Bukho Hani, left, and Brooklyn Tewe, right, together with Team manager and Eastern Cape rugby stalwart Lucky Mange
The Foundation’s Mzwandile Mali Schools Rugby Tournament, which took place in March, saw the selection of about 22 players as part of the Mzwandile Mali XV for 2024. The group has been invited by the Sevenoaks Rugby Football Club (RFC), in England, to a week of rugby festivities from 04-14 October 2024.
The players will be participating in selected prestigious local rugby tournaments and training camps ahead of their once-in-a-lifetime tour to the UK.
The rugby camp, which took place over the winter school holidays, was preceded by an initial one in April, and will be followed by another in September. It took on an integrated approach that includes academic, cultural and wellness elements, in addition to rugby training, in a bid to prepare the players for the week-long festivities in the UK.
The Lincoln Mali Leadership Foundation’s founder, Lincoln Mali, said their resolve towards rugby development in township schools was inspired by his father, Mzwandile Mali, whose rugby team, the Orientals, was established in 1894.
“Rugby in townships and villages of the Eastern Cape has been played for more than a century. Inspired by my father, Mzwandile Mali, I started a rugby tournament for township schools. This year the tournament was played by 24 schools and involved 528 boys from townships in Gqeberha, Kariega and KwaMaqoma (formerly Fort Beaufort),” he said.
The tour will include games and visits to prestigious schools such as Brighton College, Tonbridge School, Sutton Valence School, and the Sevenoaks Junior team.
“How fitting it will be for these young boys to go to England wearing the colours of the Orientals Rugby Club 130 years after it was formed. Each one of these boys, from some of the most disadvantaged areas in the Eastern Cape will have an opportunity to showcase their skills and talent in front of coaches and scouts from universities and established schools in England,” said Mali.
Madibaz Sport director, Vuyo Bongela, said when approached by the Foundation to collaborate on this initiative, it was a no-brainer as it was aligned to the University’s service orientation.
“Madibaz Sport receives many requests for collaboration, but the Lincoln Mali Leadership Foundation’s request was different. It was long ranging and it resonated with Mandela University’s posture of being in the service of society,” she said.
“The Eastern Cape is often referred to as the home of black rugby and with the inspiration from the current Springbok squad, which consists of some EC-born players, it has revived hope that there is talent in the rural areas and townships of the Eastern Cape.
“The Mali Foundation seeks to unearth that talent. Furthermore, retaining these players in the Eastern Cape is vital for the growth of rugby in the province.”
Bongela said for Mandela University, as an academic institution, the partnership is multi-layered, rendering psychological support and career pathing, strength testing and player camps and coaching in preparation for the trip to the UK in October. These are done with the support of the office of the University’s Dean of Learning and Teaching and the Madibaz High Performance Complex (HPC).
Mzwandile Mali XV team manager and EC rugby stalwart, Lucky Mange, said he wants the players to think globally as they will be going abroad, adding that it is not only about the players’ performance on the field, but also their conduct outside.
“Your preparation must meet the occasion,” he said, cautioning that talent, alone, will not guarantee success.
The players were excited about the opportunity ahead, which would be the first time they will be travelling abroad.
Team captain, Bukho Hani (17), of Thubalethu High School, said it was an honour for him to be entrusted with the leading the team.
“I am grateful to the Foundation for the opportunity, and to Mandela University for providing us with training equipment, coaches and other tools which will help us succeed,” he said.
“This is also a big opportunity for us to showcase our talent, and to get exposure, which could help us reach our dreams of being professional rugby players.”
Brooklyn Tewe (17), of Bonzai High School, started playing rugby in Grade 6 and will be going overseas for the first time. He dreams of playing professional rugby after matriculating.
“I really appreciate what the Lincoln Mali Foundation is doing for us. It is a great privilege for us to play these big games overseas, which will ultimately sharpen our skillset and mindset,” he said.