An Inspiring Easter Tournament

For the first time ever there will be an Easter Tournament in a township – not an event for the elite but for the community and it may well be a small beginning but one that could become powerful

It is a long story but an inspirational one and tells of the profits derived from self-help.

The writer is Lincoln Mali, a director of Standard Bank whose operation has over 13 000 employees under him throughout South Africa. He had humble beginnings, as his tournament will have this week but who knows what heights it can reach, helping to resurrect life in a township. He writes on the formation of the Mzwandile Mali Memorial Rugby Festival Tournament

'1. My early rugby memories

'One of the most vivid memories of my early years was when my father, Mzwandile Mali and his friend Nkwenkwana Thomas, took my brother Jb, my friend Ciko Thomas, and myself to a rugby match at Dan Qeqe Stadium. In between their socializing and our playing around, they managed to "lose us" to the dismay of our Mums. We were helped by people who knew them and made it back home….our Mums hid us from them and made them suffer by making them continue to look for us…. This incident, though unfortunate, is one of my earliest experience of golden age of township rugby at the Dan Qeqe, Adcock and Isaac Wolfson Stadiums.

'2. Mzwandile Mali and his legacy

'My father Mzwandile Mali was a keen sportsman who excelled in Rugby, Cricket and Athletics at school and club level. His best sporting years were at Cowan High where he distinguished himself in sports. Rugby in particular was one his great passions and is fondly remembered by his peers for all round rugby skill and acumen.

'As a father he was ever present, strict, inspirational and motivating….he laid a sound foundation for us in education, religion, culture, sports, and general manners and upbringing under some of the most challenging of times.

Mind you, my father was no saint, for long periods in life, he knew "God" only as a prefix to "damn it". With God's grace he eventually died in peace with himself, his family and most importantly his Maker. He had made a huge mark in such diverse areas such as education and youth development; sport (rugby and cricket); school governance; school rebuilding Programmes; choral music; arts and culture and politics and development. He instilled in us a competitive streak; a deep respect for sportsmanship, a passion for success and a drive to always be on top of one's "game". Since his death in 2010, I have sought to walk in his footsteps through honoring the things he was passionate about, namely his broader family, education, culture and youth development by contributing to promoting these around the Eastern Cape. The one area missing was in rugby development.

'3. Rugby development anchored in school's rugby

'My father was highly critical of the current rugby development, particular in the Eastern Cape, the cradle of Black rugby. He firmly believed that a sustainable rugby development programme should entail the following:

    – Dedicated coaches, teachers and administrators;

    – a vibrant and competitive school rugby environment;

    – well organized club rugby steeped in the traditions of the a Eastern Cape rugby culture;

    – individual and corporate sponsors willing to invest for the long term;

    – government support in terms of facilities, curriculum and resources; and most importantly

    – exciting rugby that would bring back the crowds.

'I am determined to play my part in the revival of township school rugby as an integral part of the rugby development process. This is urgent as our children will miss out on our rugby heritage. We were blessed to either watch or be told about such rugby greats as:

'Makhaya Jack, Bhomza Nkohla, Eric Majola, Allastair Coetzee, Mlungisi Nzala, Morgan Cushe, Toto Tsotsobe, Joe Tshume, Seymour Mjo, Lucky Mange, and many others. These greats cannot be forgotten, we must build a lasting monument for them, a thriving schools's rugby and a vibrant development programme.

'In my father's time there were great rivalries between Newell and Cowan High Schools, whilst in my time I participated in great derbies; Mzontsundu vs Masibambane; Mzontsundu vs Thamsanqa; Ithembelihle  vs Newell playing against and alongside the likes of Siseko Tshanga; Namhla Mjo; Xhanti Lamani, Andile Nyembezi, Kevin Mtyeku and many more.

'Both during my father's playing days and mine, the rugby was entertaining; the support was enthusiastic and the organisation was voluntary and enthusiastic. We need to rekindle that spirit, using the little resources at our disposal, utilizing the basic infrastructure that we still have and taking advantage of the experience and insights of former players and coaches. This approach will not wait for hand outs; will not expect world class facilities nor will it wait for the authorities before something is done.

'Two past initiatives spring to mind to support the kind of grassroots movement and effort required :

    – in the 70s, spurred on by the late Dan Qeqe, hundreds of rugby players, supporters and fans, worked over weekends and on their spare times to build the iconic Dan Qeqe stadium to reflect Kwaru's independence and commitment to non racial sports. That stadium is testimony to what is possible with unity, commitment, leadership and sacrifice. That stadium became the bedrock of township rugby; political activism and community projects.

    – in the 80s my father, Mzwandile Mali, mobilized thousands of poor households to contribute R10 a family to rebuild schools that had been burned down during the uprisings in our townships. He managed to convince parents that to wait for the then government to rebuild the schools was short sighted, he passionately argued for self reliance and pride as guiding principles in the fundraising efforts. Through his persistence he managed to raise R3m which was then matched by the then Urban Foundation. Through the Vusisizwe  Trust, they were able to rebuild a number of schools in PE and other areas in the Eastern Cape. These school buildings today stand as a monument to what can be achieved with vision, passion, drive and community initiative.

'5. Mzwandile Mali Easter Rugby Tournament

'Driven by my passion to contribute to township school's rugby revival; the need to preserve my father's rugby legacy and a desire to work with people who contributed to my own development I consulted my former school rugby coach, Mr Theo Pieterse from Ithembelihle High school to put together a tournament for township schools (initially). Mr Pieterse, who has taught and coached at Ithembelihle for more than 30 years had the passion and drive to take this idea and take it to the next level. I asked him to partner with my brother, Xolisa Mali, a well respected sports administrator in the Border area to make sure the family wishes were catered for. These two gentlemen have done so much for sports development in their areas, sacrificing their own time and money, providing transport and accommodation for kids and ensuring that young people develop as well rounded adults. Having been taught by both of them as a student and inspired by their drive and commitment to grassroots sports, I have asked them to organise the first Mzwandile Mali Memorial Tournament.

'The tournament will be played from the 17th-19th April 2014 at the Oval grounds in New Brighton. It will be contested on a knock out basis by the following schools: Mzontsundu Secondary school (I played for them), Thamsanqa High School, Cowan High School (My father played for them), Ithembelihle High school (I played for them), Newell High School (I played for them), Chubekile High School.

'6. Future plans

'The idea is to grow the tournament, finance it annually, involve the rugby and government authorities and attract modest sponsorship. My aim is to link these top schools and players with the rugby Craven Week and with established schools and players. I hope that through this small start we grow into an established route of our players from school rugby to Provincial and National rugby.'