Soccer stars speak out: NO to abuse!
SOCCER players and legends are saying no to abuse.
Steve Komphela, Bernard Parker, Happy Jele, and Linda Mntambo have partnered with Carling Black Label for the #NoExcuse campaign. The #NoExcuse Pop Up event was held at Four Seasons in Westcliff, Joburg on Wednesday, 29 January.
The campaign aims to combat abuse, linking football with the fight against gender-based violence.
Komphela, who is Mamelodi Sundowns senior coach, said he felt conversations about abuse should be had regularly.
“The role and influence of football and using it to send this message against GBV should happen often. More often than not, we do campaigns as a form of marketing. And I think we should do these campaigns as genuine discussions and the understanding will be better,” he said.
Komphela said he’s seen first-hand what alcohol does to people.
“My opinion as a coach is that I’ve had these experiences firsthand. When a player comes into the ground under the influence, I don’t look at why they are in a drunken state. I look at where they are coming from. If this man is in this state, it simply means that society is in that state,” he said.
The coach said working with this platform has made him a better man. “This tells me to be conscious. It moulds and shapes me. It makes me become a better man and be a role model. I’d love to see more of us men taking responsibilities in life. The challenges we see in life are difficult but only through learning and taking responsibilities, we can overcome,” said the coach.
The alcohol brand’s brand manager, Nonjabulo Ndwandwe, said: “We’ve been on this journey for so long from 2017. We saw the spike in GBV and people were using alcohol as an excuse. So as a brand, we saw that, which meant we couldn’t stand by and do nothing. We wanted to be actively involved in the conversation.”
Former Orlando Pirates Captain, Happy Jele, shared about his experience with brotherhood and how important it is. #NoExcuse @DailysunCelebs @dailysunsa pic.twitter.com/BOjM3CJugc
— Andiswa (@NgenyaneAndiswa) January 29, 2025
“We’ve been part of SA football for so long. So we figured that we could use that platform to bring something so powerful that it speaks to people. Football is part of the Mzansi culture and we have a huge platform. So, we thought we could use soccer as a platform to do good. To show the real injury happens outside of the field,” she said.
Nonjabulo said they would be launching a new project called Champions For Change. “This year, we’ll be launching a PSL player program that will deal with not only GBV within the fraternity but within the teams and the fans.
“It will equip them with skills on how to become good role models. We want to shape the next generation of men. We have a course with modules to unpack what it means to be a champion on and off the field. We have experts that deal with sports wellness and sports mental health. We’ll be rolling it out in all 60 PSL teams to take part,” she said.
They also have a new jersey that goes hand-in-hand with the course. Sekhukhune FC player Mntambo explained more about the jersey.
“The special jersey that stands for football fans. It unites all 60 PSL teams in one. It’s also got a WhatsApp number that helps so before you lash out. You can engage and get assistance. It’s got signatures at the back that people can be a part of once they take part in Champions For Change,” he said.
