The Mpumalanga city of Nelspruit will play host to the Vodacom Soccer Festival from September 8-11, with on-field action, table soccer competitions, and SAFA coaches clinics set to empower followers of soccer in the area.

Vodacom will kick start the programme in conjunction with LoveLife organization at the Elshedi Church, Ka-Nyamazane on Thursday, September 8 at 10h00. LoveLife will be present to pass message of healthy lifestyle to the children. This will be followed by a Vodacom-style table soccer competition.

Vodacom Soccer Festival table soccer action will take the Tshwane University of Technology, Nelspruit campus by storm the following day with students wishing to be a part of the 64-person knockout competition, required to SMS the word ‘register’ to 34382.

The winner of the on-campus Vodacom Soccer Festival Table Soccer competition will qualify to represent his tertiary institution and region at the Vodacom Soccer Festival Table Soccer National Finals to be held next year.

The public will get their chance to role up their sleeves and put their table soccer skills to the test, when the Vodacom Soccer Festival Shopping Centre promotion takes place at the Nelspruit Plaza on Saturday, September 10.

Persons wishing to participate will qualify for the 64-person knockout competition by purchasing a Vodacom product at any of the seven stores stocking Vodacom goods in the Nelspruit Plaza. They also have to show their till slip to the tournament organizers.

SAFA coaches Boebie Williams and Fran Hilton Smith will be on hand to transfer their knowledge on to local coaches from the area during the coaches’ clinic on Saturday morning at the Kabokweni Hall (10h00 start).

The Sunday action will be even more special with the Vodacom Soccer Gala bringing the SAFA Vodacom League men’s and women’s matches to the Kabokweni Stadium from 10h00.

Vodacom SA: Executive Director: Corporate Affairs, Mthobi Tyamzashe expressed his delight in Vodacom’s initiative towards creating opportunities for the enjoyment of all aspects of soccer in the Nelspruit area.

“Vodacom is committed towards building a healthy future for soccer in SA as our country walks the long road towards the hosting of the 2010 World Cup on SA soil on behalf of the African continent,” said Tyamzashe.

“At Vodacom, we hope that many a player who raised to great heights via the SAFA Vodacom League, will have the honour of pulling on the Bafana Bafana jersey five years from now.”

For further information, please contact:


Paul Martin


082 780 1744