Letsitele comes from a Northern Sotho meaning “Valley of the Dead” due to its severe malaria cases.
Today, the small town is a settlement within the Greater Tzaneen Local Municipality in the Limpopo Province, known for its agricultural success and vibrant community.
The areas surrounding this town are drowning in unemployment, alcohol abuse, and Gender-Based Violence.
According to Stats SA, 6 in 10 learners are likely to drop out of high school.
Soccer has become a survival mode to escape poverty for a variety of youngsters.
When Built It Letsitele branch started the program in 2024, it was not well received by the local coaches.
“We had to partner with various stakeholders, including SAFA Tzaneen and Kgosigadi Consulting Engineers, and familiarize ourselves with the whole process locally,” said the branch manager, Tabeth Sibanda.
Sibanda says the aim is to develop young talent, promote sportsmanship, address social issues, and build community spirit through soccer and netball.
“We are still concerned with our girl child because the funds budgeted for netball annually are not utilized. We are struggling to find local netball teams at the moment,” she said.
Built It Letsitele emphasized that if the lack of girls’ participation in netball persists in 2027, they will have no choice but to invest more in soccer activities.
The South African Football Association in Tzaneen Deputy Chairperson, Daniel Mateta, expressed the association’s appreciation.
“We want to take our kids from the streets and reduce the already high level of alcohol abuse and bullying.”
He stated that SAFA Tzaneen is against any form of bullying, abuse of children by adults, and neglect of children.
Mateta said about eight teams from nearby villages participated at this year’s festival in Mariveni village.
Four teams made it to the semi-finals:
- Mariveni United
- Sedan Soccer Stars
- Bonn City Fix Youngsters
- Mafarana All Nocus
Even though some Sedan Soccer Stars players were barefooted due to background disadvantages, they showed Mariveni United flames in the finals.
Their hunger to win exceeded the discomfort and heat.
Both teams played exceptionally well and sealed the victory through penalties.
Sedan won by 4–3.
They received a soccer kit, sports bag, soccer ball, medals, water bottle, cap, training bibs, and a trophy.
Despite the host defeat, parents who came in numbers for support were pleased with the tournament and intended to attend next year’s event.