By Buziwe Nocuze
- A local hero starts a ladies’ soccer team to save Philippi girls from drugs and teenage pregnancy.
- The club grows to three divisions despite a lack of sponsors, giving township girls hope for a better future.
While others hang Christmas decorations, Bayanda Sikiti is hanging up soccer nets to catch young township girls before they fall into trouble.
His team, Dangerous Heroes Football Club, has been a Christmas gift to Philippi township since 2021, growing into one of Western Cape’s top teams in the Sasol League.
“The aim was to push women’s football development, especially in townships, and also to save young people from being involved in bad things that can ruin their lives,” says Sikiti.
He started the club when he saw young girls with nowhere to play. “Back then, there was not even a single club for ladies, and there were kids who wanted to play soccer. I knew that I had to do something to save them,” he says.
Even without sponsors, Sikiti keeps the Christmas spirit alive year-round. “When I started this team, I aimed to help young girls. I am happy that I am doing that using money from my pocket; I will keep doing so until we have got a sponsor.”
The club now has three divisions: under 12, under 20, and seniors, offering a safe space during the festive season and beyond.
“As much as we are developing women’s football within the township communities, in the end, it saves the kids from a lot of negative things, including drugs, teenage pregnancy, and alcohol abuse, which is one of the most dangerous weapons destroying young people nowadays,” says Sikiti.
But running the club isn’t easy. “The challenges that we face are that our players come from different backgrounds; some struggle to have soccer boots, and we are travelling a lot in terms of transport. It is a lot that needs money, but I won’t stop now. I have seen how girls love football and how they want to change the way people see Philippi.”
For player Lathitha Kula, the team is a gift that keeps giving. “Most of my peers are into drugs, in the street. Joining the team is one of the best decisions I have made because I became a better person.”
She urges other youth to find positive activities this festive season. “Do any other thing you love as long as it takes you off the street.”
Pictured above: Bayanda Sikiti started a ladies’ soccer team to save them from being involved in bad things.
Source: Supplied
