Festival Cinema Africano, Asia ed America Latina
Milan, Italy
Screenings will take place:
March 17, 2010, 4:30PM
SYNOPSIS
The story of Streetball, a documentary on South Africa’s 2008 – 2009 Homeless World Cup Teams
In Cape Town, there are two realities. Sixteen years after the end of apartheid, South Africa prepares to
host the FIFA World Cup and the country is ripe with celebration. New hot spots, airports and stadiums were built to welcome travelers from around the world. However, there remains a generation that lives in extreme poverty, with many youth falling into lives of violence, drugs and abuse.
Streetball is a fast paced documentary that tells the stories of South Africa’s 2008 Homeless World Cup team. The Homeless World Cup is an annual soccer tournament that draws teams from over 56 countries—comprised of homeless and the excluded. The SA Squad consists of ex-convicts, former gangsters, orphans and recovering drug addicts that band together to represent their country, proving that no one is beyond redemption. Streetball is a story of hope and of the resilience that dwells within the human spirit. But while these mens’ dreams are simply to have a home and to be recognized as people who need care, often times the realization of those dreams is accompanied by a sobering reality.
THE CAST
Meet the soccer players of South Africa’s 2008 Homeless World Cup team and their leaders in the Cape Town community.
Martin Africa grew up in Cape Town and lived on the streets since he was five years old. After spending years in and out of prisons and gangs, Martin found out he had a son and needed to find a way out of a life of drugs and gangsterism. In 2007, he attended trials for South Africa’s Homeless World Cup street soccer team. He was subsequently named captain of the 2008 team.
Thapelo Kalpens grew up as an orphan , living in a youth home. He’s a strong student and wants to attend college but is unsure of how to pay for tuition. He tried out for the Homeless World Cup team in hopes of gaining experiences and connections that would benefit his future. Thapelo made the team and was named vice-captain.
Sandile Mhlongo became an orphan when he was nine years old. He grew up in a children’s shelter but when he turned eighteen, he was sent out to live on his own. With no family or support, he ended up living on the streets. He heard about trials for the Homeless World Cup team and stood out among the competition. Sandile was a top goal scorer for the 2008 Homeless World Cup team.
Petros Nkomo, aka “Rasta,” grew up in Soweto and later moved to Cape Town. He was an orphan at age seven and struggled to find stability for himself on the streets. He spent some time in prison due to petty crimes and while he was there, he played soccer. He became an excellent goal keeper which made him an obvious choice for the 2008 team.
David Abrahams is a community leader, focused on developing youth structures. He founded the Western Cape Street Soccer League in 2006, in preparation for the Homeless World Cup held that year in Cape Town. He has since grown the league into the organization, South African Homeless Street Soccer (SAHSS) and works for the league on a volunteer basis.
Peter Cooksen coached the 2008 Homeless World Cup team. He works full time for organizations in the Atlantis community and volunteered for the South African Homeless Street Soccer League. His coaching provided guidance to the players as they prepared to compete in Australia.
Kgafela oa Magogodi is a Spoken Word Poet and film scholar. He taught at the University of the Witwatersrand and was also a guest lecturer at New York University. He has performed worldwide and was the first recipient of the Steve Biko Fellowship. His work explores the social roles and media representation of Black intellectuals, as well as the significance of maintaining cultural practices to uphold a vibrant civil society.
THE ARTISTS
Streetball features the work of significant up and coming–as well as established–musicians and street artists from South Africa. Each artist donated their poetry, music and images to the film and to From Us With Love, giving Streetball a vibrant backdrop in telling the stories of South Africa’s post-apartheid generation.
Araminta de Clermont
Photo by Araminta de Clermont
Araminta de Clermont is a British born photographer who is now based out of Cape Town. Her work explores “rites of passage, and the visual currencies of group identification and formation.” Before Life her second solo show, follows Life After, which was exhibited at Joao Ferreira Gallery, and at ArtSpace, Berlin. Her work features in the UNISA collection, in The Trustman collection, and has been showcased throughout the US and Europe as well as in South Africa.
ETC Crew
ETC CREW is the “Cape Town-based, multi-racial, cross-dimensional Hip Hop rap outfit you might’ve already heard of.” Fueled by their own fresh yet energetic, jazzy, head-nodding Hip Hop sound, they are on a mission to fill a cultural and musical gap in the South African music industry. Not content to be followers in the game, they would rather do it differently, making changes on their own terms, armed with the kind of quality beats that speak to your feet and a highly comedic lyrical flow that is completely contagious. ETC Crew is here to re-adjust any kind of attitude that says Hip Hop and rap are strictly for gang bangers.
Faith47
- Image by Faith47
Faith47 is a Cape Town based graffiti artist and has been adorning the streets of South Africa for over fifteen years. Her work explores the divisions that still exist within South Africa’s communities and seeks to draw attention to the places and people that are often over looked. Her artwork has appeared in galleries across Europe, North and South America as well as throughout Africa.
Jitsvinger
Jitsvinger (Quintin Goliath) is one of South Africa’s fastest rising Afrikaans vernacular Hip Hop artists. He plays acoustic and electric guitar and successfully launched his debut album, Skeletsleutel, in 2006. He has traveled the country and world, performing at various outdoor and indoor festivals, theaters, clubs, living rooms and even cordoned off streets.
In 2005, Jitsvinger was invited to facilitate a creative writing program at Robben Island. He has performed with poet and author Antjie Krog, and poets Kgafela oa Magododi and Comrade Fatso. He traveled and collaborated with Khoisan praise poet, Jethro Louw, performing traditional cultural music in the Taiwanese cities of Tainan and Taipei. In mid-2008, he traveled to Switzerland as part of the inter-continental Rogue State of Mind project where he performed and recorded with fellow artists from Switzerland and South Africa. Jitsvinger has been working on his follow-up album due for release in 2009.
Kgafela
Kgafela oa Magogodi is a Spoken Word Poet, Spoken Word Theater director and film scholar. He has taught at the University of the Witwatersrand School of the Arts as a lecturer in African Cinema, Oral Performance and Rap/Dub Poetry Studies and has also been a guest lecturer at New York University. He directs and produces original Spoken Word Theater and his productions have included “Itchy City,” “Warsoil,” “Bread,” and “Blood.”
Kgafela has written several screenplays and produced his feature length film, I Mic What I Like, in 2006. He has performed worldwide and was the first recipient of the Steve Biko Fellowship. His work explores the social roles and media representation of Black intellectuals, as well as the significance of maintaining cultural practices to uphold a vibrant civil society.
Rudimentals
- photo by matty.co.za
The Rudimentals are an eight-piece ska/reggae band that have been described as a “South African Institution.” The band released its first CD, “More Fire,” in October, 2003 and the hit song “Noh TV” won a National Bronze Stone award for best music video. In 2004, the band was voted “Best Reggae and Ska Band” in South Africa, by nationally popular Blunt Magazine.
In 2006, the band released their second CD entitled, “Set It Proper.” The CD fuses Ska, Reggae, Dub, Dancehall, Rock, African Mbaquanga and Jazz into what is now known as Afro-Ska. Sponsors include Cape Audio College, Township Guitars, Moskow Clothing and Critik Shoes. In 2007, the Band was signed for their first CD, “More Fire”, with Moonskaworld UK.
UjU
Gwen Ansell of Business Day claimed, “(UjU’s) compositions are memorable and the playing rather better than it needs to be. Whatever this new kind of popular music ends up being called, UjU does it exceedingly well.”
Today’s incarnation of the band was crystallized at a twelve-hour jam session in early March, 2004. Led by spiritual leader of the band, Ntuthu Ndlovu (poet and vocals), UjU has a sound that is distinctly their own, mixing strong Mbaqanga rhythms with modern Jazz and Hip Hop. UjU – Zulu for Honey – writes with a heightened consciousness, informed by critical social, economic and political issues. They aim to bring about the entirely new and distinctly South African sound that represents their generation. As they say, “Nothing cheesy here but always self-referential and ironic.”
THE CREW
The production team for Streetball is a cross-cultural, cross-continental crew that hail from Canada, South Africa and the United States. Meet the director and the producers and learn a bit more about their stories that lead to the making of Streetball.
Michael Smith, Producer/Story
Executive Director, From Us With Love
Michael Smith was born in Johannesburg and spent the first years of his life in the Old Houghton community. The ‘60s and ‘70s were turbulent times in South Africa and thus his American-born parents ultimately moved his family out of South Africa while he was still young.
Michael began his phone book business and found great success. Always politically minded, when Hurricane Katrina hit the coast of New Orleans, he felt if he didn’t take action, he would lose the right to continue discussing and critiquing cultural issues concerning social change. He and his brother then organized donations from their neighbors and packed up a truck of supplies to drive down to New Orleans.
These experiences proved to be significant and led Michael to begin the organization, From Us With Love (FUWL). While in New Orleans, he observed that there were many local organizations that had great passion for their work as well as understood the needs in their community. What they lacked, however, was adequate funding and access to the resources and information that were available around them. From Us With Love wanted to fill in these gaps.
This took Michael back to the place of his birth. FUWL began work in the townships of the Western Cape and joined forces with nursery schools and orphanages, providing specifically what these organizations shared they needed, rather than beginning a new organization all together. This not only met the unique needs of these communities but it also provided a formula to achieve significant developments with minimal administrative needs.
One of the projects closest to Michael’s heart was the work of the street soccer program in Cape Town. Alongside of his then-photographer, Demetrius Wren, he got to know the stories of the players in the league and believed they were of significance and should be shared with a broader audience. Having grown up drawn to the arts, Michael has found his involvement in Streetball a rewarding experience and looks forward to future creative endeavors.
Demetrius Wren, Director, Co-Producer
Demetrius Wren began his artistic training at an early age after enrolling in the Davidson Fine Arts School in Augusta, Georgia. Davidson provided eight years of study in music, dance, drama and video. While in high school, Demetrius worked and volunteered for the Jewish Community Center in his hometown, working predominantly with special needs students. He has taught saxophone lessons and tutored at local schools in Augusta.
Following Augusta, Demetrius completed a dual studies degree in classical music and motion picture production at Florida State University before moving to New York. While in New York, he served as an assistant writer to Steven Sater for the Tony Award winning musical, “Spring Awakening.” He spent several months working closely with Robert Wilson at the Watermill Center and has written and directed his original play, “Legends, Myths and Hieroglyphs,” which will soon be turned into a feature film.
His original work centers around the stories of children and youth and, in particular, highlights the stories of often overlooked young people. He taught workshops at the Florida State University Graduate Acting Conservatory in Acting for the Camera for first and second year grad students. Film highlights include the short film Of My God, charitable work for Nolashines.org and From Us With Love, as well as other music videos and art films.
Christina Ghubril, Writer, Co-Producer
Christina Ghubril began theater training when she was seven and while in high school, started to devise and direct original pieces of work. She went on to receive her BFA in Drama and Pan African Studies from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts and the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa. At Wits, she studied Arts and Culture in Post-Apartheid South Africa. While at NYU, she studied at the Collaborative Arts Project of the 21st Century, the Experimental Theatre Wing and at Stonestreet Film and Television Studios.
Christina grew up on the Northside of Pittsburgh, in a family committed to urban community development. She has volunteered in her community through home repair, tutoring, arts education programs and supplemental education programs, beginning these experiences while in kindergarten. As she developed as an artist, she began to focus her work around using the arts and storytelling to empower young people to develop their voices and to understand the significance in their own unique stories. She has worked predominantly in communities that struggle with issues of poverty and violence.
In 2007, she directed Still Speaking, an original, multi-media, devised theater piece on Pittsburgh’s Northside community. She also worked with New York’s Opening Act, teaching and directing devised theater to students in underserved Brooklyn high schools. She has taught performance and writing workshops to middle and high school students throughout the country and assisted in the development of teen-girl programming at Girl Scouts of the USA. She has performed professionally in film, television, music videos and in live theater.
Mike Mastrocinque, Associate Producer
Operations Manager, From Us With Love
Mike Mastrocinque became Operations Manager for From Us With Love in June of 2007. Prior to beginning his career with From Us With love, Mike visited South Africa on two occasions as a tourist developing a deep love for the beauty, culture and people of South Africa. Mike’s curiosity of the Townships that are scattered across the country could not be contained and he requested that his guide take him for a tour one afternoon. The tour guide suggested visiting a pre-school and stopping along the way to purchase sweets for the children. ”Spending time with the children at the pre-school and the people of that community prepared my heart for the position I am in, which came several months later.”
In the early Summer of 2007, From Us With Love Founder, Michael Smith, asked Mike if he would consider traveling to South Africa to build relationships with organizations helping to bring change to the country. Mike accepted and From Us With Love began to model Compassionate Humanitarianism to children and families living in South Africa through Education, Health Services, Nutrition, Sport and Cultural Arts.
Taryn Aveley, Associate Producer
Regional Coordinator, From Us With Love
Taryn Aveley grew up in Cape Town. She is married with two children and now resides in Knysna in the Western Cape Province. From a young age, Taryn knew that she had a purpose. In 1994–when she was fourteen years old–she was involved in a Church massacre while South Africa was going through political changes. At that moment, Taryn realized there was a reason for her to be in the world and so shifted her goals to center around serving others. For Taryn, one of the biggest lessons learned in her life is to have compassion and will.
Taryn started working for FUWL in 2007. Within the last two years, she has identified various needs in the Knysna community and obtained assistance for those who struggle to support themselves. For Taryn, working for FUWL has shown her that there is always a way to help change someone’s life, no matter how big or small one’s impact may seem. Through the various projects she has been involved in, she has learned that there are some challenges that we all face that we cannot face on our own. Representing FUWL has been a fulfilling and rewarding opportunity for her.
For Taryn, a highlight of working with FUWL is assisting the Street Soccer program. In particular, a proud moment was in September, 2009 when the SA team arrived back from Milan, Italy. Taryn was present to welcome them home at Parliament in Cape Town and seeing the acknowledgment the players received was an overwhelming experience. Having witnessed this program first hand, Taryn feels strongly that through something like Street Soccer, the lives of young people can be transformed. Street Soccer has given these young men hope and courage and has shown them what value they have as people. Through this film about Street Soccer, her hope is that people will see, feel and understand the journey these young men take and witness how the program has affected their lives. She hopes that when people see Streetball, their perceptions of street kids will be changed; that the viewers will be captivated and place themselves in these characters’ shoes, and that audiences will develop an understanding of the brave journey these young men have taken. Most of all, she would like people to approach this film with an open heart and mind and to draw on their compassion in order to understand the difficulties of others–and how such difficulties can be overcome.
PRODUCTION NOTES
Behind the scenes stories of producing the feature documentary, Streetball.
Streetball was funded by South African PBO (Public Benefit Organization) and United States 501(c)3 public charity From Us With Love (FUWL). With little to no experience in the film industry, but a passion to share the triumphs and tragedies of the 2008/2009 South African Homeless World Cup Teams, Streetball began production in July of 2008.
FUWL asked filmmaker, Demetrius Wren to join them in South Africa in February of 2008 to photograph and make short documentary videos of their ongoing projects. While spending time with the South African Homeless Street Soccer League, President, David Abrahams suggested that Wren make a full length documentary film about street soccer. Wren shared Abrahams request with FUWL Founder, Michael Smith and Smith agreed. Within a few weeks, FUWL approved funding for Streetball.
Streetball was made by a crew of only two. Demetrius Wren and Christina Ghubril shot, wrote, interviewed, directed, edited, photographed, sound mixed, researched, graphic designed, and composed the elements that make up the film under the direction of Executive Producer, Michael Smith, who also founded FUWL in April of 2007.
Thanks to modern technology, two 25 year olds with a lot of passion could complete a film in their living room. Streetball was edited, sound designed and graphic designed on a Mac, using all Mac programs.
FUWL’s strong relationships with organizations involved with the street soccer league, gave Wren and Ghubril full access to the staff and players. Wren and Ghubril would often leave the cameras behind and spend time getting to know the players and the Cape Town community. The friendships that formed made it comfortable to hold conversational interviews and hang out at ease while a camera was around
Without a full crew or imposing equipment, Wren and Ghubril gained access into places and stories that are not often open to “outsiders” or media. Also, without Martin Africa, much of Streetball would not exist. He took Wren and Ghubril into locations that housed local gangs and to where many street people lived. Once, Ghubril watched a man twirl a gun at them while filming in the Quarry but he put it down when he saw Martin with the crew. On Long Street, Martin was told by some kids that if he wasn’t with the crew, they would’ve stolen the cameras.
Ghubril wanted to highlight South African musicians and artists in the film, to give context to the vibrant post-apartheid culture and generation. Wren was inspired by the “Take-Away Videos” — one-shot music videos of bands performing live in their community locations. The two combined their ideas and brought South African musicians into the fabric of the film.
While finishing her undergrad in Johannesburg, Ghubril met Wandile Molebetsi of UjU, and would frequent UjU’s concerts each week. Kgafela oa Magogodi was her professor at NYU and at the University of the Witwatersrand. On her spring break in Cape Town, Ghubril visited the District 6 museum where she was moved by Faith47’s artwork. Jitsvinger, the Rudimentals and ETC Crew, were found on myspace. They all generously donated their time, music and artwork to From Us With Love for Streetball. All proceeds from the film and soundtrack will go to fund From Us With Love’s ongoing projects to bring about hope in South Africa.
Welcome Home
Patricia de Lille and Lance Greyling with team
The players returned home to South Africa this week. While there were some bumps along the way, they are now all home, safe and sound. Soon after they landed, they were invited to Parliament and were recognized by Patricia de Lille, the leader of the Independent Democrats political party. Also, they were welcomed by Kgalema Motlanthe who served as President of South Africa between September 25, 2008 and May 9, 2009, completing the second term of Thabo Mbeki. He currently serves as Deputy President of South Africa and of the African National Congress.
These leaders spoke of how proud they were of the team for representing South Africa in Milan and for bringing home the Milan Cup, which Martin Afrika presented to Deputy President Motlanthe while at Parliament.
Kgalema Motlanthe with the team
Interviews for local news media
Taryn Aveley, FUWL regional coordinator with 2009 team captain, "Mabuthi"
Blog and photos by Christina Ghubril
SA Won!!!
Winners of the Milan Cup!
South Africa is officially the winner of the 2009 Milan Cup! This is the third division trophy and is a great victory for SA. They played a fantastic final game against Malawi. The crowds were chanting for South Africa, waving their flag–some of their friends from other teams even wore SA’s warm up suits in support of South Africa. They played a focused and solid game and won 9-1. It was a day to celebrate in Milan, completed by the first place Homeless World Cup victory, won by the Ukraine team.
As the players head back to South Africa, the weight of unknown futures is heavy in the air. Some go home to organizations or family members yet others head back unsure of what will come next. The return from this amazing event is often challenging. In a world and economy that is difficult for all, these men are no exception. With trophy in hand and a deeper sense of self, they return to their home country to seek new opportunities for their futures.
I am daily overwhelmed and inspired by their resilient and hopeful spirits. As we head back to the States, their presence will surely be missed.
Blog and photos by Christina Ghubril
Winning Streak
South Africa has come back with a force! Winning today against the USA and Romania, South Africa is going on to compete for the third division cup, playing against Malawi! Tomorrow’s a big day….
Blog and photos by Christina Ghubril
Lewis Hamilton, San Siro and Germany
Posing with Lewis Hamilton, Formula 1 racer
The last few days have been quite eventful including a visit from British Formula 1 racer, Lewis Hamilton, an excursion to San Siro Stadium and a day at the pool. Asanda was injured and after a visit to the emergency room, realized he won’t be able to play for the rest of the tournament.
Today the players entered the field ready to enjoy themselves against Germany and took the game! At one point, the team was left with only 2 players on the field when Martin was taken out of the game. Also, the goal keeper was pulled out for negative behavior and Ephraim was put in as a substitute. With Asanda injured, Martin out, and an unpracticed goal keeper, they managed to focus in and score enough to win in the end! Colin and Thulisile scored a series of impressive goals and Ephraim and Rushaad defended well against their opponent. Tomorrow they play Romania to compete for one of the lower level trophies.
South Africa vs. Ghana
Asanda is injured and must sit out the rest of the tournament
Ephraim taking over as goal keeper, helping to win the game against Germany
Lewis Hamilton visits the Homeless World Cup
Colin and Cheslyn at San Siro Stadium
Martin at San Siro Stadium, home of AC Milan
A break at the pool
Posing with the Homeless World Cup
Blog and photos by Christina Ghubril
Day 4: Milan
Rushaad
Today was a challenging day on the field. Both the games against Kazakhstan and Hungary were lost. Kazakhstan doesn’t qualify to compete in the tournament so that game counts automatically as a win. However, the game against Hungary was a tough one. The teams were neck and neck up until the end. Both played a very strong game and the final score was 9-8 in favor of Hungary.
The team was a bit bummed and bruised (Martin got knocked pretty hard in the face…) but even despite their losses, they quickly worked to support and encourage each other. We went out for gelato and their smiles and laughs had returned. Similar to last year, I believe this moment of loss was the moment where the significance of the Homeless World Cup was realized. Experiencing new things, realizing their value in the world and gaining inspiration and hope for their futures have become more significant than taking home the cup to South Africa.
The team also visited the South African Consulate in Milan and met Dr. Nomvuyo Nokwi, the Console Generale. She shared her story of migration from South Africa and encouraged the players to pursue opportunities for their futures.
Dr. Nokwe and Team
We then spoke to Thapelo, last year’s team captain who helped coach this year’s team. He remembers experiencing these feelings of loss and encourages the team to keep their heads up and fully enjoy the rest of their time in Milan.
And….they’re still in high ranking for the second division tournament. Tomorrow they play Ghana and continue on to the second round semi-finals. Wish ‘em luck!
Gavin, SA's manager, enjoying gelato
Blog and photos by Christina Ghubril
Day 3: Life Worth Living
The South African team showed up this morning ready to play hard. After losing their first match yesterday, they need to win 3 matches in order to remain in the running for the cup. They were neck and neck with Wales during their first game but ultimately won 6-4. They went on to win their next game with Japan by a whopping 17 to 1. They’re ready tomorrow to play Kazakhstan and Hungary, hopefully to move on to the semi-finals.
Afterwards, Martin shared that their success on the pitch is important in revealing the team’s worth to their homeland. While they are forgotten on the streets, if South Africa would recognize all they have to offer, their country would be a better place. Drugs, he explained, are enticing on the streets because they offer a boost of confidence and a rush of adrenaline but playing and winning a game offers a buzz that’s even greater than drugs. If people on the streets were given opportunities like this more often, he thinks no one would turn to drugs and then confidently stated that he will never turn to drugs again. For one of the first times, Martin said he believed his life was worth something.
These are the stories we are honored to witness and look forward to sharing fully with the release of Streetball in 2010. Martin is a daily example of the power of hope. It has been amazing watching his and his teammates’ stories unfold.
Martin
Cheslin and Colin
Ephraim
Colin
Blog and photos by Christina Ghubril
Day 2: South Africa vs. Nigeria
Rushaad
Team Japan
The opening parade is a huge event at the Homeless World Cup. Today, flags of 49 countries were carried by their teams as they marched through town, singing, chanting and kicking off the tournament. It was an epic journey into a colosseum-esque stadium, where the 2009 games are taking place.
Team Luxembourg
Team Nigeria
Team SA
South Africa’s first match was against Nigeria–historically a tough team to play. Two years ago, South Africa lost 10-6 to Nigeria and last year lost 9-1. This year, SA proved to be a tougher challenge to the Nigerians. Almost no goals were scored in the first half. The teams were neck and neck until the very end when South Africa lost a shoot out, the final score being 4-3, in favor of Nigeria.
A little bummed at first, the team quickly encouraged each other to lift their spirits and recognize that they played a good, strong game. They understood their moments of weakness and are ready to play as a cohesive team, remembering that ultimately, playing football is what they do for pleasure and they need to have fun as they play in order to succeed. They also stated that regardless of the outcome, this is still an experience of a lifetime–but they’re ready to focus in tomorrow and play to win…
Siphiwo aka "Mabuthi"
Thulisile
Rushaad, saving the ball
Blog and photos by Christina Ghubril
To Milan for the 2009 Homeless World Cup!
I am so excited to say that it is time for the 2009 Homeless World Cup! The South African team is preparing to travel next week and to represent their country in Milan, Italy.
It is bound to be another inspiring tournament, held in a bustling city, buzzing with the energies of players from all over the globe. One of the most exciting things for us this year is that Martin Afrika has gotten his ID and will soon travel to Milan to live out this part of his dream. We go to gather final footage of Martin with his team in Italy and then will hurry back to the US to insert the footage into the first cut of the film that will be sent off to the Sundance Film Festival.
It’s an exciting season all around. Stay tuned for regular updates on the team and their journeys at this year’s Homeless World Cup!
Martin Afrika with teammates
Blog and photos by Christina Ghubril
Trials for the 2009 Homeless World Cup Team
The 2009 trials for the upcoming Homeless World Cup are now complete. At a camp outside of Cape Town, roughly 25 guys from Cape Town and Knysna came together to compete for the 8 slots in the 2009 team. This year, the Homeless World Cup will take place in Milan, Italy in September.
Physical training began early in the morning and then trial matches began mid-afternoon. Along the beach, it was a picturesque event with Table Mountain also towering in the distance!
So far, it looks like Martin Afrika will be on the 2009 team. It remains uncertain whether or not he will be able to obtain legal identification papers allowing him to apply for his passport. His spirits seemed high at the trials and we are all hoping that everything will line up for him this year.
As far as filming goes, our time here in South Africa is almost complete. A few more days before returning to New York will give us our final footage from this leg of the journey and we look forward to piecing together all the amazing elements of this story to complete the film. It promises to be an exciting season ahead for South African Homeless Street Soccer as well as for StreetBall, the film. Stay tuned—many more exciting stories to come!
Cape Town
In the last few days we’ve had many adventures. On Wednesday, we started the morning early with a helicopter flight over Khayalitcha. We were able to get the ride with the doors off of the helicopter so that our footage wouldn’t be hindered at all by windows, etc. It was incredibly exciting and we got some great aerial footage for the film of where some of the players grew up.
We caught up with Peter Cooksen, the coach of the 2008 Homeless World Cup team. He took us around to organizations in his community around Atlantis and to visit and interview Vuyo, who he is still closely tied to. Vuyo is doing well in school, is in good spirits and just got back from a soccer tournament in Johannesburg where his team won first place!
We then visited Riaan at The Ark. He is also doing well. Back in school and working towards entering college, he is hopeful and energetic, still playing ball and is encouraged about taking control of his life and his future. He shared some of his new tricks for us!
As always, it’s a wonderful journey.
Riaan
Peter Cooksen
Khyalitcha
Khyalitcha
Cape Town
2010 World Cup Stadium
Trials for the Keeper
Goalie Trials
Yesterday was another significant day here in Cape Town. South African Homeless Street Soccer held their trials for a keeper for the 2009 Homeless World Cup team. All of the players who are in the finals were there playing against each other and Thapelo, Rasta and the coaches surrounded the courts offering guidance and support. I wasn’t here for last year’s trials and it was impressive to me, seeing the players try out, knowing how much stronger and sharper they will become in the next few months.
Martin Afrika was there and it was wonderful to see him again. He is physically strong and sharp and clearly a leader on the court. He looks like he has lost a bit of weight and has some sadness in him where there used to be pure adrenaline and excitement. He got kicked out of MyLife, he says for bringing his girlfriend over, and spent a few weeks back on the street and had everything he owned stolen from him. The depression of his circumstances led him back to drugs, none of which he was happy about. Since he is trying out for the 2009
team, he is back living at MyLife but doesn’t feel like he is as loved or accepted by his community as he once did. Due to his appearance and tattoos he has gathered that there are people who do not want to be seen with him, since he looks like a gangster. He has had troubles with some of his old relationships following him, particularly when he leaves his current community and, for example, goes to visit his son. He was chased by a rival gang the last time he dropped his son off and was scared for his life. I admire more than ever his heart and resolve to try and stay positive and hopeful and work towards health in his life. I know it has not been easy.
Also, he is still working to get his ID. He can’t get a job without it and there continues to be hurdle after hurdle for him. Most recently, he has been told that his finger prints look like someone from Madagascar and so he is trying now to deal with it from this angle. He says if it weren’t for football he would be back on the streets and have given up. Football keeps him going. It is the one thing every day that he enjoys and is inspired by and can fight for.
Rasta was also there. Rasta has had a very different experience than Martin and still lives at MyLife, feeling positive about his life. He gets odd jobs from time to time and is in training to be a coach. He is in good spirits and claims that the Homeless World Cup changed his life completely. His face is all smiles and we have heard from the other coaches and from Thapelo that Rasta is doing a great job coaching the incoming goalies. He takes his job seriously and seems to take great pleasure in it.
Rasta
Rasta also spoke of his concerns for Sandile, in particular, who is no longer living at MyLife, apparently for having his girlfriend over, as well. It sounds like Sandile is living back at the quarry, but he is harder to find these days. The coaches are also bringing him on to help lead the 2009 team and are hoping that will encourage him and offer a deeper sense of purpose again.
I knew this wouldn’t be an easy “and they all lived happily ever after” story but it is still hard to see people that we have grown to love struggling after a season that was so full of hope. I am thankful that there is a good mix of guys who have found encouragement in the last few months to run alongside of those who are having a bit of a difficult time. They still think of each other as brothers, as a team, and work as best as they can to support and lift each other up , which is a beautiful thing to see. I am still quite hopeful for all of them. I know these things take time.
Catching Up With Thapelo
Today was a great day starting with an early rise and ending with an evening in Stellenbosch, sharing dinner with some friends. It was lovely. In between we spent the hours of the day with Thapelo, captain of the 2008 Homeless World Cup team. It was so wonderful to catch up with him again and to spend some time together in Cape Town.
The day began in his new home. He’s staying at a place in Woodstock now so he can be closer to the city and to the tutoring he’s getting at the University of Cape Town. An incredibly smart and driven student, he didn’t get as good of scores as he hoped in his final math and science exams due to all his practicing for the Homeless World Cup. He is now spending this year with a tutor, preparing to retake the tests and get the scores he wants in order to ultimately begin studying at a university and pursue a degree in the engineering field.
Thapelo's New Home
The Study Corner
After visiting his home, we interviewed him in the park in his neighborhood. There was a sports team practicing there and none of us knew exactly who they were but eventually Thapelo realized they were a team from Wits University and their captain was former Bafana Bafana football here, Eric Tinkler. Mr. Tinkler was very gracious as Thapelo introduced himself as the captain of last year’s Homeless World Cup team and Thapelo took his picture with one of his heroes, which was really exciting!
Afterwards, Thapelo, Demetrius and I hopped a cable car to the top of Table Mountain for some beautiful shots on the top of this South African icon. Thapelo told us about the coming of age ritual he will soon go through. It is the Xhosa tradition for him to officially become a man and leave his boyhood behind. There was something picturesque about him explaining leaving his childhood and beginning his new life with all of Cape Town and the Atlantic Ocean to be seen in the distance behind him, open to him.
We are gearing up for tomorrow, the trials for the 2009 keeper (or goalie) for South Africa’s Homeless World Cup team. Rumor has it, most of the guys from last year’s team will be there, Martin will be playing for his place on the 2009 team and the community will be rallying behind all of these guys. Rasta, Sandile and Thapelo are offering their guidance as peer leaders/coaches. I think it should be a pretty fantastic day.
Thapelo with Eric Tinkler
South Africa vs. Australia, Nigeria and Scotland
Getting ready for round one
Rasta in action
OK, so all of my competive-big-sister-used-to-think-I’d-be-the-first-woman-in-the-NBA sides are coming out. Exploding out, really. I’m all about street soccer. Our boys are doing incredibly well–they were practically a new team today. They arrived on the court this morning ready to play a tough game against Australia, who had a serious home team advantage. The crowds were full of Australians and Australia fans and South Africa wasn’t playing around. They were using their teammates well, playing a clean game with a lot of slick passes and scores and won 7-3. It was a great victory. I was “that girl” screaming from the sidelines with all of the neutral journalists. I gotta support!
Thapelo vs. Australia
Vuyo vs. Australia
Australian player
- Australia and South Africa celebrating together
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Our second game today was a lot harder. Nigeria is a tough team with a solid reputation. For almost the entire first half, neither team could score. Both sides played serious defense and have fantastic goal keepers. Nigeria scored the first point followed quickly by South Africa and so the rest of the game went. Eventually, Nigeria got a two point lead and the rest of the game was spent catching up a point, losing a point and, in the last seconds of the game, Nigeria scored again. South Africa lost with a final score of 10-7 in favor of Nigeria. They put in an incredible fight, however, and can hold their heads high knowing they fought a very good team well.
Nigeria in action
Nigeria's goal keeper
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Scotland’s team are the reigning champs from last year. All of the teams we played against today are powerhouses. Again, South Africa put in a good fight but the guys spoke about how tired they were by the end of the day and that they didn’t feel good about their final game. We lost 9-4, in the end. Also, Scotland’s team has several more players than South Africa’s team. Especially without Martin, South Africa has only six guys to rotate with and Rasta has to play keeper non stop. He was particularly exhausted by the end of the day. Again, he did an excellent job all day but felt that by the third match, his stamina was down.
Coach
Rasta after a long day
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Sicelo after a serious game
Vuyo at the end of the day
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We all grabbed dinner together at a local burger joint and it was great to see the guys relaxing and having a good time. The shared some pretty funny stories of things they’ve experienced over the last few days, their perspectives of women from different countries, and also were honest that they’ve had a hard time building relationships with players from certain African nations due to the xenophobia and violence that went on in South Africa last year. The team feels that the players from Zimbabwe and Malawi, in particular, do not trust them and are not as open to becoming friends as some of the other teams are. Yet it sounds like they’ve had some good conversations with players from other countries, particularly Brazil, swapping stories of what life is like in their respective homes, what the landscapes are like, as well as what gang life is like in various communities. I think it has been an eye opening experience for them, overall.
School boys playing outside the arena
Australian school children in crowd
Braiding a local's hair
Girl braiding volunteer's hair
Australian's outside the arena
Australian musician on the street
Yarra River
Aussie locals who sang American spirituals with the South African team in a restaurant
Australia
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Tomorrow is another round of games marking which teams will make it into the finals. Wish our guys luck!
South Africa vs. Chile
Melbourne
South Africa played their first game today against Chile. It was a tough match–an intense game for Rasta, the goalie, in particular. He did an excellent job blocking many solid shots. It was the best I have seen him play to date. About a week before we left, he had injured one of his thumbs, so I think was playing it cool in practices to maintain his hand for the actual tournament. Rasta is fierce on the field!
South Africa had taken the lead in the first half but ended the game tied. In street soccer, when teams end with even scores, each team picks two players to participate in a shoot out. When it comes to winning in this situation, much of the pressure is on the keeper/goalie. Each team takes a turn with one of their chosen players trying to score a goal. Essentially, whoever misses first loses. It was a high intensity game with quite a few rounds going back and forth during the shoot out but eventually, South Africa won! There were South African supporters in the crowd who now live in Australia and were so excited for the team. It was great to see the guys celebrated after the game.
Rasta getting pumped
Ethan scoring
After the first match, we spoke to Thapelo, the team’s captain. He was not entirely pleased with the way his team played, although they were able to win the game in the end. He believed they needed to be more focused and precise and work better together as a team. Also, he said that it was a difficult game because the turf they are playing on here feels very different to what they are used to back home and so running and controlling the ball was more of a challenge.
Sandile and Thapelo
Sandile in Action
South Africa will be playing three games tomorrow against Germany, Kenya and Greece. Hopefully they will rest up tonight and show up refreshed, focused and energized for such a big day.
The coaches
Celebrations: Sandile, Vuyo and Ethan
Rasta getting some love post win
South Africans in crowd
Ethan
Riaan
First days of the 2008 Homeless World Cup
Thapelo in Opening Parade
Sicelo in Melbourne
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We have now been in Australia for two days. As traveling usually is, it has been quite a whirlwind of events. There were several near missed flights with our crew running through international airports, Sandile spent a night alone in Johannesburg due to a flight mix-up, the second crew had trouble leaving the country and so missed their flight from Hong Kong to Australia and ultimately canceled the first day’s games. However, everyone is now safely in Melbourne and so far, having a magnificent time.
Players from India
Player during opening festivities
The opening ceremony was a special event. Local musicians and indigenous Australian dancers performed for all of the teams. Mel Young, the creator of the Homeless World Cup, spoke to the crowd, encouraging each player on their journey. The event ended with a drumming crew playing through the hall and many of the players from around the world dancing together on the stage at Melbourne University, where the event is being held.
I was moved nearly to tears several times during the ceremony. There are 56 countries from all over the world represented at this year’s event. It is a beautiful sight to see flags, country colors, jerseys and hundreds of excited faces from so many places and cultures. Multiply that by the scenarios these athletes have lived through and the hope that is inherent in their presence here, at an international competition, and I was more inspired than I have been even by the Olympics. There are some absolutely phenomenal individuals at this event and the city is buzzing from it all.
Portugal
Namibia women
The Netherlands
New Zealand
Melbourne has done what seems to me to be a fantastic job of organizing for the Homeless World Cup. Over 900 volunteers are coordinating all of the games, the crowds, the set up, etc. Local schools have assigned different teams to their various classes and so each team has a solid fan base and is being chased by kids who want the players’ autographs and arrive enthusiastically, country flags painted on their cheeks in each team’s colors.
Supporter of Ethiopia
East Timor
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The games began yesterday and every team showed up ready to fight. These preliminary rounds are the placement games. Because no one is allowed to play in the HWC more than one time, each year it is unknown which teams will be the strongest. Last year, Scotland won first place. From the matches I saw yesterday, many were close calls between equally solid teams. There were a few significant wins, however. In particular, the team from England is tough. They scored goal after goal and all of their players showed up with incredible strength and ferocity. From the sidelines with my camera, I thought I might lose my head a couple of times. Also, the women’s team from Kyrgyzstan did very well. Their team looks young and potentially passive but their skill and footwork was impressive and they won a solid victory against Australia, as well.
England (in White) Vs. Sweden
Players from England
Street soccer is a bit different than field soccer. Each team has 3 players on the court and one keeper/goalie. One player must be on their side of the court playing defense at all times. The court is much smaller and the games are 15 minutes each, played in two halves. The walls of the court are used to bounce the ball off of and pass it to other players so to win, one must be ready for a lot of fast running and brave handling of a ball that is being shot with great power around the court.
Thapelo signing autographs
South Africa supporter
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Our guys play their first game at 4:40 today. They are more than fired up and excited to get out there and play. They will be playing Chile, in this round. Tomorrow, they are up against Greece. Send up some good thoughts for South Africa!
Australia Bound
South Africa's 2008 Homeless World Cup Team
Today was a full and beautiful day. While most of our home country celebrated Thanksgiving, Demetrius and I awoke with the sun to meet up with the Homeless World Cup team for their send off ceremony. We all gathered beforehand and the guys were given their uniforms and warm up suits, shoes, toiletries and duffel bags for the trip. It was a fun time with a lot of energy in the air. Many of the guys said they couldn’t sleep last night, they were so excited about the journeys ahead. We took some team photos then headed to City Hall.
Riaan, Ethan, Vuyo and Sandile
Riaan and team
Riaan, Ethan, Vuyo and Sandile
Thapelo, Sicelo, Rasta and Martin
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The Deputy Mayor gave a short speech and affirmed the team in their abilities to represent South Africa positively while in Australia. Fifty-six countries will be represented at this year’s Homeless World Cup and the team is carrying the baton of not only representing themselves as individuals, or even as a team, but as a country.
Deputy Mayor of Cape Town
Mayor greeting team
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Martin stuck by the team all day. He has passed his title of captain to Thapelo, who he believes is a strong player and role model for the rest of the team. I know this part of the experience is very painful. I believe Martin will come back strong next year, ID papers in hand, ready to lead the 2009 team to victory. All of us deeply hope so.
Thapelo, the new team captain
This evening, we joined David Abrahams at a going away party that Ethan’s family was throwing for him before he leaves for Australia. It was wonderful to see how much support Ethan has and to see what a symbol of hope he is for his family. We met his siblings and parents, godmother, girlfriend, cousins and friends. I felt blessed to be included in such an intimate gathering and thought, in lieu of Thanksgiving with my family, sharing fried chicken and samoosas with a beautiful family near Cape Town was just about perfect.
Ethan's friends and family
Ethan's family
Ethan's baby brother
Ethan's mother and brother
Ethan and his friends
Ethan and his girlfriend
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Tomorrow, we hop on a flight to Hong Kong, ultimately to end up in Australia. I’m interested to see how these brimming with energy athletes hold up while stuck on a 16 hour flight. As always, many journeys ahead!!!
Rasta, Riaan, Sandile, Sicelo, Demetrius, Thapelo
Riaan, Sandile, Rasta, Sicelo, Christina, Thapelo
Last Days in Cape Town
View of Table Mountain from Robben Island
A Cafe in Cape Town
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It’s hard to believe this part of our journey is almost complete. In two days, Demetrius and I will join South Africa’s 2008 Homeless World Cup team on a flight to Melbourne, Australia, for the long awaited international competetion. The air around us is full of energy, excitement and also some fears. We are all dreaming of Melbourne, looking her up on the net, talking about what she could be like. It’s almost time to find out.
Knowing we only have a few days left in Cape Town has kept Demetrius and I fairly busy. Over the last few days we spent time with a local graffitti writer and artist, Faith47, learning more about her processes and voice in the community. We visited The Oasis, another organization that uses street soccer to reach local youth–particulary at risk individuals–and builds relationships through the game in order to then mentor and assist the players throughout their life development. We spent a morning with another community leader who also uses street soccer to reach homeless guys and interviewed several members of his team about their experiences, first hand, working with these guys.
The stories are the same: street soccer is the cheapest and most effective way to reach street kids. All you need is a ball and the kids will come. Once the kids have gotten to know the leaders a bit, they will begin to open up. Once they know they are loved, many of them no longer want to use drugs or live on the streets. I know it sounds much simpler than it is but the bottom line story we are hearing from all sides is that these guys need to know they are loved and need to be heard in order to begin on a healthier path. Street soccer is a way to begin to build relationships as well as to offer a physical outlet, goals the players can work towards and reasons why they are needed, as well. The team needs each other. The younger players need the older ones to act as big brothers/mentors. Once they are hooked into a community, their leaders can help them find other opportunities for work, creative outlets, education, sometimes counseling. But it all begins with the game.
Boys in Happy Valley
Fruit Stand in Happy Valley
During several interviews, we were also taken on a tour of some of the townships in Cape Town that are less “famous” than Khayalitcha. They don’t end up on the news so much or in people’s debates and conversations but the stories there are just as real and challenging. There are no schools whatsoever in Happy Valley and so the children have to ride sometimes two hours and/or walk long distances to get to school in neighboring townships. We were there on a Monday afternoon and there were kids of all ages, everywhere, not in school. We also visited a newer settlement that was a squatter’s town but has grown to be a full community. Theyhave organized their own local leaders who are internally recognized. There are 2 outside pumps for water access and several outhouses and that is this community’s main access to water and toilets. There are no schools, but there is a recently opened creche for the babies. Many people who live here were once homeless but have come together and made a community for themselves, have homes and some level of stability and protection here.
Water Pump
In the afternoon, we went to Robben Island for a tour of the prison Nelson Mandela lived in for 18 years (he spent a total of 27 years in prison, but 18 of them were on Robben Island). It is a very stark place. Now, a historical site and tourist attraction. Many of the tour guides were once prisoners there, themselves. I am blown away by the courage it would take to be back there, guiding tourists through your old cell every day. Most of the prisoners on Robben Island were political prisoners who were against apartheid and arrested and tortured for fighting for their freedom. Many of them were very young men who were torn away from their families and loved ones, tortured and discrimated against and shipped off to an island off the coast of Cape Town. It was a prison for Colored and Black men only. There were separate facilities around the country for women and white men. There is something both haunting and hopeful about seeing a gift shop on a former such prison. I do not really know how to process it.
Nelson Mandela's former cell
Outside of the Prison
Off the shores of Robben Island
We have one more interview today and spend tomorrow with the team and gathering last bits of footage before packing up and leaving for Australia. There are many stories ahead of us still, I know. May the journeys continue!
Final Training
It’s official. Martin Africa will not be able to go to the Homeless World Cup. At least not this year, not with this team. He still has not been able to get official papers and there is no longer time enough to process the paperwork necessary to get his visa, even if an ID were to miraculously show up for him tomorrow. When he was informed that he would not be able to go, he said that he had come to that conclusion a week before on his own and has made peace with it.
He has, however, continued to train with the team and to support them, taking his responsibility as team captain seriously. He is encouraging the rest of the players and will also choose another member of the team to take over for him, as captain, in his absence. Everyone wants Martin to succeed and to hold onto the hope he has found over the last few months. I am hoping the weeks while the boys are in Australia are not too difficult for him.
Practice on the Beach
Over the weekend, the team went on a training retreat outside of Cape Town. They were up with the dawn every day, running and training on the beach at 5AM and following a rigorous schedule from there. The energy and excitement is building as Friday morning’s flight to Australia comes closer and closer. Some of them have expressed fears that they may find out last minute that they also will not be able to go. Some are in the middle of exams for school at the same time as they are training and preparing to leave. Some are experiencing health problems that are inhibiting their abilities to play to their fullest capacity. But all are fighting hard and have their eyes set on that cup, wanting to represent South Africa well and with pride.
A neighbor
The community
