This past Saturday saw a group of Chiefs players as guests of the Vodacom foundation bring some early festive cheer to around 200 kids, who were at an early Christmas party being held in their honor by Vodacom at the Amazing Grace Home in Eikenhof just outside of Johannesburg and close by to the Kaizer Chiefs Village in Naturena.

Goalkeepers Emille Baron and Markus Bocsker were joined by teammates David Mathebula and Moketi Tsotetsi as they entertained the kids from both the Amazing Grace Home and from the El Haddai community centre in Riverlea.

A suburb south west of the Johannesburg CBD which lies in the shadow of the FNB Stadium, the site for the 2010 FIFA World Cup Final.

Ball for Baron

Chiefs goalkeeper Emille Baron got straight into the festivities on Sunday and seemed to be having a lot of fun as he joined in for an improtu kick about with the youngsters, which down well with them.

Once he had done his bit on the playing field Baron along with the other Chiefs players signed autographs and posed for pictures with the kids, the Chiefs goalkeepers final bit of action for the afternoon was to have his face painted as he really got into the mood and helped make the day an enjoyable and memorable one.

Amazing reception

Sister Grace the head of the Amazing Grace Children’s Home which cares for abandon, orphaned and abused kids, welcomed the visit of the Chiefs player as a key motivating step in allowing the children in her care to be able to understand that there is a lot that they can still achieve out of life despite what has happened to them in the past.

As she said “a number of these children come from such a place in their lives where they would feel that there is no sense in living.

The gesture by Vodacom and the appearance by Chiefs shows these kids that there are people who care for them, for them to meet the Chiefs players is good for them because they can now aspire be like them one day.

We are grateful to both Kaizer Chiefs and Vodacom to Chiefs for coming out to see us and Vodacom for setting up this wonderful party.

Mathebula magic

Known for his ability to pass opponents and slither his way towards goal with the grace of a lion and the speed of a cheetah, it is no wonder then that David Mathebula fancies himself as part of the feline family.

On Saturday he confirmed that he has no problem comparing himself with the big cats so to say as he joined Emille Baron ad the face painting stand, Mathebula opted to go for the lion look and came out with his face resembling a lion.

For the Chiefs midfielder currently recovering from injury that was part of the enjoyment of the occasion, as he said “when we attend these kinds of events its important for the kids to know that we at one time in our lives were young like them and also had dreams. If they try hard enough they too can one day achieve dizzy heights in what ever field they wish to pursue, so we get into the action with them and have as much fun as we can”.