Developing the next Makhaya Ntini through "Fun Friday" clinics

Algoa FM is the proud media partner to the Makhaya Ntini Cricket Academy's Fun Friday's School Cricket Clinics in Mdantsane.
From top left is Gill Andreas, Baydu Adams, Makhaya Ntini, Jennilee Peremore, Alfie Jay, Carol-Ann Kelleher, Zona Mpendulo

From bottom left is Blondie Makasi, Vinny Nogemane, Charlton Tobias and Daron Mann

click to enlarge

Based on the passion and interest in creating a lasting sporting cricket legacy, The Makhaya Ntini Cricket Academy launched the "Fun Fridays School Cricket Clinics" on 22 July 2014 as an initiative for the 67 minutes for Nelson Mandela Day. The event was held at the Winter Rose Sports Club in Mdantsane.

Fun Fridays School Cricket Clinic Campaign is a platform through which the academy will scout talent with the aim to mentor and motivate these learners from Mdantsane by introducing them to the game of cricket. The cricket clinics will accommodate learners from surrounding townships (Grade 8-12 two Fridays of every month at selected schools in East London and surrounding areas).

Makhaya Ntini's life-long dream was to groom children from previously disadvantaged backgrounds through the game of cricket and education. Having been spotted at a young age as an inexperienced player, Makhaya Ntini went on to become the First Black Test Cricketer in our country and the only black player who has played more than 101 Test Matches for the South African team. Upon retirement Makhaya had a vision to invest his time to nurture black cricketers and to develop a cricket academy. Ntini said, "Each child has a dream to achieve - we just need to create the platforms!"

Michael Kernekamp, Airport Manager: East London Airports Company South Africa said, "Airports Company South Africa's SED (Socio-Economic Development) initiatives have a strong focus on investing in education. This is one of the many ways in which we encourage learners to be excited through fusing sports with their educational learning experience. We are excited with the "Fun Fridays Schools Cricket Campaign" and we look forward to our long term relationship with The Makhaya Ntini Cricket Academy." The aim of the academy is to be a step closer to working with our communities to build South African children to achieve greatness through structured intense coaching sessions, life skills and professional team-building just to name a few.

"In terms of Algoa FM's corporate social investment; education and sport play a key role. We have seen in the history of South Africa, the important role education has played in being a catalyst of growth and development in the country and we have seen first-hand how sport has created unity amongst the different communities. Education and sport therefore go hand-in-hand in building this country. It is for this reason, that we have decided that as the regional radio station broadcasting within the Eastern Cape for the past 28 years to invest in informing our listeners about the impact the Mkhaya Ntini Cricket Academy will make in this region", says Managing Director of Algoa FM, Dave Tiltmann.

This initiative wouldn't be made possible without the help of our proud sponsors Airports Company South Africa, Algoa FM, Border Cricket, and Bellingham and Smith. It seemed very fitting to launch this campaign in July as it is Mandela Month and it is Mr Ntini's way of giving back to the community.