azania open view

Producing prominent rugby players from the township is Anele’s passion

Anele Mahaye is a dynamic, all-rounder with extensive cross functional experienced gained from playing rugby with The Sharks. Mahaye is the former Sharks Player from eSikhaleni, who started playing rugby at an early age in 1995.  During his primary life he was selected to play for KwaZulu-Natal based team called Iqhawe, which grooms boys from 16-20 years. Like any other kid passionate about sports he worked hard and reap what he sowed thereafter he was told to be ready to go to overseas to play rugby and assist in couching.

He describe his stay overseas as a door opener as he was exposed to many opportunities. He was selected by Norges Idretts  as a sport volunteer to assist in couching rugby because they wanted to know and understand how South Africans play.

“I stayed for the term of 2 years and proved to be the best rugby couch they’ve ever had. I was then given the opportunity to create a sporting programme that will go down to the children in schools, Fana Rugby Club was a success with the help of Karl Frisch, the children loved and benefited from it” said a proud Mahaye.

Mahaye is the recipient of more than 15 gold and silver medals obtained around the world and a certificate for an active youth course, the course for empowering youth with skills in organizing and conducting sessions to improve activity in their community.

While overseas he made a promise to himself to come back to his country and develop talent in his own area. When he came back he assisted uMkhanyakude District Municipality Sport and Recreation in couching the rugby team from 2013- 2015. Currently he is couching the eSikhaleni rugby club which plays in the webber cup and is the only black rugby team in Zululand.

He says playing rugby taught him many things and restrained him from doing bad things, “I am from a township where young people are exposed to crime and drugs at an early age. Keeping busy and playing helped in keeping me away from doing those things. Every time I see Siyabonga Buthelezi playing I feel proud because he is the living proof of my hard work in couching, my main aim is to see enough black rugby players in Olympics, being treated equal as other races and getting payments they deserve”  said Mahaye.

He is fascinated by many things in life especially seeing young people giving back and helping others which is why he is in the process of establishing his NPO to help and promote youth in sport, with the experience he has and the certificates he has obtained he is curtained to make this NPO a success.

Azania open view

Khanyi Mdluli