Bafana Bafana Social Project

Added: Tuesday, July 28, 2009 (16:39)

The Official Bafana Bafana Social Project, the United 4 Bafana Bafana, "Buy a Band, Donate a Rand Campaign” was recently launched by SAFA together with SLAM, SAFA Master Licensee.

The Bafana Bafana Social Project is part of our national football team's legacy programme for 2010 – their way of making a difference through a credible social programme, and at the same time leaving a positive mark in the community from now leading up to the World Cup.

The unique and colourful rubber wristband represents a tangible unifying symbol, as well as being an affordable accessory with which all South Africans can identify. By purchasing a band, we as South Africans are not only showing our support for the team, we are also contributing to the success of World Cup 2010 and to social upliftment.

For every band sold, one rand will go to developing the young football stars of tomorrow through the SAFA Development Trust aimed at developing all aspects of the beautiful game, as well as to other credible charities through The Trust, a registered web portal which provides a network of reputable and accountable South African charities in 13 of the most important social categories, which are selected through a due diligence process so to ensure accountability irrespective of their size, purpose or geographical location.

“We are incredibly proud of this initiative,” said Raymond Hack, CEO of the South African Football Association. “Football has the exceptional ability to unite a nation, and the funds generated through the sale of the bands will go a long way in building the champions of tomorrow.”

Retailer Pick 'n Pay, has come out in support of this one-of-a-kind initiative and will partner the United 4 Bafana Bafana Campaign for the launch phase. Pick 'n Pay has purchased 200 000 wristbands which have been on sale at Pick 'n Pay stores throughout the country as from Thursday 16 July 2009.

In keeping with their ongoing commitment to social responsibility, Pick 'n Pay has taken their involvement even further by committing to match every rand donated to the campaign through the sale of the wristbands.

SAFA has committed to marketing the band as the Official Bafana Bafana Social Project from now until 2010 and to support the campaign by investing and leveraging the team in every possible way. The initiative will kick off with a compassionate and emotional campaign, the face of which is none other than Bafana Bafana's most capped player, one of South Africa's role models both on and off the field of play and captain of our national football team, Aaron Mokoena.

“By wearing the band you are not only supporting the team but our dream for a better South Africa. That's why I am proud to be part of this initiative," said Aaron Mokoena, "I hope that others like me will follow in promoting the campaign and in raising funds for the less fortunate. It's important that we do our best off the field of play, just as we do on the field when we represent our country and hold the hopes of millions of South Africans.”

To top it all when consumers purchase the United 4 Bafana Bafana band, they will also have the opportunity to win great soccer prizes. The competition element is hosted within the mobile application mibli – owned by the Mobile Services Company. By sending the unique number (found on the back of the pack) to a shortcode, customers stand in line to win fabulous soccer prizes! Once the user has registered with mibli they will immediately have access to a free United 4 Bafana Bafana wallpaper to be found in the download section on the mibli main menu.

The United 4 Bafana Bafana Wristband is on sale in all Pick 'n Pay stores countrywide for R14.99.

Make your difference, support your team, support your country! Buy a Band, Donate R1.