Yet another exciting talent is headed for the Safa Sports School of Excellence!
Young Morategi Ratshefola is the latest rough diamond discovered in the football-rich North West province.
The 13-year-old central midfielder from Itsoseng, Litchenburg, has left his hometown school of Tswelopele Intermediate for the School of Excellence in Johannesburg. He is looking to pursue his childhood dream of playing professional football.
Ratshefola shone during the trials held under the auspices of the School of Excellence, in February, and received a call that practically changed his young life.
Ratshefola is now the second youngster from Lichtenburg to join the eminent football development School after Bakang Mendle enrolled last year.
His achievements are a direct result of a three-year partnership between the Ditsobotla Local Football (Dilfa) and AfriSam.
“I’m so excited to be part of the School of Excellence. I have worked hard to get here,” said Ratshefola.
“I will continue to work hard, both on the field and in the classroom, to ensure I graduate and join Mamelodi Sundowns and Manchester City overseas.”
Ratshefola has been offered a bursary to keep him at the school until he completes his high school education.
He is looking to follow in the footsteps of stars such as Kaizer Chiefs captain Bernard Parker, Steven Pienaar, Gabriel Mofokeng and Daine Klate, who were developed by the school.
“This is the result of the boy’s hard work as well as that of the coaches who contribute selflessly to the development of football in the region. Thanks to the parents and to our sponsors, AfriSam, for their continued support,” said North West Sports Confederation president Thebe Sekoto.
“There is more from where Morategi comes from, and it is through programmes such as Imanathi that we are able to unearth the rough diamonds.
“The fact that Morategi was one of the only five boys nominated from as many as 300 boys says a lot about his talent,” said AfriSam general manager Vishal Aniruth.
“He is a rough diamond, and we are happy to contribute to his development as well as the development of the community from which we operate through our Imunathi programme.
North West Sports, Arts and Culture MEC Galebekwe Tlhapi has acknowledged the efforts of the teams and coaches, who have single-mindedly persevered in the face of health challenges.
“Morategi’s story gives hope to the youth that they should never give up hope. We are a province rich in talent that, however, needs to be identified and nurtured,” said Tlhapi.
