Mamelodi Sundowns continues to give back to the community through the Annual Champions Charity Cup, an initiative that was launched in 2022 by the Mamelodi Sundowns Foundation, with the intent to support and empower community-based organisations in South Africa. Last year, the handover of the award occured on the International Day of Charity and it was no difference this year.
The Mamelodi Sundowns Chairman, Tlhopie Motsepe explained the reason for this initiative and how it ultimately started. He said: “We started the Mamelodi Sundowns Champions Charity Cup in honour of those caregivers and individuals who think of others first. Last year we gave it to the Give Them Hope Foundation because we were made aware of an orphanage and some caregivers who took care of numerous children and did so for a long time from their own funds. We did that to recognize them.”
“For us it’s something that we’ve grown up knowing, that we are nothing without the people around us and the communities that we come from. The opportunity to engage and give back to those who helped us, who made us who we are, is just a principle and a foundation of who we are as a club and thankfully, it’s also based on the model that is set by our club President and the values he has instilled in the team,” the Chairman continued.
The club believes in sustainable relationships by supporting different NPOs through different initiatives and the Champions Charity Cup affords the club exactly that. This year, the club has added another NPO to the Champions Charity Cup family, Tshepong Care Centre, a home that takes care of orphans from the ages 0 to 21 years old, based in Sebokeng.
The Chairman spoke on how inspiring Tshepong Care Centre is through their selflessness and commitment to helping the community of Sebokeng.
“To be able to come here to Tshepong (Care Centre) and to see the caregivers and the various extensive family members that these orphans have, was inspiring but for us, it was to always make sure that we could make them know that they are seen,” he said.
The manager of the orphanage, Mamiki Letsiba, expressed the joy and honour she felt from the recognition by the Mamelodi- based side.
“Today’s visit from Mamelodi Sundowns has left me speechless, especially because this barely happens to us. It has brought so much joy to us. I’m not a football fan but from today onwards, I feel like I want to be a part of the Mamelodi Sundowns club, not because of what you have done for us, but because of your humility. Even the manner in which you have treated us, we have become a family and we have learnt from you and you from us,” said Letsiba.
Letsiba also encourages other caregivers to continue serving and not giving up on the children. She said: “Let’s not give up. Let’s continue to do the work. If people like us don’t exist, what will happen to the children? Let’s raise them and take care of them so they may grow up and become like this Sundowns team and help others too.”
Mamelodi Sundowns aims to continue to recognize and honour those who go the extra mile to ensure that the community is well-taken care of, through the Championship Charity Cup.
“This award is important for us as a football club because we want those caregivers to understand that we see them. We are looking for caregivers across the country to give their hearts and their time to those who need it the most and we want to be able to see them in the future and recognize them,” the Chairman concluded.