By Bongani Majola
JOHANNESBURG will wake up to a feast of football on Saturday as four of the country's top teams take to the pitch at the FNB Stadium, near Soweto, for the fourth Telkom Charity Cup.
The Charity Cup, at the FNB Stadium, is expected to draw a crowd of more than 60 000 fans to the daylong tournament showcasing the talents of Soweto giants Kaizer Chiefs, Pretoria-based Mamelodi Sundowns, Limpopo side Black Leopards and surprise contenders Dynamos from Limpopo.
The four teams were selected by a phone-in with supporters voting for their favourite sides to take part in the prestigious tournament. In an unexpected result Premier Soccer League defenders, Orlando Pirates, failed to secure a spot.
Ahead of the soccer season, the Charity Cup, whose proceeds are distributed to various charity organisations, has for three years brought crowds of soccer fans from all over the country to Soccer City.
"The Charity Cup has never been about winning or losing, but about energising soccer fans' passion and a legacy of commitment to the game," says Telkom marketing manager Zikie Molusi.
Gates open at 7.30am, with the first match set to kick off at 9.30am with Black Leopards against Mamelodi Sundowns. At 11.30am Soweto favourites Kaizer Chiefs take on Dynamos.
The final kicks off at 4pm, after more than seven hours of entertainment, including music, dancing and cheerleading displays by volunteers. "It's heartening to know that over 1 200 young South Africans are volunteering and giving their talent and time for this event. They will add so much to the excitement of the day," says Charity Trust chairperson Leepile Taunyane.
"We are expecting a full house and we believe we will have our hands full on the day, hence the very tight security for the tournament," says stadium manager Dennis Mumble.
A total of 1 200 security personnel will be deployed at the stadium. Two hundred members of the South African Police Services as well as 50 officers from the Johannesburg Metro Police Department will also be deployed.
The gates open at 7.30am and tickets are available at Computicket or at the gates. The cost is R15 for children and R30 for adults.
Meanwhile, the Department of Home Affairs will provide its services, which include applications for IDs, birth/death/marriage certificates, passports and other civic services at the FNB stadium on Saturday.
A mobile unit will be setup outside the stadium from 7am and about 50 officials will be deployed to take applications in order to avoid long queues.
With this campaign the department is offering free photos to all applicants. Application fees for the re-issue of the IDs have also being waived until the closure of voter registration.
For more information contact Leslie Mashokwe on 082 809 6547
