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Cape Town is a city of stunning beauty, with its picturesque mountains and stunning coastline, and is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. However, behind its beauty lies a city that suffers from high crime rates, especially violent crime.
Young people growing up in Cape Town often face harsh realities, including exposure to gangs, violence and drugs. For those who are marginalized, the prospects for a brighter future are even more limited.
“I never imagined he would be where he is now,” said Juliet Marman, Eltheo’s mother. “If God puts something in your path, it’s for you, even with your disability. Don’t look at your disability because you can do something with your life.”
The Real Beauty of Cape Town – Part 1: Presented by Eltheo
Eltheo, 23, grew up in Cape Town, South Africa with an intellectual disability.
Eltheo is 23 years old, passionate and determined, but he wasn’t always this way. He started his education in a regular school, where his intellectual disability meant he was never really given a fair chance.
“When I was in elementary school, there was a lot of bullying,” Elthew said. “When I went to Mitchell Plain Skills School, it was different.”
There, Eltheo found the opportunity to express himself, surrounded by athletes like himself. It was at this school that he discovered sports, which gave him the confidence and platform to pursue his dreams.
The Real Beauty of Cape Town – Part 2: Unleashing the Potential
Elithiu went to Mitchell Blaine School of Skill where he got the platform to reach his full potential.
On Mitchell’s Plain, Eltheo met Charles, and the two quickly became friends. They grew up together from an early age, supporting each other as they grew up.
“One hand washes the other,” said Leslyn Manchest, Eltheo’s teacher. “They help each other. What I love about them is that they know exactly what they want and they both work together very well, side by side.”
Living in the same community, they began playing together, often seen outdoors either in groups or alone. Eventually, their shared passion for outdoor play evolved into a project aimed at helping the community.
The Real Beauty of Cape Town – Part 3: An Unbreakable Bond
Eltheo and Charles grew up in the same neighborhood, where they met and became friends.
Their love for the sport became a way to give back to their community. They saw an opportunity to grow football and support the less fortunate.
“What could be different from others?” Charles asked. “We looked at the genders and decided to start training females because there is gender-based violence. Why not make the change to break the silence and give females opportunities to shine?”
Their goal was to create a football club for girls aged 14 to 16, hoping to inspire school-age young people by showing them that there is a future and that they can succeed if they put their minds to it.
“I would probably be on the corner now selling drugs,” said Kayla, a youth soccer player. “It saved me a lot. I’m now focused on studying and soccer and my life is completely different and I’m happy.”
In Cape Town communities, many young girls become mothers at the age of sixteen, leading them down darker paths of drugs, prostitution and gangs. The football club acts as an outlet and a shield against a world that no young person should have to endure.
The Real Beauty of Cape Town – Part 4: Changemakers
Eltheo and Charles realized that young women in their community were not getting the same opportunities and decided to make a change.
Then came the turmoil. Covid-19The entire city in South Africa was locked down. Unable to reach the athletes, Eltheo and Charles looked for other ways to help the less fortunate.
“We decided to distribute food to people because many of them are deprived,” Eltheo said. “If I have enough food and I can give, I will donate. But if I don’t have enough, I will look for other ways to do so.”
They enlisted the help of their family and friends to distribute soup during this difficult time. Despite not being able to host training or matches, they continued to support the girls on their club teams and in the community by feeding over 100 people.
The Real Beauty of Cape Town – Part 5: Feeding Hope
Once the coronavirus hit, Cape Town went into lockdown and Elthew and Charl couldn’t get to training with their team, but they still wanted to help.
The strong friendship and impactful work of both Elicio and Charles not only made a good impression on their families, but also brought the two closer to each other.
“We’re very good friends,” Juliet said. “We visit each other, and sometimes I sleep over. We’re very good friends.”
The support from family members has strengthened the two friends’ ability to give back to their community. In turn, the activities supported by Eltheo and Charles have brought the two families closer together, fostering stronger friendships that had not existed before.
“My brother and I didn’t talk much,” said Eltheo. “But now we talk a lot because we need to know information, maybe we need to meet, so we need to communicate properly. The girls’ (soccer) team has helped us improve.”
Not only did their relationships with their families grow and improve, they also noticed a change in the mindset of their families.
“It changed their outlook on life,” Charles said. “I think at that time, in their time, it wasn’t easy. Maybe they were still stuck in their (old) mentality. But now they see that everyone is in league with everyone.”
The Real Beauty of Cape Town – Part 6: Unity Through Friendship
It wasn’t until Eltheo and Charles’ friendship grew that their families became closer and stronger.
The true beauty of Cape Town is not just its stunning landscapes; it is the compassion, solidarity and support that pervades its community. Elthew and Charles embody the inner beauty of the city.
