United visit the Poorest of the Poor

Maritzburg United as part of their social responsibility and talent identification programme spent a day in Hibberdene on the Kwa Zulu Natal South Coast.


They visited Sibongimfundo High School which is 11 km from Hibberdene.

The majority of the of the families the area are unemployed and it is classified as a Decile 1 area, which means the poorer of the poorest community school.

United’s reach out programme on the day included a Coaching Workshop for the Teachers from the Ugu District Scottburgh Circuit. This Workshop was coordinated with Mr. Dlamini the School’s Sports Organizer and coaches were handed Coaching Books as their guide to coaching. The climax of the day was Sibongimfundo’s first team and the Maritzburg United Academy side, with the United outfit running out easy winners 7-4. There are two players from the Sibongimfundo school team that showed promise and will invited to have trials with the Academy team.

For United the result had no bearing but the reality of being in the poverty stricken area was a message for our Youth side and to see how the youth of this area cope with daily battles such as transport, school stationery and full bellies, said the Head of Development, Katz Naidoo.

It is only in April 2009 that the Department of Education started a feeding programme which the learners really appreciated.Against the odds they still managed a 75% Matric pass rate, said the Principal of the School, Mr. Mkhoma.

The learners feel privileged that Maritzburg United visited their school and was impressed with the Academy players discipline and performance and it is our hope that we can foster a partnership, added a visibly excited Mr. Dlamini. This visit has given our aspirant players the opportunity to work hard to gain entrance to the United Academy.

Naidoo in his motivation speech to the learners and teachers at the workshop said it is about one’s talent times the investment that will equal one’s strength.

Maritzburg United Academy team pose with the First Team of Sibongimfundo High School in green and white. United win 7-4.