A former youth leader and a local businessman at Shayandima felt there was no better way to celebrate the 99 years of the ANC´s existence than giving back to the community that raised them.

Former youth leader and seasoned cadre Mr Alex Nemakonde, who is now the general manager community services at Vhembe district, and a businessman, Mr Aubrey Mulaudzi (of Aubs Motors), together with a few of their friends, joined hands and staged a soccer tournament as a way of celebrating the organization that groomed them.

The Shayandima Soccer Challenge, as it will be known from now on, was launched the same day that the ANC was celebrating its 99 years of existence in Polokwane. The finals had to be postponed several times because of the continuing rains. The tournament, which had prizes totaling R15 000, ended in style when two winning teams each from men´s and ladies´ soccer received their prizes on Sunday at the Shayandima Secondary School sports grounds.

The two community leaders also announced that the Shayandima Soccer Challenge will be an annual event that will be held during the off-season, to lure the youth from the streets. They also announced a tournament, which will be held in June, that will allow all zonal teams in Shayandima to participate.

Eight teams, four ladies´ and four men’s soccer teams, participated in the competition. In the men’s section, Shayandima Disco Five were crowned the champions after walloping Itsani New Vision 4-0. In the ladies section, Shayandima Morning Stars taught Tshamutshedzi Ladies FC a free soccer lesson when they thrashed them 8-0 in the finals. The winning teams in both the men´s and ladies´ divisions walked away with R2 000, a soccer kit, a trophy and medals for all players. The runners-up in both divisions received R1 000, a trophy and medals for all the players.