It was a life time experience for me to be at Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, last Saturday.
I witnessed the global kick off of the Goal4Africa fundraising system and awareness campaign.
Goal4Africa celebrated its worldwide kick off in honour of Nelson Mandela’s 90th birthday. Mandela sent his regards to visitors and spectators in a video message at the start of the event. It is his belief that the world can be a better place if everybody starts helping. Goal4Africa raises funds for education and social development in Africa inspired on Nelson Mandela’s vision and dream.
In the presence of top football players such as Seedorf, Ballack, Gattuso and Van Persie, Sizwe Mandela, grandson of Nelson Mandela, scored the first goal. This was the first of many goals to be scored to help raise funds for education and social development in Africa in the build up towards the FIFA World Cup 2010™. The event was broadcast in over 65 countries worldwide.
The two teams, called ‘Edu’ and ‘Cation’, to underline the goals of the Foundation and the friendly character of the match, were headed up by the team captains Seedorf of the ‘Edu’ team dressed in white shirts, and Ballack of the ‘Cation’ team wearing blue shirts. The teams scored 15 goals.
Spectators and visitors worldwide could sponsor each goal scored in the match by sending text messages (SMS) and/or donating through the Goal4Africa web site (www. goal4africa.org). Jürgen Klinsmann and Zico, head coach of the ´Edu´ team, did the honorary kick off.
The kick off event had a musical start with a live performance of Ali Campbell, legendary voice of UB40, and male choral group Ladysmith Black Mambazo, who performed the Official Anthem for Goal4Africa together, a unique version of the famous Jimmy Cliff song ‘Many Rivers to Cross’. When the players arrived on the field, British classical singer Keedie and the South African group The Bala Brothers performed the football anthem ‘Nessun Dorma”.
Many representatives of Goal4Africa’s partners witnessed the global kick in the stadium. Goal4Africa is endorsed by powerful partners worldwide including global organisations, celebrities and football players. The Nelson Mandela Foundation and the Peace and Sport Foundation already contribute to and benefit from the Foundation. Other current implementing partners are Champions for Children, JCI (Junior Chamber International), Diambars and Right to Play.
Clarence Seedorf, Goal4Africa’s first and global ambassador, will continue his support in the coming two years.