MAKHADO (LOUIS TRICHARDT) - Black Leopards, the town's own professional football sensations and Premier Soccer League players, have come out strongly against farm attacks and will liase with farmers.

"I think the farm attacks are horrible and something to be looked at urgently," said Jerry Sikhwivhilu, striker of the team. Mr Guy Hedderwick, general manager of the team came up with the innovative idea of an agreement between the Black Leopards Football Club and farmers of the area. Black Leopards soccer players will hold motivational talks with farm workers, addressing them on the benefits of hard work and honesty.

They will motivate workers not to steal from the farmer. Farmers will from time to time get some free tickets, which may be used to motivate workers to perform better. In return, the farmers will supply produce for consumption of the Black Leopard players only.

"When I was driving on the road outside Polokwane, I saw the crosses put up next to the road for every farm murder in South Africa. The crosses stretch for about ten kilometres on both sides of the road. We wondered how we could put a positive spin on this situation," Hedderwick said. While farmers have to concentrate on the security issue, this popular soccer team may make a contribution by making public announcements against farm attacks and by holding workshops on farms.

Black Leopards are among the top four soccer teams in the country in terms of their supporter base. They have 150 000 supporters that they know of, a number that could even be higher.

"The players have a lot to teach the world out there about teamwork and hard work," Hedderwick said. With the season just started, Black Leopards have won both their home games and currently occupy the ninth place on the log, with the same points as the team in the seventh place.

All the farmers that Hedderwick have spoken to so far, are very positive about the idea of an agreement between the Black Leopards and the farmers. Philip Potgieter, of the farm Vlakfontein, said that he was happy to supply the team with fresh produce to ensure that they get a balanced diet. Other farmers that Guy Hedderwick has spoken to, include Chris James, Alan White, Gordon Muirhead and Andrew Smit. A general meeting with farmers will be arranged.