Msunduzi- Leading construction materials group, AfriSam, kicked-off its second AfriSam Ima Nathi Soccer Development Program in association with the South African Football Association (SAFA) and Msunduzi Local Football Association on the 22nd of October.

To celebrate the launch of the program, local community members were invited to a celebrity-filled opening game at the Northdale stadium between AfriSam employees and a local SAFA team, each team supplemented with legends such as as Mbulelo “Old John” Mabizela, Sandile “AK47” Ndlovu,Dumisani “Makhokhoba” Ngwenya, Andile “Sguta” Cele.

Ima Nathi is a SAFA coaching program, implemented by the SAFA regions at Local Football Associations (LFAs) across the country. The focus of the program is to train coaches to develop players – boys and girls - from the ages six to 18 years.

“AfriSam is proud to join as a sponsor of the Ima Nathi program that will provide the foundation of tomorrow’s skilled South African footballers – together building our nation’s football skills from thegrass-roots level up”, commented AfriSam CEO, Rob Wessels.

With AfriSam’s Construction Materials plants operating in the same community as the Msunduzi LFA, it was a natural choice for AfriSam to provide its support to this specific LFA.

AfriSam’s 3-year sponsorship makes provision for the following critical aspects as part of the Ima Nathi program:

• Coaches: all costs associated with the up-skilling of coaches including the various courses to obtain B, C and D-level licences, coaching course educational material and on-field equipment. Skilled coaches will mean better skilled players, which in turn will create biggeropportunities for the Msunduzi players.
• Players: In addition to obtaining technical football knowledge and skills, all players in the Msunduzi LFA will undergo a valuable life-skills program.
• c) Kit: sponsorship of all Msunduzi LFA football player jerseys.

The AfriSam Ima Nathi programme will provide coaches from the Msunduzi LFA with the necessary skills and knowledge to train local football teams. These coaches will in turn train the area’s young, aspirant footballers; keeping them off the streets. While training, players will learn invaluable skills such as leadership, hard work, self-discipline and social skills.

“One of AfriSam’s corporate social responsibility focus areas is youth development. We are excited to, once again, join hands with the local community to create a positive future for our youth and what better way to achieve this than through the passionate sport of football. We look forward to the many future national football team players that will come from the Msunduzi Local Football Association. In the spirit if Ima Nathi we say: stand with us, play your part, get involved”, concludes Wessels.

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ABOUT AFRISAM’S CSR PROGRAMME:

AfriSam has a long history of making a sustainable difference in the communities where it operates.Most recently AfriSam constructed the Nkanyezini Health Post which provides over 8 000 community members with access to vital health care services. Other upliftment projects include the construction of the Honeyville Community Hall and uMsilinga Primary School Hall as well as the renovation of the computer centre and science laboratory at Panorama Primary school.

AfriSam also provides training and development to qualifying enterprises to grow and strengthen their businesses to a level where they can trade with AfriSam and other companies in the area, in turn transferring skills to local community members and creating employment for the youth.

This Press Release was published by Archy Hlahla, Hlengani Communications on behalf of AfriSam.

The Student Development project launched by SACIA in 2019 is already bearing fruit. Mpho Buntse was contracted in early 2019 to manage youth engagement within SACIA, in line with the Association’s vision of addressing the succession and skills shortage issues we experience in the Technical Communications industries. As the Project Manager for Youth Development; Mpho is the liaison point between higher learning institution stakeholders (students, academics and support units like student affairs), and the Association, to launch active chapters within all institutions relevant to the broadcast, film, media, sound, AV and live events sectors.

His role includes all youth engagement aspects of the association, including setting up a Young Professional’s Forum, driving and facilitating networks, community engagement, raising awareness amongst students about the professional designation opportunities available to members and instilling ethical as well as professional conduct amongst youth members.

The initiative is forging ahead with the establishment of on-campus Student Chapters. There are already Chapters on-site at six major Training Institutions around the country, namely: The North West University (Mafikeng Campus), the North West University (Vaal Campus), The Academy of Sound Engineering, AFDA, The University of the Witwatersrand and the University of Johannesburg; with more planned as the platform expands.

The aim is to gain input from these academic institutions and integrate with their offerings to provide the practical components (today commonly known as service learning programme) that make for well-rounded, employable industry-entrants. “Although we only started the process of engaging institutions about 3 months into the 2019 academic year, we have received overwhelming interest from both institutions and students," says Mpho.

“Students within the scope of SACIA’s mandate have demonstrated an eagerness to facilitate a single, non-partisan voice that will see them flourish as ethical professionals, post-graduation. There is a sense of relief that, finally, their sector has a professional body represented by a force of intergenerational, experienced role players, highlighting ethical standards.”

A Youth Development Day at Blandford Manor in April, which hosted champions of the initiative and students from partner institutions, uncovered a healthy appetite for technical development and set the stage for further engagement. As well as being the official launch of the Student Council, the day created opportunities for young people driving transformation in the industry to interact, share challenges faced by the youth and make recommendations on how to advance youth engagement.

It also gave chapter leaders the chance to meet, greet and network with some of the members and board of SACIA. SACIA’s student development plan operates in two ways. The Association, through the Student Chapters, facilitates the placement of Broadcast, Live Event, AV, Media, Film and TV student members with relevant industry players for their Work-Integrated Learning/Service Learning Component while they are still studying, so that the theoretical elements come to fruition on site. It also provides for engagement with industry, opportunities for mentorship arrangements, internship potential and future preferred employment opportunities.

The outcome will be an industry-backed student population, receiving practical support from industry leaders and graduates that are work-ready with access to industry networks. These students can interact with major players and form networks necessary for future partnerships. It gives them access to Mentorship, Work-Integrated Learning, Service Learning and Internship opportunities as well as the chance to hone their leadership skills to contribute towards the vision of the industry.

To make this benefit accessible to this section of the market, SACIA has discounted the Student Council membership fee to R100.00 (ex vat) per annum for Student Members. Already the Academy of Sound Engineering has registered their entire complement of Final Year students as SACIA Student Members, at no cost to the students. Mr. George Hattingh Junior, Director of Marketing and Communications for Academy of Sound Engineering (ASE) provides SACIA with the resources they need to make an impact within the student body.

“ASE is the largest training institution for Audio Technicians and Sound Engineers in South Africa and produces technicians in the Television and Screen Arts field. Our impact on the industry is significant and must form part of the professionalisation of the industry, so we welcome the opportunity to engage with SACIA at this level.” “Although it is still early days, our students have begun talking about the programme and are excited at their prospects.

The realisation that they are part of something bigger than just an institution and that the industry’s professional body recognises them and offers the space for growth and support, is invaluable,” he says.“We are also excited about the possibility of our professional staff to be involved and to gain their professional designations. As SACIA grows and its relevance and impact in our industry becomes more important, we hope to be a part of that successful growth.”

The Student Council anticipates tremendous growth in youth-oriented membership and the development of a SACIA membership that reflects the demographics of the country as well as the changing face of the sector. “We aim to have launched 50% of our national chapters within the first 5 years and to have obtained a clear mandate from the student and youth population about the future of the industry” says Mpho.

“By the end of 2019, we anticipate a fully-fledged Student Council and Young Professional’s Forum as strong components of SACIA. We are at the centre of the fourth industrial revolution, and we need to demonstrate our commitment to addressing the changing face of our future workforce by investing in the youth.”