Daily Archives: October 9, 2024

NWU Soccer Institute Manager Made It To The Top

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Picture: The NWU Soccer Institute Manager, Dr Dr Vuyolwethu Sambo/Supplied

By OBAKENG MAJE 

9 October 2024- The NWU Soccer Institute Manager, Dr Vuyolwethu Sambo (36) said prodigious attributes are required to be a great manager. Sambo said as a manager, one deals with day-to-today issues and good leadership, tactical knowledge and eye for talent will come in handy. 

Sambo, who is a former player and originates from Nelspruit in Mpumalanga Province said he decided to focus on his studies due to uncertainties surrounding soccer players’ career. 

“I was exposed to the North West University (NWU) as a student and also as a player. So, I saw another life through studies and decided to focus on my academics. So, I resisted all offers that came my way as a player and focused on my academics. 

“I looked at the lifespan of football and realised that most of my peers will play soccer, but two years down the line, they will be out of contracts and end up in the wilderness,” he said. 

Sambo said he comes from a poor background and through academics, he can be able to take care of his family. He further said as a manager, they wanted to have stability within the team. 

“We also looked at the recruitment issue. We had an idea of what type of players we needed to recruit to make the NWU Soccer Institute a force to reckon with. We need players who are goal-driven, dedicated, disciplined and dedicated. 

“We need players who will fight for the badge of the institution and die with their boots on the ground. The institute is dedicated to develop not only soccer talent, but also well-rounded individuals who contribute academically and professionally,” added Sambo.

He came to the NWU back in 2007, and enrolled for a Bachelor of Administration Degree after matriculating from the South African Football Association’s Transnet School of Excellence. Sambo’s journey reflects the success of this model. 

“I was one of the first students to join the institute, which opened its doors in 2007, and went on to captain the team that won back-to-back University Sport South Africa (USSA) championships in 2009 and 2010. 

“His teammates included notable players such as Thabo Rakhale, Luvolwethu Mpeta and Boalefa Pule. Since taking over the role of manager, I led the institute to a series of achievements. The team won the Varsity Football title in 2019, reached the final in 2024, and made history by reaching the last 32 of the Nedbank Cup in 2020,” he said. 

Meanwhile, the team also won the North West Province ABC Motsepe League in 2022. Also, under his leadership, the institute has produced several professional players, including Lindani Nkabinde, Mandisi Gadla, and Tshepiso Mahlangu.

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Residents call for accountability over R4m donation 

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Picture: The community members during a meeting

By OBAKENG MAJE 

9 October 2024- The residents of Dryharts village in Taung, call for a remedial action against allegations of corruption and mismanagement in the R6 million donation. According to one of the community leaders, Goitsione Matubako, eight years back, the Impala Platinum Mine in Rustenburg, donated R6 million to the community for the construction of a sports facility. 

Matubako said, however, the sporting facility could not be built because there was no tribal resolution from the Batlhaping Baga-Phuduhucwana Tribal Authority regarding the land. He alleged that a few months ago, their ward councillor, Kagiso Pudule, convened a community meeting and suggested that the money be utilised.  

“So, we agreed that the money should build a school. However, the idea was rejected by the Sekate Boijane school, as they alleged that the North West Department of Education promised to build them a school. 

“Then, we agreed that some of the money will be used to renovate the Dryharts clinic. Indeed, that happened, but as community members, we were kept in the dark during the process,” he said. 

Matubako further said there are now allegations that R1.8 million is missing. He added that, when he requested Pudule to account, he became arrogant and treated them as if they had leprosy.  

“Accountability is essential and will go a long way towards giving the people of Dryharts deserved answers to what became of the money meant to drive development in their area. 

“There was machinery that was bought, but there is no place to put them. The alleged missing R1.8m was supposed to build two roomed for it. So, there is concerning evidence of corruption that undermined efforts to bring development to the residents,” said Matubako. 

Cagey Pudule refused to comment. 

Meanwhile, the Impala Platinum Mine Group Head: Investor Relations and Corporate Communications, Alice Lourens said: “Please note that Impala Platinum Mine cannot confirm any allegations regarding the missing money. However, we have committed to the Department of Minerals Resources and Energy (DMRE) to construct a community hall, but the project was replaced with an access road and capacitation of the Dryharts clinic.

“This change was a joint decision between Impala, the DMRE and the community. The parties could not identify the required land for the construction of the community hall, but also established through engagements that a community hall was built through other means, meaning Impala could do a pre placement project.” 

Lourens said the committed budget of R4 million was used to construct an access road and capacitation of the clinic. She said all the funds earmarked for the project was utilised.

“The total commitment budget was R4m and total spent is R4.4m. Total spent for the clinic is +- R3.3m excluding road works, which increased to R 4.4m when the road works was included,” she said. 

Lourens said indeed medical equipment amounting to +-R1.6m were bought and the launch will take place on 18 October 2024. 

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