Ahisanang Sechaba is a non-profit community-based organization, located in Katlehong, primarily focusing on soccer activities, community services, health awareness & educational programs, and skills development as a method of education and practical skills for the youth. The primary aim of the organization is to provide a platform on which youth can engage, learn, and expound on the skill of footb
all, whilst developing inter-personal skills that aim at molding future leaders equipped with self-drive and zeal, in effect deterring them from vices such as drugs and crime. Within a period of eleven years of its existence, the organization has achieved a measurable amount of success by inculcating six divisions, each comprising a minimum of 24 children, gathered from within the community. Ahisanang Sechaba was founded in June 2011 by Sonti Mofokeng and Rachel Motaung . They along with other non-working mothers, started to help the working mothers by looking after their kids after school. It was during this time that Sonti saw a vision for these kids, a way to keep them busy after school, by introducing them to sports, particularly football. This football was a means to an education in practical skills, to not only offer the kids a platform to enhance their skills, but to deter them from vices they would have otherwise turned to when idle, such as crime and drug abuse. Seeing that the kids quickly took to the sport with passion and finesse, Sonti decided to turn this into a non- profit organization. It is then that she gathered other mothers from within the community, through which the company was registered. It is these mothers who form the committee, guided by the Department of Social Development requirements. The organization started off with an under 15 team. This team was registered under the Katlehong Association Football League (KALFA) in 2012. To date, Ahisanang has now grown and expanded to six divisions. One of the highlights was joining the Katlehong Association football (KALFA) league in 2012. They have now grown and expanded to six divisions. The organization primarily offers football training to youth within the community, from age 10-21. Not only do these youth get to receive free training in football, but they also compete in tournaments, and are grouped in leagues. There are local tournaments, Play-offs, Provincial and JOMO SONO tournaments. Aid is also offered to youth who cannot afford to go to tertiary institutions, by enabling them to attend other workshops such as woodwork, cooking skills and sewing. The organization also encourages after school education by encouraging the senior football players to tutor the younger ones in schoolwork, particularly taking them to the local library and engaging in life discussions, in so doing producing all round students. Life skills are also provided to these youth after football practice. This is done by bringing in external mentors and guest speakers over the weekends, they discuss issues with these youth on how to be better individuals, how to engage with others in society and to fight the stigma of drug abuse and crime. In 2016, the organization was again fortunate enough to receive funding from the Union of Jewish Women, in form of Sports Jerseys and soccer boots for the Under 13 division. The primary source of income for the organization is derived from the pensions in the committee. These are the core funders of the organization. Some of the working Parents donate from their salary. Few local tuck shop owners also donate money, which goes to the transport costs and affiliation fees.
