A CAPE Town duo are determined to bring change to the lives of young people from the Western Cape’s impoverished, gang-ridden areas. Friedl Gertse was born and raised in Kuils River. He attended De Kuilen Primary and Sarepta Secondary schools and now manages the digital marketing of a private distance-learning college. However, he always felt he could do more with his life.
“A soccer club is something I’ve always wanted to start as I love soccer. I’m a very competitive person and I dreamt of one day competing in top leagues in Cape Town, but to also have some of the boys scouted to play for the top clubs in South Africa.
“I used to play for a soccer club in Kuils River and I am a huge Manchester United supporter, so when I watch Premier League games I look at how I can make a difference, the same way these big clubs are doing,” said Gertse.
In 2010, Gertse met Magadien Wentzel, who shared his vision. In 2020 the two reconnected and decided to found a soccer club, a dream both of them shared, especially since Wentzel used to coach soccer and has a coaching certification. Within a few weeks their dream turned into reality.
“We then formed a club called Young Tornado Warriors. The name for the club was inspired by a 1999 tornado that hit Manenberg, where a community lost everything.
“We came up with this name to remind the boys that no matter what life throws at you, or if you lose everything, you will always come out a warrior and prosper. “Ultimately, our objective is to bridge the gap between soccer and education,” said Gertse. Wentzel, who spent 25 years in jail, was determined to make a difference, so upon his release on July 19, 2003, he pledged to give back to his community.
“After my house arrest was completed, I decided to start a youth development group called Tornado Stallions Youth Development,” said Wentzel. “In prison I studied psychology until I decided to become a cardiovascular fitness instructor. I became the coach of the first team of the West Albion soccer club in our community and achieved huge success, until the club closed.” Gertse is now striving to change people’s mindset of Manenberg. “We only hear the bad, and I want to change this.
I believe we can reduce the recruitment into gangsterism if we, as a community, work together. “We can change the gangsters’ hearts, as many of these gangsters want to play soccer, and had dreams of playing in top leagues.” Gertse said they have 80 players, including under-11, under-13 and under-15, as well as a second team and a first team. Gertse said they have also decided to start a women’s team. “Our mission is to educate women and equip them to start their own businesses by alleviating poverty within their communities.”
Gertse and his team are running a feeding scheme for about 30 to 40 children in Wellington, Cape Town. They are also helping small-business owners with business registration and compliance administration. They are helping a household to set up a tuck shop and are also in the process of assisting a former prisoner to start this own barber shop.
Gertse says they would like to see young people pass matric and receive study assistance to succeed in careers. Gertse’s NPO, Greater Purpose Outreach, still requires many things to help them reach their goals, such as website development, partnerships with other organisations, sponsorships, donations and volunteers.
If you are able to assist Greater Purpose Outreach in any way, contact Friedl Gertse on friedl@greaterpurposeoutreach.co.za.
