Diski99 ‘Say NO to Drugs Campaign’ Hits the right nerve
Net Nine Nine’s campaign against the usage of drugs and illicit trafficking has gained traction in the Free State on the weekend on 26 and 27 April 2024 where South Africa’s leading Internet Service Provider (ISP), flanked by popular Concerned Parents Campaigns (CPC), hosted a highly attended awareness-raising activity against the abuse of illegal substances.
United for the cause
Not only Net Nine Nine and CPC brought the campaign against the usage of the dangerous drugs, but the City of Mangaung joined in the CPC-Diski99 “Say NO to Drugs” crusade, as well as football legends from Gauteng and Free State who assembled at the Dr Rantlai Petrus Molemela Stadium on 27 April 2024.
A throng of supporters descended on the Dr Rantlai Petrus Molemela to witness best of the best yesteryear South African football stars return on the playing field to entertain the crowd, which was estimated to anything above 8 000. The awareness-raising show coincided with the country’s commemoration of the 30-years of democracy, with the first national elections having been held on 27 April 1994.
The teams
The Bloemfontein Celtic Legends hosted the Gauteng Legends where the latter seem to be too powerful for their counterparts, easily winning 4-1 to loud cheers from the emphatic fans who were clad in their popular Siwelele colors. The Celtic Legends comprised big names like David Modise, Patrick Malokase, Daniel Matsau, Kleinbooi Taaibos and Patrick Setlai, while the Gaungers brought with them Jabu “Ngwana wa Tshwenya” Pule, Reneilwe “Yeye” Lestholonyane, Katlego Mashego, Morgan Gould, Teboho Moloi, Thabo “Section 10” Qalinge and Joseph Ngake. The main event was preceded by the same former players conducting soccer clinics to school pupils at the Mangaung Outdoor Sport Centre.
Jabu Mahlangu’s confession
Jabu Mahlangu confessed before the school children that he at some point of his life used drugs, and they messed up his life.
Advised Mahlangu: “I’ve had car accidents, did a lot of things, hurt a lot of people, nearly lost my life, and I’m lucky to be alive. You might not be lucky like myself. Drug are bad. Most of us come from poor families, but we had the talent. I encourage all the children to stay away from drugs, and not fall in the same trap as me. Drugs destroy families and friendships. This should start now.”
More needs to be done
Some of the players on the day, which included ladies teams, also had their say about drugs, and many of whom, loosely quoted, said they need more of such events in the Free State which is under the drugs attack.
“We say no to drugs,” said majority of whom. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime has encouraged organisations in South Africa to also host such an event on 26 June 2024, as a day dedicated to the awareness of drug abuse.
The results
Bloemfontein Legends 1-4 Gauteng Legends
Madrid Ladies 7-0 Queens Ladies
Peace Lovers 1-1 Central University of Technology FS (Peace Lovers won 3-1 on penalties)
Net99 FC 1-0 Bobbies Park 1-0
A big thank you
The entire Net Nine Nine team would like to extend a huge thank you to our partners of the event “the CPC (concerned parents campaigns) as well as the mangaung municipality for allowing us to use their beautiful staduim for this wonderful event.
Thanks also to The Mangaung emergency services and police department for keeping the players and the spectators safe and happy, as well as all the All star players for all the teams that completed especially the Bloemfontein Celtic Legends, and Gauteng Legends, and SAFA Mangaung for regulating the soccer at the event.
We had an incredible day hanging out with all the amazing people from Mangaung and enjoyed working with all the stake holders and vendors in Rocklands.
See you at the next event Rocklands!
