Tsotsobe family spreads sport gospel

Famous siblings hold event to launch non-profit organisation

AS CHILDREN, the Tsotsobes grew up playing sports, something which kept them united as a family, and now they hope to pass that torch onto disadvantaged children in Nelson Mandela Bay.

The Tsotsobe siblings – Proteas cricketer Lonwabo, former South African women’s rugby captain Nomsebenzi and former rugby player Langa – together with boxer Anthony Calata and boxing promoter Mbali Zantsi formed TSO.CA.ZA Sport Development & Production.

They hosted their first event, Last Man Standing, at the weekend.

Nomgqibelo Tsotsobe, 60, a respected sport administrator, said her son, seam bowler Lonwabo – who confirmed last week that he was under investigation for matchfixing – could not attend Saturday’s event because he was training with the Johannesburg-based Lions cricket team.

“Lonwabo could not be here due to prior commitments,” she said.

“The matter [investigation] is at a very sensitive stage and we, the family, cannot comment until investigations are complete.”

Kicking off the non-profit venture with a low-key event on Saturday morning, about 50 men, women and children came together to participate in a fun run, tae bo and aerobics, which was followed by a prize-giving, a braai and activities for the children.

Loud music had the adults dancing and fun and games got the children laughing and playing together at the KwaDwesi Stadium.

Nomsebenzi said Last Man Standing was all about teaching members of underprivileged communities – both young and old – about being healthy.

The aim was to get community members off the streets and involved in healthy activities.

According to Nomsebenzi, the next event will be hosted in April, and once a month thereafter.

They hope to take it across the Eastern Cape in the near future.

“We will see what the response is like and then look at hosting these events more frequently,” she said.

Ward 36 councillor Nomonde Mhlobiso said the children of KwaDwesi and KwaMagxaki looked up to Nomsebenzi and her siblings and that the venture was a great way of keeping them off the streets.

Esona Debe, 8, who attends Parsons Hill Primary School, said he admired the Tsotsobes and enjoyed his day with them.

“My friends and I will definitely be back for future events,” he said.

Last month, the Tsotsobes launched the Tsotsobe Family Trust in the hope of uplifting underprivileged communities through different sports.

They hoped to ultimately build stadiums in some of the communities.

Lonwabo said at the time that as a youngster he and his friends had been forced to play cricket on concrete.