The basketball court at Khulangolwazi Primary School for children with special needs is the third basketball facility sponsored by Sasol. The company has since 2004 supported innovative PeacePlayers International initiatives intended to develop historically disadvantaged communities.

 

Sasol has previously funded a basketball court, coach development programmes and life skills workshops at Carrington Primary School in Glenmore and Merry Hill Primary in Chatsworth.

 

PeacePlayers International, a non-profit organization using basketball as a medium of building communities, developing leaders and raising HIV/Aids awareness, has developed an effective and innovative program meant to break down racial barriers while providing employment and empowering young adults to be mentors of needy and divided youth.

 

Pamilla Mudhray, head of Corporate Social Investment at Sasol, says "the project makes an important contribution to both sports development and HIV/AIDS prevention."

 

The innovative life skills curriculum implemented by PeacePlayers International was developed with various academic institutions, including the Harvard University School of Public Health. The programme has had proven success in Durban communities. Research conducted by the University of KwaZulu Natal in 2003 showed that the initiative was a significant source of participants' knowledge about HIV/AIDS, and had a positive influence on their attitudes towards risky behavior.

 

The full life skills programme has now been introduced to 45 primary schools in the greater Durban area, and 36 courts have been built at schools in Umlazi, Umbumbulu, Wentworth and Chatsworth since 2001. It reaches over 20 000 children and employs more than 90 South African Youth Mentors sourced from local communities.

 

Matt Geschke, Peace Players International Managing Director in South Africa, says that engaging the community in addressing socio-economic issues is a key success factor, as is increasing youth participation in community projects: "Our programme model focuses on training local mentors at the participating schools and encouraging teacher and parent involvement. These leaders are entrusted with ongoing education of thousands of children about preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS."

 

Geschke believes that basketball will be an effective tool to integrate the special needs scholars at Khulangolwazi Primary School with other children: "We alter the pattern of preconceived prejudice by equipping children with the skills and education needed to address the issues that they face. Children with special needs often feel isolated or find it hard to interact with other children. With the Basketball team that we are developing, these children will be able to play against other schools and broaden their scope of interaction."

 

Nellie Kaula, an educator at Khulangolwazi Primary School, is excited about the new court and the impact the programme will have on learners. "I previously taught at Carrington High School when PeacePlayers International partnered with Sasol to build a basketball court there," says Kaula. "I watched the children's confidence, self-discipline and ability to work together blossom, right in front of my eyes. It's amazing how a simple game like basketball can shape a child's character."

 

"PeacePlayers International gained the full support of the Ethekwini Municipality and other key community organizations. The programme has a tremendous impact on learners, inspiring, challenging and leading them through the path of personal development and we look forward to seeing it expand further," says Mudhray.

 

[ENDS]

Issued by:

Tshego Monaisa

Kaelo PR: Brand and Cause Communications

Direct Telephone +27 (011) 563 4946

Cell +27 (0) 845862 282

Email Tshego@kaelowm.com

 

PeacePlayers International Interview Contact:

Matt Geschke

072 206 8553 / (031) 307 2814

 

Sasol contact:

Johann van Rheede

Media Manager

Direct telephone +27 (011) 441-3295

Direct facsimile +27 (011) 441-3236

Mobile +27 (0) 82329 0186

Email Johann.vanrheede@sasol.com