About 8 years ago, a little boy called Themba Baka hopped on the YB bus collecting older boys for training. He did this out of his own accord because he wasn’t a YB player (yet).
He was way too young to join the training sessions so he kept himself busy collecting balls and kit for the coaches, whilst honing his skills and watching the older boys train from the side of the field.
This went on for the whole season and by the following season, he was ready to start official training with the u12 team. He did not get regular game time, and played mostly off the bench, but with practice, Themba started to show promise.
There was only one solution and that was to find a school to help him flourish. We approached various schools and finally decided on Mondeor Eco School of Skills. With the assistance of kind donors, Themba is now finishing his first year of a 4-year diploma course. Next year he must decide on a specific trade (i.e. electrical, mechanical, building or plumbing) and specialise for three years to obtain his diploma.
With the assistance of a scribe during exams, his marks have improved dramatically (Thanks to the headmistress of the school who suggested the scribe).
It was a masterstroke! It changed his whole life!
Themba is now a strong vibrant 16-year-old, a lot more vocal and confident on and off the field. His football has improved so much so that he plays in a higher age group and he has been invited to train with the Young Bafana senior team playing in the professional ABC Motsepe league.
Themba has worked very hard on and off the football pitch. We at Young Bafana are very proud to be able to witness his wonderful transformation into an upstanding young man, flourishing both academically and as a footballer.
We are proud of you Themba. Keep working hard with a positive mindset and you will achieve great things!
#WeAreYoungBafana #ChangingLives
Discover how Young Bafana Soccer Academy, nestled in South Africa, is passionately embracing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to drive sustainability and equality. By focusing primarily on the first five SDGs—ranging from eradicating poverty and hunger to promoting gender equality and quality education—Young Bafana empowers young athletes while actively engaging with their community.
Are you passionate about sports and soccer with a heart for community upliftment? Then this internship is for you. Young Bafana is in need of an event marketing intern from December 2023 to March 2024. The internship will take place at Young Bafana in Strand, South Africa. Apply now for the experience of a lifetime at one of South Africa’s best soccer academies.
Young Bafana is proud to send 2 of our most promising players, Liqhawe and Donay, to our partner club in France for the opportunity of a lifetime. Liqhawe and Donay will be representing Young Bafana in Europe whilst training with Clermont Foot 63 for a couple of weeks.
On the 29. April, we as Young Bafana Soccer Academy wrote History. We made a sensational impact in their inaugural season by clinching the ABC Motsepe League of Western Cape title. This remarkable achievement is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the team, as well as the strategic guidance provided by their exceptional coach, Ashraf Calvert.
Young Bafana has entered into a partnership with Core sports capital (CSC), a Swiss based company, which owns and manages soccer clubs with a high growth potential with the aim of delivering long-term sporting and economic success. This partnership will create a pathway to Europe for young South African players.
After three years of planning, Young Bafana finally put the local Girls Football in the spotlight by presenting a three day girls camp at their Headquarters in Broadlands Strand. The highlight and face of the camp was none less than Julia Simic.
