July 27, 2005
By Lucky Sindane
SOCCER City will be packed to capacity on Saturday, 30 July when four premier league soccer teams take to the field for the 20th annual Telkom Charity Cup.
Taxi ranks, train stations and all roads leading to the soccer mecca will buzz from early on Saturday morning with thousands of passionate fans, wearing their colourful outfits, heading for a fun-filled day of sport and entertainment.
Over the last five weeks, football fans phoned in their votes or sent SMSes for their favourite teams. The squads with the most votes get to play in the cup. According to the organisers, a record number of 829 118 votes were received.
Free State outfit Bloemfontein Celtics surprised everyone when they topped the chart with 164 343 votes, followed by defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns with 163 789 votes. Black Leopards grabbed the third spot with 163 621 votes, and Kaizer Chiefs brought up the finish with 157 560 votes.
Mamelodi Sundowns take on Black Leopards in the first semi-final, which kicks off at 10am. Kaizer Chiefs and Bloemfontein Celtics contest the second semi-final, from noon. The final starts at 4.45pm.
The organisers hope to raise a record-breaking R3,5-million this year.
"We must remember that the Telkom Charity Cup is not about winning or losing, but rather about creating a legacy event that every South African soccer fan owns," said Telkom sponsorship manager Zola Nkuta.
"Remember also that this is a one of a kind event that only takes place in South Africa, thanks to the ongoing commitment and support from the soccer-loving public."
Leepile Taunyane, the national Soccer League/Telkom Charity Cup chairman, urged all the teams to make sure as many fans as possible got to the stadium.
"Footballers and fans have a chance of giving back to society. All the teams will be given R15 000 to donate to a charity organisation of their choice."
The aim of the tournament is to raise as much money as possible for charity - money collected from the voting and gate fees is given to registered charities.
"The four teams are great and they have good support," said Sundowns spokesperson Alex Shakoane. "I'm sure Soccer City will be packed to capacity."
There is a lot of entertainment planned for the day to keep the crowd on their feet. Top musicians, including Lucky Dube, Sipho "Hotstix" Mabuse, Senyaka, Joyous Celebration, Lebo Mathosa performing a tribute to Brenda Fassie, Malaika and Zola are scheduled to stage a three-hour live music festival.
Giving all the performances a live music video feel, 500 young and eager volunteers will perform in a dance extravaganza.
"Having visited the stadium during one of the cast rehearsals, it is indeed heartening to know that the aims and objectives of the Telkom Charity Cup are being communicated to these young South Africans," Taunyane said.
"Having been an educator, I can see that their involvement helps them grasp the realities of our society at an early age and they understand the reasons why projects like this are so necessary.
"They are also volunteering and donating their talent and time out of love. They add so much to the excitement of the day and keep the fans glued to their seats while they perform," he added.
Nkuta asked rhetorically, "Where else can you experience an entertainment and soccer line-up like this for R35?"
Soccer City gates open at 8am. Tickets are on sale at Computicket for R35 for adults and R15 for children. No tickets will be sold at the stadium.
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