-
Soccer ball in the net.
A young man from Mthatha is using soccer to keep young boys off the streets and out of the clutches of crime. He has been doing this for 15 years in the Ngangelizwe township.
The name of Qhawe Masiza’s team is Downtown FC and he believes with enough support he can help more children.
Downtown Football Club gives the young boys something to focus on, other than drugs and crime. The young players dream of playing for the big teams one day.
Coach Qhawe Masiza says kids play across three divisions, and they take turns to play due to a lack of adequate equipment.
Masiza says to him it’s more than just soccer, as the kids also getting support with their school activities.
“These children come from different backgrounds, and some are really struggling. We use this platform for two things: to understand their situations and sport. If we see that a child needs something, we sit as a team and try to assist by buying school uniform or food so that they do not doubt themselves or feel like they are not part of humanity,” he says.
Masiza says that all of the feedback from parents of participating boys is positive.
“Children are no longer engaging the way they used to; their behaviour is commendable. We also teach them that it is not only about football, but that we are also building their character educationally and in general. My children are smart; they are passing at school. I try to motivate them all the time to balance football and school,” he adds.
Player Soyama Dosi was one of the children, who frequented the streets. “The coach is treating us well. Some of us did not know how to play soccer, but he motivated us and assured us that we can do it. He took some of us off the streets and made us aware that being on the streets does not help,” says Dosi.
VIDEO | Concerns over poor state of sports development in rural areas
— SABC News (@SABCNews) March 14, 2026
Relief
Crime is rife in Ngangelizwe. A parent, who wants to remain anonymous, and a resident, Loyiso Gana, say Downtown Football Club has brought some relief.
“Kamva is my brother’s child. He once broke his leg, and the coach used to take him to the hospital. He did that until his cast was removed and he was able to play again. Kamva is a very well-behaved child. I used to be worried because children in this area are using drugs. Some are smoking glue. It is very bad in this area,” says Gana.
“There are a lot of drugs being sold in this area. Many children have been destroyed by drugs in this area. We are happy that this coach is coaching these children, always making sure that after school they are on this field training,” says he adds.
Masiza’s efforts already cultivated success, as some of his players have moved onto bigger clubs, including Bush Bucks and Rangers.
RELATED VIDEO | Promoting local economic development and tourism through sports in rural communities
