Author Archives: kmcclary

by | May 14, 2013 · 1:51 pm

PPI-SA Will Walk the Walk!

PPI-SA will participate in this years Big Walk!

PPI-SA will participate in this years Big Walk!

On Sunday, May 26th, PPI-SA will join Discovery Health and over 31,000 others in promoting an active, healthy lifestyle by participating in the 2013 Discovery East Coast Radio Big Walk. The walk begins at uShaka Marine World on the southern beachfront and ends at People’s Park in front of Durban’s world cup venue, Moses Mabhida Stadium. The event offers four different courses ranging from 5km to 20km.

As ambassadors for sport in the region, PPI-SA felt it was imperative to show up and support the largest athletics event of the year in Durban. All of PPI-SA’s office staff, along with several coaches, have pledged to participate. PPI’s entry fees for the event are being sponsored by Laureus, so, once again, a big thank you is owed to them.

East Coast Radio, Durban’s leading commercial radio station, started the event in 2004 with just 1,800 walkers. In 2009 the walk added Discovery, a leading health insurance provider, as a co-sponsor. Discovery has teamed with PPI-SA in the past by contributing to events and donating to PPI schools. Discovery says their involvement in the Big Walk was fueled by seeing the walk as “a great opportunity to show people how easy it is to follow a healthy and active lifestyle.” Durbanites are obviously catching on to the message, as the event has grown by over 30,000 participants in its 10-year existence. The event continues to grow on an annual basis, with over 8,000 more people registered this year than last year.

Stay tuned for pictures of PPI-SA’s day at the Big Walk, which will most likely be posted here on Tuesday, May 28th.

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by | April 30, 2013 · 1:30 pm

An Update From the Laureus YES Programme

The 9 PPI-SA coaches at this year's Laureus YES Programme

The 9 PPI-SA coaches at this year’s Laureus YES Programme

A few weeks ago, we proudly announced that 9 of our PPI-SA coaches had been selected to take part in the Laureus Youth Empowerment through Sport (YES) Programme. Our coaches have just returned from the first leg of their training, a 10-day retreat to Shongweni Dam just outside of Durban. While we are busy gathering feedback and stories from our coaches, please enjoy this blog written by PPI-SA coach Andile Msomi after day 5 of the training. Andile participated in the YES pilot programme last year and was asked to return this year to help the first-year participants along:

It is almost the end of day five of the Laureus YES program at Shongweni Dam Spirit of Adventure. This place is a constant reminder that the “earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair”. I couldn’t be anywhere else but here. I adore everything about this place; the people, the air, the mountains, the trees; it just makes me think, wow… this is what it is to be happy.

The breathtaking scenery at Shongweni Dam

The YES Leaders 2013 have been consistently working hard, pulling a sweat every day. Every day is presented with a variety of a combination of accredited and non accredited activities that brings out the best in everyone in so many different levels; The leaders shared that, when they partake in these activities their “confidence is challenged, they are put under pressure, it’s an emotional rollercoaster, it’s beautiful, enlightening, and adventurous’’. They added that “nothing is impossible”. Therefore, a lot of emotions are being shaken, catered for, provoked and tested. However, all of this is “crazy fun”!

Today was filled with exhilarating activities. In the morning there were seminars where people presented on anything and everything. The presentations were amazing; you could tell that people put effort into it even when presenting is not everyone’s

Zebras are spotted just outside the camp.

Zebras are spotted just outside the camp.

strongest attribute. This goes to show that continuous effort, not strength or intelligence is the key to unlocking one’s potential. It was an honor sitting through the presentations and hearing people presenting about things that affects them spiritually and emotionally, positively and negatively. To mention a few topics, “21st century youth vs. the olden day youth”, “personal inner drive”, “love” etc. They were real. Two big events that took place today were abseiling and jumping down the dam wall that is 7 meters (23 ft.) high. A lot of emotions and feelings were apparently floating in the air. Some felt thrilled, it was a breakthrough for some, and some were threatened, a victory for some, and others were phobic and afraid. And for me, it was a reminder that water has the power to take lives. I respect nature and its course, I admire its peacefulness, and I recognize its presence because it is just too beautiful and truthful to be missed. But mostly, I envy its power and abilities.

One of the many activities at the YES training

Privileged, blessed and lucky would understate the feelings I have towards the discovery of the Laureus YES program. The program continuously turns the leaves of hope and faith for me. It just humbles me to be given an opportunity to be part of this program that equips me with the skills to be a better person, to be resilient in life, to accept myself and the world around me, to lead and follow when needed, to learn, face my fears, explore and to be around people that seeks to better themselves and the people around them. YES is home away from home, it’s my shoulder to lean on, it’s my breakthrough, it’s a ladder towards my sunny days. Moreover, it’s a reminder that wherever I go, no matter the weather, I should always try to bring my own sunshine.

The leaders this year are great beyond words, I have learnt so much from them in the past 5 days and excited to learn some more for the rest of the journey. I am thankful to Laureus for continuously giving the opportunities to learn and be surrounded by such amazing souls.
Love,
Andile
p.s. just remember that when it is dark enough, you can see the stars

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by | April 16, 2013 · 9:39 pm

Photos from PPI-SA’s Staff Appreciation Day

PPI-SA held a staff appreciation braai in Durban last week. It was the first time everyone has been together since the initial training in late January.

PPI-SA held a staff appreciation braai in Durban last week. It was the first time everyone has been together since the initial training in late January.

DSCN0563Mtu and Ntobeko cook up some boerewors on the braai while Kristin (always hungry) checks in on the progress.

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Coaches reach into the cooler box for a refreshing drink.

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A PPI-SA soccer match breaks out on the lawn. In the background is the mouth of the Umgeni River, which meets the Indian Ocean just on the other side of the pictured bridge.

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The ladies of PPI-SA (most of them, anyway) pose for a photo.

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by | March 27, 2013 · 2:36 am

Pro Basketball Announces Its Return to South Africa

SA Minister of Sport Fikile Mbalula announces the formation of the BNL, a professional basketball league for South Africa.

SA Minister of Sport Fikile Mbalula announces the formation of the BNL, a professional basketball league for South Africa.

The South Africa national championships of basketball took place over the weekend in Johannesburg, with each of the 9 provinces entering a men’s and women’s team. The South Africa Defence Force also provided a men’s and women’s side, rounding out the tournament at 10 teams. The tournament showcased the best basketball players from each region in South Africa, but the centrepiece of this year’s tournament was the announcement that professional basketball would be making its return to South Africa this year.

Professional basketball had a good run in South Africa from 1993 to 1996, and had a brief, 3-month return in 2006 before collapsing again under the continual problems of insufficient funding and poor governance. On Friday, however, South Africa’s Minister of Sport attended the national championships to announce that a 12-team league (known as the BNL) will begin play in September, including teams from all 9 provinces. The news received a warm welcome from players at the tournament, many who have a great passion for the game but nowhere to play outside of pickup games, informal local leagues, and the annual national tournament.

As far as the tournament itself, Kwa-Zulu Natal Province (which includes Durban) was coached by PPI-SA HR/Finance Manager

PPI-SA's Mtu Zulu (on the mic) coached the Kwa-Zulu Natal team (background) at the national championships

PPI-SA’s Mtu Zulu (on the mic) coached the Kwa-Zulu Natal team (background) at the national championships

Mtu Zulu and International Fellow Kyler McClary (that’s me!) went 5-1, with their lone loss coming in the championship game against perennial power Gauteng Province (which includes the major cities of Johannesburg and Pretoria). Although Kwa-Zulu Natal held a small lead in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter, Gauteng’s size and depth was overpowering down the stretch. Nonetheless, Kwa-Zulu Natal made a strong showing and displayed a wealth of young, up and coming talent. Over the course of the tournament they defeated eventual 3rd place winner North West Province by 25 points, eventual 4th place winner Limpopo by 10 points, 5th place Mpumalanga by 40 points, traditional power Western Cape (Cape Town and surrounding area) by 30 points, and Northern Cape by 65 points.

The need for a professional league was evident throughout the tournament, as many players struggled against top competition due to lack of exposure to that level of play. The BNL and the exposure it will provide for players will benefit all South African hoopers, but especially those in provinces that don’t include the major population centers of Johannesburg/Pretoria, Durban, and Cape Town. Consistent competition against the top players in South Africa, an organized training schedule, and a sprinkling of foreign players mixed in will help the level of basketball played in South Africa skyrocket. There are even talks of a television contract with SuperSport, who would televise the BNL games to a national audience, which will bolster the game’s national profile. SuperSport was at the tournament all weekend capturing highlights, interviews, and the title game for future airing.

Perhaps most importantly, the BNL will provide youth basketball players in the country, including all of PPI-SA’s 600+ participants, more motivation to play the game and continue developing their skills. There are finally opportunities to look forward to for young basketball players in South Africa, and a platform for them to showcase the skills they have acquired. I can’t wait to tell the kids.

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by | March 19, 2013 · 9:08 pm

City-Wide Is Back!!!

Samantha Tsihiband from Carrington Primary School drives to the basket at the CityWide Tournament

Samantha Tsihiband from Carrington Primary School drives to the basket at the City-Wide Tournament

On Saturday morning, the Umlazi Township, just south of Durban, was the last place anyone wanted to be. Protests stemming from a political dispute had turned into complete chaos. Violent mobs set fire to trains, vandalized property, blocked roads with burning tires, and hurled rocks and other projectiles through the air at passing cars, people, and police. Amidst the anarchy, the playful shouts of children could be heard barrelling down the road – 132 children to be exact. They were aboard two buses heading into Durban to attend a basketball tournament, leaving the troubles at home behind for a day full of fun, friendship, and a chance to just be kids.

Teams were mixed so participants played with kids from other communities

Teams were mixed so participants played with kids from other communities

Yes, City-Wide is back! The bi-annual basketball tournament hosted by PPI – SA took an unexpected hiatus last year, but returned in triumphant fashion this past Saturday, March 16th, at Hoy Park in Durban. 425 primary school kids (212 boys and 213 girls) from all over Durban and surrounding regions boarded buses with teammates Saturday morning to make the trek to the city. For many kids, the tournament provided a rare opportunity to spend a day outside of their home communities. For others, like the players from Umlazi, the chance to get out was even more welcomed.

Once everyone (children from 23 different schools in 6 different communities) had arrived at Hoy Park,, the festivities began. A few songs, dances, and speeches later, players were mixed and split into teams so that each team had representatives from each community. This gave players the chance to interact and team up with people they otherwise would never have the chance to meet. Kids from the country, kids from the city, kids from predominately African townships, kids from a predominately Coloured township, and kids from Waterloo, which isn’t near any of those places, all teamed up on Saturday to compete on one of 7 basketball courts at the venue. Teams that weren’t on the court kept busy by participating in a life skills activity where they had to guide a blindfolded teammate through an obstacle course using only their voice. During breaks, kids spread out on the grass to enjoy lunch and snacks with new friends and old.

Many new friendships were formed and old ones were strengthened

Many new friendships were formed and old ones were strengthened

After nearly 5 hours of activity, everyone gathered together for an awards ceremony. The most coveted award of the day was the “Champion of Peace” award, given to the boy and girl on each court who best embodied the spirit of sportsmanship, hard work, and camaraderie. The winners of the “Champion of Peace” awards deserve a special mention in this post. They are listed at the bottom.

Also deserving special mention are all the volunteers who donated their time and effort to the tournament. This includes members of the United States Consulate, who provided funding for the tournament and lent a helping hand all day long.

Participants show off their certificates.

Participants show off their certificates.

At the end of the day, the kids headed back to the buses, many with awards, prizes, and certificates they had earned throughout the day, and nearly all with bright colors smearing their lips after devouring a well-deserved popsicle on their way out. The remains of the popsicle would wash off shortly, but the memories from the day, all the fun times and new friendships, will stick around for a long time. Let the countdown to the next City-Wide begin!

2013 PPI-SA City-Wide Tournament Champions of Peace

Siyabonga Dube                Asanda Mkhize

Nhlanhla Mvhunu            Sara Bash

Sanelele Hlophe               Amanda Mabaso

Aphiwe Mbele                  Hlengiwe Majozi

Lindo Ngcongwane         Anele Mdluli

Luyanda Mzinhle              Owethu Dlamini

Minenhle Mhlongo         Isabelle Makwanda

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by | January 30, 2013 · 12:30 am

PPI-SA Coaches Get Hands-On Training

PPI-SA coaching applicants got a chance to show of their coaching skills last week.

PPI-SA coaching applicants got a chance to show of their coaching skills last week.

It’s been a long holiday break for PPI-SA, but now that schools are back in session it’s time to get the ball rolling on the 2013 PPI program.  Over the break we came to the realization that, no matter how big our plans, hopes, and desires are for our organization, everything starts with the quality of our coaches. After all, they are the ones working directly with the kids and delivering the program we have developed. Quality coaching is the product of two key ingredients: quality people and quality training. It is our job to ensure not only that we hire the right people, but that we give those people the tools they need to bring out the change we hope to see in our participants.

This year, PPI-SA went through its most extensive process to date to ensure we have hired the right people to coach our participants. Applicants were required to submit a C.V. (resumé) and come in for a formal interview. Then, we took the entire field of applicants to the courts where they took part in basketball drills and games to show off their knowledge and command of the sport, as well as other traits such as work ethic and coachability. The following day, everyone was invited back to courts where they were each given 10 minutes to facilitate a basketball drill to the rest of the applicants. This gave us an idea of who has the teaching, facilitation, and speaking skills necessary to effectively deliver our program content.

PPI-SA's Ntobeko Ngcamu leads a team building exercise during training.

PPI-SA’s Ntobeko Ngcamu leads a team building exercise during training.

After the weekend, those coaches who we felt had the skills and traits we were looking for were invited back to go through hands-on training of our brand new 2013 program manual. Over two days, the coaches played the role of program participants as PPI-SA office staff put them through all of the life skills activities and basketball drills that they will need to know for the upcoming term. Through this process, coaches learned the correct way to administer the drills and activities, find and address teachable moments, and facilitate discussion to extract key points and messages.

There were many old faces at the training who we know and trust to be good coaches, and they did not disappoint. But even more exciting were the several new faces who showed great potential as coaches and leaders and will hopefully form the foundation for the next generation of PPI-SA coaches.

Going forward, PPI-SA is committed to quality over quantity, even if that means temporarily shrinking the number of schools we work with while we strive to find the RIGHT people to coach at those schools. It also means giving our better coaches the opportunity to work at multiple schools, where their value can reach a greater number of kids. 2013 is the year for PPI-SA to put its best foot forward and set the standard for how we want to present ourselves to the communities in which we work. The results of this year’s hiring, interview, and training process has everyone excited that our 2013 vision is off to a promising start.

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by | January 22, 2013 · 3:08 pm

A Tribute to a Legend

RIP Marvin Newman

Marvin Newman, who worked for the South Africa branch of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, passed away unexpectedly last week.

Last Tuesday, January 15, PPI-SA received the devastating news that our friend and colleague, Marvin Newman, had passed away suddenly and unexpectedly. Marvin worked for the South Africa branch of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, a close partner of PPI-SA and a pioneer in the field of sport for social change. Below is a post written by PPI-SA Marketing Manager Ryan Douwie, who was close with Marvin not only through work, but outside the office as well. Just two months ago, Ryan and Marvin traveled to Barcelona, Spain for the Laureus Global Summit where they shared lots of fun times together:

When I first heard the news of the passing of Marvin, I was shocked. My heart sank as I sat in my chair and wondered, “Is this real?” Just a few weeks ago, we were rocking and rolling in Barcelona, sharing laughter, joy and silently celebrating the great news that he would soon be joining Mario and I in fatherhood.

Ryan (left) and Marvin (2nd from left) show off for the camera in Barcelona.

Ryan (left) and Marvin (2nd from left) show off for the camera in Barcelona.

Marvin was an advocate for all the projects that Laureus Sport for Good Foundation – South Africa (LSFG) funded. I am fortunate that I had the opportunity to spend time with him, both socially and through work, before he sadly left us. Our time was always well spent, talking about life and somehow or the other, we got to chatting about work. Marvin’s passion for driving social change was remarkable. He was a true ambassador for LSFG and South Africa as a whole.

I remember our last moments, and every time I think of Spain, I giggle in silence. It was in Barcelona where Marvin, Mario (our mutual friend and founder of Great Commission United) and I spent some quality time together. My room was always the rendezvous point and I can clearly remember after arriving on the first day, all three of us wandering the streets of Barcelona, talking about life, love and how us three coloured folk from South Africa have defied all odds to be where we are today.

Through Marvin’s passing, I am reminded to live everyday as if it was my last. Love, laugh, share and give everything your all! Although his passing is a tough one to accept, I know his legacy will live on, in everyone’s lives that he has touched.

Rest well my brother and until our souls cross paths again, Rest in Peace!

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by | December 26, 2012 · 6:39 pm

Christmas Day’s “Other” Big Game

Christmas morning basketball is an annual tradition in Lamontville, South Africa.

Christmas morning basketball is an annual tradition in Lamontville, South Africa.

In America, sports and holidays are often intertwined.  New Year’s Day belongs to college football and its postseason bowls. Last month, millions of people tuned in to watch NFL games on Thanksgiving, as they do every year. Christmas is a day for the NBA, which always saves marquee matchups and big-market showdowns for December 25th. Over the years, I have gotten accustomed to relaxing after Christmas morning activities by watching the NBA’s best teams battle it out against each other. However, I always thought that sports and holidays were more of an American thing.

This year I spent Christmas in South Africa, my first Christmas in a foreign country. Much to my surprise and delight, I learned that America doesn’t have a monopoly on the whole ‘basketball on Christmas’ idea. Long before Boston and Brooklyn tipped-off their game to begin the Christmas NBA marathon, long before the team formerly known as the Lakers squeaked out a win over the team posing as the Knicks, in the first hours of the American morning when the Heat and Thunder players were still sleeping, another traditional Christmas Day basketball game tipped-off. This one was played a world away, in the township of Lamontville, South Africa, where every Christmas morning people gather to play basketball at the township’s main court. They play an annual game pitting the “new school” vs. the “old school”. The “new school” is made up of the younger generation and is comprised of players in their late teens and early 20’s. The “old school” is made up of guys who may have passed their prime basketball-playing years but still love to play the game. Many “old schoolers” have grown-up, gotten jobs, and moved out of the township, but they return on Christmas morning to lace up their shoes and take on the newest generation of Lamontville hoopers.

Lamontville Xmas 2

Some Lamontville Christmas hoops action (click to enlarge)

This Christmas, I was invited to come play with the “new school” team.  The demand for Christmas morning basketball is high enough to where several games are played, as each side has 15-20 players and everyone wants to log time on the court. Many of the players have been affiliated with PeacePlayers as either a participant or coach, past and present. In addition to all the players, many members of the community, young and old, gathered to watch the games taking place. Some stopped for a few minutes on their way to do other things, others brought chairs and set them on the small ridge overlooking the court.

I balled in a Santa hat, spreading Christmas joy and cheer with a dazzling array of basketball greatness (ok I actually played pretty poorly, but in my defense, one of the hoops had a badly deformed rim which created a challenge to a degree which I have not faced since trying to pound the circle block into the square hole when I was a toddler.) The oldies got the best of the youngsters, winning about 80% of the games, but the day was about more than wins and losses. Everyone had fun, reunited with old friends, and, at least for me, made a lot of new ones.

This year’s Christmas Day NBA games were very exciting and entertaining to watch, but they weren’t the only ones being played on that day. Next Christmas, as you settle onto your couch to catch the first NBA game of the day, just remember that the Christmas Day basketball marathon has already started. It started 11 hours ago, in a little place called Lamontville, South Africa.

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by | November 13, 2012 · 2:08 pm

Welcome to the Off-Season at PPI-SA

Members of the PPI-SA office staff working hard and sharing ideas in preparation for next year’s program.

Ahhh, November in Durban. Newborn baby monkeys are an increasingly common sight, the number of frighteningly large insects in my house is on the rise, and the recurring cycle of teasingly pleasant mornings followed by late afternoon downpours has me pleading for something—anything—different from the skies (can I get a beach day?). Durbanites are preparing for the fast-approaching holiday season as schools get set to close their doors on December 7th, wrapping up another full school year (the school year runs January-December down here).

At PPI-SA there is no basketball or life skills programming in November, giving students time to study for their upcoming final exams. So what are PPI-SA staff members doing this month before closing the office for the holidays? They are hard at work, making sure that 2013 will bring an even more effective, efficient, and impactful program to area schools. The sound of bouncing balls and shouting kids has been temporarily been replaced by the hacking of keys on laptops and the low hum of the projector in the board room, where meetings are taking place almost every day.

PPI-SA staff learns new ways to integrate basketball and life skills from PPI Operations Learning Specialist Gunnar Hagstrom during a session at Durban High School.

After identifying the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats arising from the previous semester, the staff has developed a clear, shared vision of where we want PPI-SA to go. One of the main projects for November is to revamp the life skills program to better suit the needs of the kids and communities we serve in an ever evolving world. This process began with a visit from PPI Operations Learning Specialist Gunnar Hagstrom, who shared many ideas such as how to integrate concepts from The Arbinger Institute’s Anatomy of Peace directly into our basketball practices. It has continued in the weeks since Gunnar’s departure with meetings and brainstorming sessions focused on identifying the most important life skills and basketball skills on which to focus our program in 2013 and how to most effectively deliver them in a fully integrated manner.

If you visited the office this month you would also find staff hard at work improving monitoring and evaluation systems, strengthening local relationships, enhancing communication and visibility, finding innovative ways to maximize resources, gathering and creating new material for our program, and increasing opportunities for the professional development of our local coaches.

Going out in the field and running basketball events for our kids is a lot of fun, but so is showing up to the office each day knowing that everyone is working hard and doing their part towards reaching a common goal: for PPI-SA’s 2013 program to be the best it has ever been.

Now if only we could do something about this weather.

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by | November 8, 2012 · 2:35 pm

Welcome, Waterloo!

PPI-SA staff members pose with a group of Waterloo students on their new court.

PPI-SA added a new member to its family last week with a court launch at Waterloo Primary School in the community of Waterloo, South Africa. Situated in a landscape of rolling hills north of Durban, Waterloo represents a brand new area for the PPI-SA programme, which currently works in the south, west, and center of Durban.

The court launch was an event celebrated by the entire school. The launch kicked off with a school-wide assembly that featured singing, dancing, and other showcases of talent from Waterloo students and staff, followed by speakers representing PPI-SA, Waterloo Primary, and Sibaya Casino, whose generous financial contributions made the partnership between PPI-SA and Waterloo possible.

Waterloo students eagerly await the ribbon-cutting ceremony for their new basketball court.

Following the assembly, it was time to hit the new court for some hoops. 45 grade 6 students were selected to participate in the inaugural basketball session at the school, while others eagerly gazed out classroom windows to catch a glimpse of the action. For many of the students, it was their first experience with the game.

After some exciting dribble relay races, students took part in team-building activities such as “Magic Hat”, a game where teams must communicate with each other to find the most efficient way to transport their teammates across an imaginary river. Then it was back to basketball for an energy-filled game of “Scramble”, where students got to test-out their newly acquired dribbling, shooting, and passing skills. To wrap up the events on the court, local gym Virgin Active provided a trainer to lead the participants in a group exercise session made up of a variety of dance moves set to some of South Africa’s favorite house beats.

PPI-SA’s newest players take part in a dribble relay at the Waterloo court launch

Though basketball and life skills programming has reached an end-of-the-year break for most schools, PPI-SA will continue holding training sessions in Waterloo throughout the month of November. When the new school year starts in January, Waterloo will be prepared to enter both a boys and girls team into the primary school league where the teams will have the opportunity to travel and host teams from other communities that PPI-SA serves.

PPI-SA is grateful to all who made contributions and sacrifices to make this new partnership possible, and wishes the best of luck to the new Waterloo teams!

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