On the 18th July 2017, Africa Unite partnered with Ajax Cape Town to celebrate Mandela day, which is an international day in honour of Nelson Mandela’s fight for social justice. This day brings together people around the world to fight for social injustice, but also promote peace, reconciliation and cultural diversity.
Together, Africa Unite and the Ajax Training Facility organized friendly soccer matches for children coming from the underprivileged communities of Delft, Belhar, Gugulethu and Nyanga.
The purpose was to give these children the opportunity to play at the Ajax Cape Town training facility, and engage with soccer players they see as role models.
The children from the informal settlements came together to play friendly matches in either the under 13 or under 18 years category. They were treated like professional soccer players, and got an opportunity to prepare in the official Ajax changing rooms in the morning, and were each provided with Ajax soccer kits for that day.
PSL player were also there to show support. In the morning they had a meet and greet session with the children, and in the afternoon they gave each child an Ajax gift bag. The day ended with a fun-filled photo shoot with the children raising their flags and smiles all around.
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