The generous support from MTN after winning the Gwijo Challenge competition will help revive Solomon Mahlangu Secondary School’s rugby, principal Mncedi Mtengwana said.
The KwaNobuhle school was handed a cheque for R500,000 on Friday after they were crowned the national winners of the competition.
The Gwijo Challenge was a call from MTN to get schools to rally support for the Springboks during the Rugby World Cup, through song.
The cash prize makes up the share of the R1m that was split between the top three schools that participated in the MTN Gwijo Challenge competition.
Solomon Mahlangu Secondary School with their rendition of Phambili nge’war claimed the first prize.
In second place was Shawbury Senior Secondary School from Qumbu with an original melody, Mabokoboko Mayibuye.
They received R300,000.
Isibonelo High School, from KwaMashu township in KwaZulu-Natal, walked away with R200,000 for the third position with their Isibonelo Sama Boks rendition.
Mtengwana said one of the things that the school planned to use the money on was for closing their open structured hall.
The money would also be used to revive rugby in the school.
“Our school used to do well in rugby, at some point we were the national champions in the Rugby Sevens,” Mtengwana said.
“But now our rugby has declined due to our coaches who have retired.
“Now I am hoping that this support from MTN will uplift our rugby so that we go back to our regional position.
“We are known here as a rugby school but in the last two years or so I think we have declined.”
Former Springbok Akona Ndungane, one of the judges for the challenge, said what stood out about Solomon Mahlangu was their creativity.
“When we looked at the entries, what stood out about this school was their energy and creativity.
“But most of all for us was the inclusivity of everyone, girls and boys, just singing together.
“I think the main thing that one of the judges said was when you listen to iGwijo you need to be in that moment, you need to feel it and it needs to move you, and I think that is what they did.
“They had the votes of everyone and that is why they are number one,” Ndungane said.
MTN senior manager Bongani Ntshingila said: “The main reason for this campaign is to give a voice to South African children because SA children are the future.
“It is important for us to make sure that they have a voice and a say in terms of rallying South African adults in how we are going to support the Springboks.”
HeraldLIVE
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