VRYBURG – Messages of hope, resilience and youth empowerment took centre stage at the “Kick Out Drugs and Violence” 5-a-Side Soccer Tournament held at Mompati Mall on Youth Day, as community leaders, business representatives and social activists called on young people to choose positive pathways and reject substance abuse.

The tournament, organised by the Just For Today Substance Abuse Support Group in partnership with Mompati Mall, formed part of the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the 1976 Soweto Uprising and sought to use sport as a platform to address pressing social challenges facing local youth.

Speaking during the event, tournament organiser Brian Minnie, who openly shared his journey of recovery from substance abuse, stressed the importance of keeping young people engaged in positive activities.

“A child in sports is a child out of court,” Minnie told attendees.

He said the support group is actively working with school-going children and youth across the community, particularly in areas affected by substance abuse, gang activity and violence.

According to Minnie, the organisation has intervened in ongoing gang-related conflicts and fights among young people in the Colridge area, many of which are fuelled by alcohol and drug abuse.

“Rehab makes you clean, but God keeps you clean,” he said, encouraging young people who may be struggling with addiction or difficult circumstances not to lose hope.

Referring to unemployment as one of the factors contributing to substance abuse, Minnie said it sometimes only takes one phone call, one opportunity or one positive intervention to completely change a person’s life.

“Regardless of what has happened, God can always change the situation,” he said.

Mompati Mall Centre Manager Heinrich Fortuin praised the initiative and encouraged more young people to develop innovative community projects aimed at addressing social challenges.

Fortuin acknowledged that while the mall remains one of the largest employers in the Vryburg area, unemployment among young people remains a significant concern.

“Young people should never give up on their dreams. Find your hustle. Don’t be discouraged. Do things for yourself,” he said.

He encouraged youth to explore entrepreneurship, personal branding and self-employment opportunities as ways of creating their own economic opportunities.

“You need to dream, and you need to believe in your dreams,” Fortuin added.

Addressing participants, Naledi Local Municipality Mayor Cllr C.J. Groep urged young people to focus on education and self-development.

“Do not allow your circumstances to determine where you want to go in life,” he said.

The mayor described education as one of the most powerful tools available to young people, saying it is something that can never be taken away from them.

“We must not compete to hate each other; we must compete to love each other,” Groep told the crowd.

He also called on businesses, community organisations and other stakeholders to support initiatives such as Just For Today’s substance abuse awareness programmes.

The event combined sport, awareness campaigns and motivational messages, highlighting the role communities can play in guiding young people towards healthier choices while promoting unity, hope and positive social change.

The tournament was won by Bafana FC, one of the 12 teams participating who made this tournament a success. 

-The VIP Team 

-Just For Today 

-Naledi Local Municipality 

-Mompati Mall