Benson Mhlongo launches project to support ex-professionals and young South Africans

Former Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns defender Benson Mhlongo has launched Sports Legends Live, an initiative designed to create work for retired professional footballers while using their experience to support youth development in South Africa.

Mhlongo, who also represented Bafana Bafana, said the project would help former players earn an income and give them a meaningful role in their communities.

The former assistant coach at Cape Town Spurs has recently been seen working in amateur football, including with Rinkase Best XI, who have competed in tournaments such as Philly’s Games.

But speaking to KickOff, Mhlongo explained that his coaching work forms part of a wider plan to connect former professionals with young people and community programmes.

“I’m building my company, Sports Legends Live, where I’m trying to find some work for the ex pros, something to do to earn money. Programmes to help and plough back to the development of the young kids,” he said.

“Everyone needs an income to survive but I’m trying to balance income with experience, to say how can we best use their experience in helping these young boys to be good human beings and helping them to achieve in the future, not only in football but in social life in general.”

Mhlongo wants former players to guide young people

Mhlongo believes retired footballers have knowledge that can be used well beyond the field, comparing their experience with that of educators.

“Their experience for me is the same as a professor at the University, it’s the same as a teacher at school. For me they have a huge role to play in the community, where they can guide young men and young women in how to navigate life, to produce better ethic human beings in our society,” he added.

The initiative will also focus on preventing young people from becoming involved in crime, substance abuse and gender-based violence.

“Gangsterism is taking over, turning young men and women into drug addicts, turning them into killers, turning them into thieves. I think with these guys’ experience, they can help a lot to reduce the level of crime, the level of drug addiction, to reduce GBV and also to help the society to have social cohesion,” Mhlongo said.

He said keeping children occupied from an early age could help them develop discipline and practical abilities for the future.

“An idle mind is a dangerous mind, so we have to keep our kids busy at their early age, start to teach them discipline and give them a little bit of skill that they can use going forward,” the former Bafana Bafana defender said.