Mamelodi Sundowns took time out of their pre-season preparation to honour Nelson Mandela
Sundowns visited Saron Primary School in Rustenburg where they painted the school yellow
Chairman Thlopie Motsepe spoke about why it was important for the club to always give back

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Mamelodi Sundowns are winning on and off the field of play.

The reigning DStv Premiership champions proved there was more to life than football when they marked Mandela Day with a kind gesture.

Mamelodi Sundowns staff and players spending Mandela Day at Saron Primary School. — Mamelodi Sundowns chairman Thlopie Motsepe led by example as Masandawana marked Mandela Day at a primary school in Rustenburg, Image: Mamelodi Sundowns.
Source: Original

The Premier Soccer League side put their pre-season preparations aside to benefit the learners at Saron Primary School in Rustenburg.

Players from the men’s and ladies' teams, coaching staff, and even chairman Thlopie Motsepe, all got their hands dirty to do a good deed.

Mamelodi Sundowns staff and players spending Mandela Day at Saron Primary School in Rustenburg. — Masandawana's stars worked in the garden and painted the walls. Image: Mamelodi Sundowns.
Source: Original

Sundowns not only painted the school but also worked in the vegetable garden. Goalkeeper, Ronwen Williams, even joked that coach, Rhulani Mokwena, was still thinking about formations while they were busy in the garden.

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With this year’s Mandela Day marking 10 years since the former South African statesman passed away, Mokwena said one of the important elements of celebrating the past decade was unity.

Mamelodi Sundowns staff and players marking Mandela Day at Saron Primary School. — Mamelodi Sundowns gave back to the less fortunate when they spent Mandela Day at Saron Primary School. Image: Mamelodi Sundowns.
Source: Original

His sentiments were echoed by Motsepe:

“So we hope that we made a lasting impact in the community today. We know that we will come back and check on our vegetable garden and see if the paint is still looking as clean and shiny as ever. But we want to make sure that we continue to give back because Ubuntu, connection, and humanity is what we are as a football club,” the chairman said.

What’s next for Sundowns?

A day after giving back to the community of Phokeng, Sundowns jetted off for their pre-season friendlies in the Netherlands.

As noted by iDiskiTimes, Masandawana will play Sparta Rotterdam on July 25 and NAC Breda on July 27 ahead of the new term.

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When Pele met Mandela

Edson Arantes do Nascimento, also known as Pele, passed away in Sao Paolo after a long battle with cancer in December last year, Sports Brief previously reported.

The news was met with shock and sadness, with tributes pouring in from all corners. Revered and respected by the world over, Pele also met Nelson Mandela a few times.

Authors

Byron Pillay

Byron Pillay is a sports writer and Head of the Department at Sports Brief (joined in 2022) with over 10 years of experience in community journalism and a degree in journalism from Caxton's Cadet School.