Suspended African All Stars coach Jabulani Mendu, through his Jabulani Mendu Foundation (JMF), has also been helping the most vulnerable during the coronavirus-enforced national lockdown by giving away food parcels in townships around Ekurhuleni, and aims to extend the helping hand to Tsakane on Friday. The Vosloorus-born ex-footballer’s foundation has also decided to help the most affected, as has a number of NGO’s around Kwatsaduza including the Kwa-Thema Cricket Club, but Mendu says this is nothing new, as his foundation has been offering support to the needy for about 10 years.
“It’s a sports and recreation NPO. I formed it with the purpose of shaping the legends of tomorrow. Leading and connecting people through sports. As I’m a sportsperson, so I’m using sports as a vehicle in whatever I do to uplift or change the community that I stay in and the entire South Africa. It’s also to enhance people through sports, to give them platforms with different activities, so we can accommodate and assist where we can.”
The foundation was recently in Mendu’s hometown of Vosloorus and Daveyton to distribute food parcels to the most needy, and Mendu says they hope to continue with their charitable work in other parts of Ekurhuleni this week.
“JMF is about helping people and contributing to the community, giving back. This project is part of JMF’s Corporate Social Investment; you get fulfilled when you see the next person happy because you have managed to assist in any way – maybe assist with food, with education, or assist with getting him the opportunity to football or to go to school.
“(But) I’m not doing this because there’s corona, I’ve been doing this for years, it’s just that it’s hard to get attention for sponsorships or (the attention of) someone who can also contribute to doing this thing. We don’t only contribute with food, we’ve got a project coming up, we’re going to contribute with blankets and food in June because [it will be] winter (and) not everyone has the privilege to have warm clothes or warm blankets. We’re also involved in donating soccer balls all over the country. We do what we can, we help with what we have; if you go to our Facebook page, you inbox us or send us an email (and) if what you’re asking for (is something) we have, we give,” explains Mendu.
The coach has also confirmed that he is still serving his suspension at All Stars, which is now known as Mabotwane United after being sold to the Mabotwane group of companies. Mendu, who was appointed in the early stages of the 2019/2020 ABC Motsepe League season – which has also since been suspended – was put on leave after the team’s poor run in the last few matches before the stoppage. Amazozo were sixth on the log, an entire 14 points behind the log leading Pretoria Callies with just seven matches to go before the end of the season.
“Yes, I’m suspended but I’m still the coach,” confirmed Mendu.
Comments