Recreational sport at SAFE’s Nuwepos table grape and sheep stud farm has received an encouraging boost with a team kit and equipment sponsorship of almost R10 000.
The funds were donated by Mr. Nel de Villiers of Nexus AG, a company that provides crop care services and agrochemicals to SAFE. Their sponsorship of R6 000 was augmented with a further sponsorship of R4 455 from SAFE.
Formed in 2015 at Nuwepos, comprising of farm workers, the soccer team has earned respect in the region particularly after their success at the Matzikama Agricultural Community Development Sports Day in 2016.
Since their formation, the team, coached by Obakeng Makgolokwe, has played against other local farm teams. Their success has played an important role in building an enthusiastic team spirit among farmworkers. The weekend games are the highlight of a working week.
The sponsorship was for 13 men’s shirts and shorts, 13 women’s shirts and shorts, footballs, 26 pairs of white socks and two whistles. The shirts carry the Nexus and SAFE logos.
Currently, the fixtures are organised by Nuwepos assistant manager Mr. Justice Kooper
Nuwepos sports two farmworker soccer teams and a netball team. According to Nico Schade, manager of Nuwepos, soccer and netball play an important role in the farmworkers’ personal development and wellbeing.
Also in planning is a new grass soccer field with seating that is to be built on Nuwepos so that the farm can host local tournaments and can accommodate spectators.
Matzikama Agricultural Community Development is an NGO that was started to identify and promote talent among farmworkers and to expose them to opportunities. In addition to soccer and netball teams, it also wants to develop rugby sevens teams.