Mpheni Home Defenders received R15 000 during the gala dinner of the Bruzar Soccer Challenge, which was held on New Years' Day at the Benny's Care hall.
Defenders won the soccer challenge, adding to their winnings when they became the champions of the Gwede Mantashe and Matsila Soccer Challenge in December last year.
During the gala dinner, Prof Alfred Nevhutanda of the Prof Nevhutanda Foundation explained the plans for his foundation. He mentioned that they focused on education, sports, arts and culture, economic and rural development, as well as business and leadership development. "In education, we will be developing governance, classroom practice and the provision of resources."
Concerning classroom practice, "the foundation will do teacher training in critical subjects, sound classroom-management skills, better understanding of the curriculum, increase subject knowledge and learner assessment," Nevhutanda said. He also mentioned that the foundation would sponsor township or village sports tournaments, supply sports kits where needed and even hold sports clinics.
About the arts, Nevhutanda said that they would promote choral music, sponsor the establishment of community-based orchestras and promote traditional music and dance.
"In business and leadership development, the foundation will be empowering seminars, provide support for community-based activities, do mentorship programmes and will also provide a special focus on women and the youth," he added.
Mr Rudzani Mamphaga, the managing director of the Bruzar group and the sponsors of the event, said his company was happy to be able to contribute towards the development of sport and education in the rural areas. "This is part of our company's mission of giving something back to the community. We hope other companies will learn that it is important to reward members of the community."
The president of the Makhado Local Football Association, Mr Takalani Maphaha, said the Vhembe region´s people were very grateful for the sponsorship of the tournament. He pointed out that sport was the most effective way to draw the youth away from gangsterism, drugs and alcohol abuse."
Mpheni Home Defenders went home with R15 000, two soccer kits, a floating trophy and gold medals, while the runners up and defending champions, Baroka FC, received R10 000, silver medals and two soccer kits. Madombidzha Celtic, who ended third, received R5 000, bronze medals and two soccer kits. Muralani United Brothers (fourth), received R4 000 and two soccer kits. The four teams who were beaten in the quarterfinals were given a soccer kit and R1 000 each.
The netball team from Ravele was the champions and they collected R1 000 and a floating trophy. Tshiozwi Dynamos (second) received R500 and Western (third) went home with R200. The Tshilwavhusiku Razwimisani Special School and Tondalushaka Home-Based Care received R1 000 and R500 respectively as donations from the organisation.