Whenever Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs play, the nurses in the children’s oncology clinic at Baragwanath Hospital will tell you that the pleasure they bring their youngest fans makes it easier to administer chemotherapy to them. So when Vodacom brought players from these two Soweto clubs to visit the clinic and the CHOC House in Diepkloof ahead of this season’s PSL, it had the same power to heal and give hope as anything modern medicine can provide.
In a show of true unity away from their drive to beat each other on the field in the coming season, stars from both these clubs took time out from their training this week to join Vodacom in giving a message of hope to the children and their parents who are dealing with the effects of cancer in their lives.
They visited the CHOC (Childhood Cancer Foundation South Africa) House in Diepkloof, which provides vital accommodation and support for parents traveling from all over South Africa for their children to be treated at Baragwanath and handed out care packs and goodie bags for the children. And then they were given a tour of the Zakithi Nkosi Paediatric Haematology and Oncology Clinic at Baragwanath where they met the brave children being treated for cancer.
As much as they hoped to inspire these children, the players themselves came away having been inspired by what they saw.
“Their bravery gives us hope because these children are fighting every day for their lives, and they’re not giving up. In the hospital I saw a mother crying for her child there and it affected me deeply. All we need to do is give them love and be there for them. It made me realise how fortunate I am to have the life I have,” said Kaizer Chiefs midfielder George Matlou.
It was a message echoed by Orlando Pirates star Tapelo Xoki.
“It made a huge impact on us as players. It’s made me want to spread the awareness that cancer can affect children as well, but that it can be treated successfully. It was an emotional day, but a great day to give back. Through Vodacom we have these two giant Soweto clubs giving back to their community. Today made me realise we complain about such small things in our own lives while these kids are fighting such a bigger battle. You have to be grateful for what you have every single day. It’s about raising awareness now to make sure people go and get help as early as possible to give a child a chance at life.”
For Kishan Naik, Vodacom Executive Head Southern Gauteng, the day was a perfect example of two teams going beyond what they do on the field and a company going beyond what it does in the boardroom to make an impact in their community.
“We’re a purpose led organisation and today was part of our initiatives around Nelson Mandela Day and giving back to the communities that support us. With our partners Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates we’d like to give these children and their families the message that you are part of our family as well,” he said.
The stark reality is that there is an overwhelming misconception that children cannot get cancer and children are often diagnosed and treated too late. According to Professor Gita Naidu, the Head of Paediatric Oncology at Baragwanath Hospital and Academic Head of Paediatric Oncology at Wits University, visits such as this create an awareness that can literally save a child’s life.
“About 80% of the world’s children who get cancer live in lower to middle income countries such as South Africa. We really have the world’s burden of childhood cancer, but the most important thing is early detection and referral to a treatment centre. There is a prevailing belief that children don’t get cancer, so what starts out as a Stage 1 cancer can be a Stage 4 cancer by the time the child reaches us. If we had reached the child during Stage 1 or 2, that child would have a 95% chance of being cured. For these players to come visit is about so much more than just football. It tells these children that the world hasn’t forgotten about me. I often tell people don’t give our children gifts, rather give them the gift of your time and love. What these players and Vodacom have done is so much more than they can imagine.”
It's exactly this message of hope and love that even the medical staff at Baragwanath say is some of the most powerful “medicine” these children can receive.
“Vodacom is well known for networks and mobility, but they are equally strong at connecting people. Today they connected two teams who are normally on opposite sides of the field, and with children who desperately need their support,” added Hedley Lewis, CEO of CHOC.
Soon the whistle will blow to signal the start of the new PSL season. At the Zakithi Nkosi Paediatric Haematology and Oncology Clinic, they have a similar celebration.
“It’s a ceremony we call Ring a Bell,” explains Social Worker Fulufhelo Raymond Nengovhela.
“When a child successfully completes treatment, we Ring a Bell. After going through so much on a journey with a child, on that day we celebrate and sing and dance. The parents often cry with us. But our message is that we went to war and we came back victorious for a child.”
This season, Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs will know they are playing for more than just league points.
They are also playing for children who know their heroes care about them.
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