Education can change communities like Mitchell’s Plain, with high levels of gangsterism, drug abuse and school dropout rates.
With a population of about two million people, most of them are younger than 35, and still at school.
They may forever find themselves trapped in a cycle of poverty from which they will never escape.
We must give them education and opportunities for a holistic development to become productive members of this community.
As such, I cannot tolerate lies, dishonesty and flawed procedures in the Mitchell’s Plain Local Football Association (MPLFA) who made the Mr Price Soccer League a project to destroy.
In June 2021 MPLFA terminated the membership of the Mr Price League and informed all clubs and officials that they will be suspended if they play in this league.
We were never called to a meeting, given reasons, the opportunity to explain or defend ourselves, which is important in any fair administrative process to ensure good governance.
The Children’s Act creates a number of rights not in the constitution but provides these rights which the child has in the Bill of Rights.
All spheres of government and all officials, employees and representatives of an organ of State must promote and respect the rights of children.
Section 10 states: “Every child of such age, maturity and stage of development is able to participate in any matter concerning their rights and views expressed by the child must be given.”
The department of education, principals, teachers and school governing bodies are legally obligated to respect, protect and promote such rights for children to participate.
Clearly, the MPLFA violates the constitution and Bill of Rights and is acting unlawfully.
They do not suspend players and match officials participating in unsanctioned Sunday Rebel Leagues, as such applying double standards.
SA Football Association (SAFA) at the launch of the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) Football for Schools’ programme states: “football and education are inseparable”.
Schools programme director Fatimata Sow Sidibe speaking at a three-day event in Johannesburg on Wednesday August 24, said it is “also about strengthening the life skills of children, helping the children to be good players and also have all the skills to have a good life.’’
This is in contradiction of what the MPLFA is doing, not forgetting that the Mr Price League’s objective is “development through football for academic excellence”.
What is the Mr Price League doing differently to what FIFA and SAFA have set themselves out to do?
Why does the MPLFA want to destroy something that is working well?
The MPLFA play football week in and out without having anything meaningful to show for it.
On the contrary, the Mr Price League was awarded the national 2009 Mail & Guardian “Invest in the future” and "Drivers of change“ awards in the sports and community development categories.
We made several requests to SAFA Cape Town to resolve this conflict between the MPLFA and Mr Price League but president Bennett Bailey outright refused.
It is this unwillingness to co-operate and work together which has caused football to be in such a mess and we offered our assistance with their midweek football in which all our 16 schools are playing.
Also, SAFA needs to explain which policy states when school football must be played midweek and not on a Saturday?
Clearly there is something sinister and much more than meets the eye.
Xolani Sinyanya, SAFA Cape Town, responds:
Mr Price Schools is not a member of any football structure in South Africa. They are advised by the Western Cape Education Department (WCED), Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport (DCAS), SAFA Western Cape and SAFA national to work with SAFA Cape Town and seek affiliation.
To date we have not received any application from Mr Price Schools for affiliation.
SAFA Cape Town is duty-bound to respond to any dispute pertaining to our members, if such dispute arises.
Due to Mr Price not being a member, therefore there is no dispute.
