About 50 children received an early Christmas this year, thanks to the Department of Sport Studies at DUT and Whizzkids United; a HIV prevention and youth development NGO that seeks to help disadvantaged pupils in rural schools.

The partnership which recently resulted in three Durban primary schools donating 105 pairs of shoes as well as new blankets; courtesy of Sheet Street started around March this year.

Children from the three privileged schools; Brighton Beach Senior Primary, Yellowwood Park Senior Primary and Fynnland Senior Primary donated the shoes during a soccer tournament with a difference. The children, who donated their shoes before the game, faced off on the soccer pitch bare foot. Approximately 50 pupils participated in the tournament which took place at Grosvenor Boys High School, Bluff.

Whizzkids United Marketing Manager Stefan Kunze said the partnership was also fruitful for DUT’s final year students because they networked with possible future employers, adding that he hoped that the relationship would bare accomplish bigger and better results in the near future.

Mfundo Mdabe third-year Sport Management student said there are things that one never learns in a text book, like thinking on your feet which is often hard. “I had a great time. I had a chance to interact with the kids and help them with the problems they are facing”, he said.

– Nomvula Sikakane

Caption: Sport Management lecturer Gregory John Glossop, Faculty of Applied Sciences Executive Dean Professor Darren Lortan, Whizzkids Marketing Manager Stefan Kunze, third-year Sport Management students Mfundo Mdabe and Johnross Jones.