Nkosinathi Hlela

The Mixed Gender League at the Health Academy has made a difference in the lives of many of the youth who were part of the league: from players, to supporters, to family and friends. We have 64 children that are part of the league and attend the Health Academy weekly in order to participate in the league and access services. These children act as ambassadors of healthy living in their own schools and are firmly part of the WhizzKids United family.

It was with much sadness that we received a call notifying us about a loss of one members of the MGL. His name was Nkosinathi and he was twelve years old. Nkosinathi had lived with his gogo and sister, as he had already lost both his parents to HIV and AIDS.

The 19th was a very emotional day when we heard that Nkosinathi was killed at his home for a cell phone. He was discovered in an outbuilding toilet by his neighbour. He had been stabbed to death.
The school principal urged all children to attend counselling sessions at the Health Academy as it would be important as part of the healing process. The WhizzKids United staff will continue to offer their support for the community and Nkosinathi’s family.

May his soul rest in peace.

Overview of the pitch at the WhizzKids United Health Academy in Edendale

After the first 4 games of the WhizzKids United Mixed Gender League, hosted at the WhizzKids United Health Academy in Edendale, were played over 30 goals have been scored. I am amazed by the brilliant goals and the celebrations of the visiting fans during the games. The number of spectators was marvelous; more than 100 kids attended the matches to support their teams by dancing and singing on the sidelines of the pitch. The WhizzKids United Mixed Gender League practices the FIFA Fair-Play rules. This is demonstrated before and after the match by the players exchanging handshakes and taking responsibility of the rules they have set before the league started. I did not expect such good teamwork between girls and boys and the amount of goals scored by females during the first week of action.  

In the following months we hope to reach our target of getting all of the eight involved schools, player as well as fans, to attend the services offered at the WhizzKids United Health Academy, such as HCT (HIV Counseling and Testing), OVC (Orphans and Vulnerable Children), feeding schemes, Life Skills programs, medical services, HIV/AIDS treatment and support group to make sure the kids practice a healthy lifestyle.

I am very excited about what is going to happen during the following weeks and looking forward to the upcoming games at the WhizzKids United Health Academy.