By: Motshabi Hoaeane
On July 17 & 18, As part of its Mandela Month drives and Mandela Day outreach projects, an engineering firm and foundry from Alrode, Mitak extended philanthropic support to Kathorus Hyper Academy, a fully fledged soccer development academy which has been fostering the ambitions of young soccer talent since 2015. Mitak brought the hands and hearts of its staff members to volunteer and contribute towards transformative alterations and improvements to make the academy a warm and embracing space for the young soccer champs.The company’s efforts began a week ahead of Mandela day celebrations in efforts aimed at enabling the academy to stay up and running all its operations.
Numerous donations including cash were brought forward, all intended to close critical gaps.The donations were from basic needs such as food, toiletries, towels, beds and bed stands made by the Mitak staff as well as more multi purpose items such as washing lines, carport, furniture, lockers and full paint job for the academy’s residency. A new food garden where the boys would start to grow and nurture their own vegetation was also brought to life.
Mitak, a beneficent backer of Kathorus Hyper Academy since 2024, has increased its commitment to the institution. What began as a worry for an employee – Mr Innocent Moyo – whose son was a member of the program has evolved into a company-wide initiative to empower the entire team and prepare the academy for long-term success.
Mitak Director Shaun Naidoo said the major goal of its CSI projects with this institution was to ensure that it not only produced star soccer players, but also secured the future of those who also aspired to be lawyers, doctors, teachers, and engineers. “I hope that whatever we do here, they will take pride in it, and carry it forward. The only reason I do this is becauseI would like to see nine out of ten of these kids attend university and find a career,rather than nine out of ten of them ending up in crime. I want to see them achieve something.” He said that the aim is also to change mindsets, which is also done through coaching sessions. Naidoo furthermore acknowledged companies that collaboratively supported their efforts for this drive.
Lindiwe Maseko, Mitak HR Manager said when they were pushing for internal collections with employees the big deal was just about making people understand that they are fortunate and could make a change. “Once we explained to our departments what we were doing and what it meant long term it wasn’t hard to get donations-which was very encouraging” she said.
Mahmooda Hendricks, Mitak procurement manager, said “We can’t change the whole world, but one smile at a time – we can make a difference”
The founder of Kathorus Hyper Academy described the initiative as “an answered prayer,” saying it filled key gaps that had long impacted the academy’s overall morale. “Since Mitak arrived, they’ve brought change to us — particularly through the kits,” he said. The academy will be playing in a tournament towards the end of July (28), and people are encouraged to watch live on SABC or via the supersport app under theGauteng Development League (GDL).
