Transvaal Cricket Development Programme Mentoring Project (12 Aug 1997)

August 12 1997

Transvaal Cricket Development Programme Mentoring Programme

Media Release

A unique mentoring project was recently launched by the Norwich Life Transvaal Cricket Development Programme.

The project entails matching established cricketing personalities with emerging players from disadvantaged communities in a mentor/protege programme to help the youngsters' development in both playing and life skills.

Imtiaz Patel, TCB Schools and Development General Manager said, "The project had its roots in the discovery that while youngsters from disadvantaged communities soon learnt cricketing skills, they were held back by the terrible traumas of life in the townships created in the main by the apartheid era.

"Apartheid was designed to create a sense of inferiority among people of colour, and this has led to a lack of confidence and self-esteem among the generation of the youth that are now in our cricketing programme.

"It was decided, with the support of Norwich Life, to match our most promising development youngsters with established cricketing personalities in a relationship designed to help the overall growth of these lads.

"The first intake involved 15 proteges and their mentors and for several months they have followed a specially-designed programme which led to them mixing continuously in life in general with extraordinary, positive results."

One of the mentors, former South African allrounder Hugh Page, said, "I think I learnt more from my protege, Welcome Plessie.

"For the first time, he opened my eyes to township left and just how much these kids need basic human warmth and support. For me, the experience has brought a sense of humility, a sense of warmth and a spirit of healing."

Plessie said his life had been changed through his new relationship with Page and his family.

"I was scared of white people, and I did not know how to overcome this. I have learnt to love and I have learnt that inside me I have the strength and ability to be a winner."

The programme was designed by Dr Andre Roux, a sports psychologist, who said, "We have brought about very personal encounters which has brought unity through different cultures and has engendered a sense of hope and warmth."

Gerald Ritchie, chairman of the Transvaal Cricket Board, said, "This programme goes way beyond the actual playing of cricket. It has brought an exhilarating sense of purpose to our development programme which allows young people from disadvantaged communities to grow both on and off the cricket field.

"This mentoring programme is unprecedented in South African sport, and I would like to thank Norwich Life for making this initiative possible."

Charles Davies, Chief Executive Officer of Norwich Holdings, said, "We are proud to be associated with a meaningful programme such as this. It is the kind of genuine cross-cultural interaction that is needed to build a new nation.

"We cannot do this at arms length, we have to reach out and embrace each other, particularly those young people who are going to be our future leaders."

The mentors and their proteges are:

MENTORS PROTEGES

Adrian Norris Mzwakhe Ghavala Andrew Hall Johnson Mafa Wim Jansen Daniel Molefe David Bacher & Adam Bacher Mpho Sekhoto Dean Laing Solomon Ndima Douglas Gain Bharat Parashothum Neil McKenzie Kent Klink Andrew Kramer Jody Williams Hugh Page Welcome Plessie Nic Pothas Glen Zondani Clive Eksteen & Bruce McBride Sonnyboy Letshele & Piet Lephoi Wayne Kidwell Siphiwe Mazibuko Grant Elliott Enoch Nkwe Philip Hearle Reggie Seane

Source:: Transvaal Cricket Board