“Don’t let people put you in a box, don’t let people put a boundary around your potential and try to reach as high as you possibly can.”
These were the words of former Springbok player, Bryan Habana, to Vista High School pupils last Thursday, January 31.
His visit was part of an initiative by the School of Hard Knocks – a charity organisation that uses rugby to teach life-skills to school children most at risk.
The organisation aims to create positive and lasting change in the lives of children, enabling them to take steps towards employment or further education.
Founder and director, Scott Sloan, said this was part of their partnership with the Cape Town 10s which, over the years, had joined different organisations to promote development through sports.
Mr Sloan said they would be working with the school in the next few weeks to help the pupils focus on school and become better people through sports.
“We are aware of the challenges the pupils face, especially the grades 9 to 11 where they are at risk of leaving and we want to encourage them to stay in school, and teach them practical life skills,” he said
Mr Habana told the pupils that they were at a very crucial time in their lives, having faced challenges and struggles that he probably had never had to endure.
“I cannot stress enough to you how important education is it gives you a foundation for the rest of your life and it’s fantastic to hear the achievements of matric 2018.
“You guys as a generation will be the future of the country and the decisions you make today are incredibly important and I urge you to respect your teachers and get this education and always be willing to make a difference,” he said.
Principal Charlene Little said she was grateful to the organisation. “I celebrate my children. I’m happy that they chose my school,” she said.
Mr Little said she knew the children would realise that there’s hope through sports and, that one needed to be disciplined.