soccer star in the future,” said Matafeni. “The boys are making a lot of sacrifices,” Matafeni concluded.
4 Responses
This is a non story due to the fact that Herzlia are not competing because of the fact that the organisors of this competition were unwilling to move the tournament by one day. Logistics is the excuse yet the Regional tournament had so many changes to venue and dates that one wonders if there is not in fact another reason for being so inflexible. Surely having the tournament on the Sunday in Saldana Bay would not have been such a big deal. One should bare in mind that the players from Herzlia also trained tirelessly to achieve what they did only for their chance to cruelly be taken away – we are a long way off from being an inclusive society when one teams religion doesnt weigh up against others.
As a parent of one of the u14 Herzlian players that unfortunately were denied the opportunity to play in the provincial final I want to wish the players from Itsitsa the best of luck. Go out there and make the Western Cape proud!!
As a parent of one of the u14 Herzlian players that unfortunately were unable to play in the provincial final I want to wish the players from Itsitsa the best of luck. I know you have put in so much effort and sacrifice. Go out there and make the Western Cape proud!!
I read the sentiments echoed by the Herzlia parents, as a former teacher at the Herzlia Senior High School. They have big hearts coupled with a wonderful spirit. It was such a massive sadness when my contract ended there [1999].