streetfootballworld has received an award from the community of Alexandra for its contribution to social development in the township through the Siyakhona programme.

Siyakhona trains young people from disadvantaged communities to be photographers and video journalists. It is part of Sony's collaboration with FIFA on corporate social responsibility and is implemented through Football for Hope, which is led by FIFA and streetfootballworld.

The project includes the creation of video media hubs in some of South Africa’s most disadvantaged communities, including the townships of Khayelitsha in Cape Town and Alexandra in Johannesburg, the site of the recent Football for Hope Festival.

Social development in Alex
The award, which recognises streetfootballworld for services to the development of Alexandra, was presented by Linda Twala, one of Alexandra’s most respected community leaders and a legendary figure in the township’s history and the apartheid struggle. It was presented to Siyakhona Project Manager Mike Geddes, who recieved the award on behalf of streetfootballworld. Mr. Twala also honoured Sony and Hillside Digital, the local training partner for Siyakhona.

Siyakhona at work
The Siyakhona trainees in Alexandra were busy covering the recent Football for Hope Festival in Alexandra, which included creating a video introduction to the township that can be seen here.

This week, the Alexandra trainees held their first public screening in the community. A big screen was erected in the heart of the township and local residents were invited to come to watch and debate the films the trainees had made about community issues.

“Siyakhona has made an important impact on my life,” said Pakhama Pyoos, a 25-year-old Siyakhona trainee from Khayelitsha township in Cape Town. “The skills I have learned here have changed the way I see the world and shown me the power of telling stories with a camera. With the new skills I have learned I want to fight for women’s rights, bring cinema to the township and become a loud voice for my community and my people.”