•••
HA N D E LSN U U S
JOE MASWANGANYI GROUP EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR (STRATEGY, SUSTAINABILITY &
CORPORATE), VUYO MANTJIE AND JAPIE
FRANSMAN, MANAGER PR AND EVENTS.
SENWES SCHOOLS FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT
unearths talent good
enough for Bafana Bafana
VUYO MANTJIE WILL CELEBRATE HIS 17TH BIRTHDAY ON THE 22ND OF JUNE
THIS YEAR, AND HE WILL BE WELL WITHIN HIS RIGHTS TO LOOK BACK AT HIS
ACHIEVEMENTS SO FAR WITH PRIDE.
W
hile still a primary
school learner at
Tjantjello Primary school in
Bothaville, Vuyo was selected to
represent his school in the Senwes
Schools Football tournament.
The tournament was kicked-off
by Senwes in 2010 as an CSI
initiative to give kids in the
farming communities a shot at
developing their footy skills.
Vuyo has since moved on
to represent South Africa at
U17 International level, facing
Egypt, Botswana, Lesotho
and Tanzania in the Africa
Youth Championship.
“The football tournament is
one of our community initiatives
which we hold dear and has
found passionate support from
participants. Vuyo’s recognition
20
and rise in football as a result of
the tournament is proof that the
initiative has had and continues
to make a positive impact in
the communities where we do
business,” said Japie Fransman,
Senwes PR and Events Manager.
In 2012 Vuyo had a successful
trial at the Harmony Sports
Academy in Virgina near
Welkom and has been based
there ever since. “The Academy
provides us with schooling,
accommodation and of-course
football development,” said Vuyo.
Vuyo, plies his trade on the
right wing or in the position
of striker, says his dream is
to represent Bafana Bafana
at senior level and to one day
play his club football overseas.
“Locally I support Sundowns and
June/July 2015 • SENWES Scenario
internationally I like Barcelona
and Manchester City.”
The up and coming footballer,
who has a set of twin brothers
and one sister, all younger
than he is, paid tribute to the
Senwes initiative. “I’m not sure
if I would have had a future in
football if it wasn’t for the Senwes
Football Tournament. These
initiatives make a big difference
in the lives of ordinary South
Africans like me,” he says.
Vuyo also offered his
opinion about the challenges
faced by Bafana Bafana: “We
have the talent, but we lack
the mental strength.”
Seems like his own mental
strength and talent is what’s
carried him this far, with a
kickstart from Senwes.