Coach Aphelele

Pronouns: He/Him

Hometown: Phillipi

Favorite Sport: Soccer

Can you tell us about your background and what led you to become a coach at the School of Hard Knocks?

As a person who grew up in a township, the only way to escape gangsterism is through sport, so I fell in love with soccer. I played soccer throughout my childhood, but even there, it was not easy because we saw everything that was happening in our community, but I stayed focused on my studies. The reason I became a coach was because I wanted to be there for younger people than me to mentor them and change their lives. I experienced many things and made terrible decisions, but now I want them to tackle all the struggles and things they could face in life, give them tools to cope, and be able to play sports with a healthy mentality.

What are some of the biggest challenges you've faced as a coach, and how have you overcome them?

I had a lack of confidence, and I couldn’t ask when I didn't understand, which affected my work. I did self-reflection and asked myself what I wanted to achieve. I started to challenge myself and constantly push myself to make sure I understood everything. I learned from my peers to gain my confidence back and be there for them when they needed me.

Can you share a success story or a memorable moment from your time coaching at the School of Hard Knocks?

I've had extraordinary moments as a coach and have grown up to be the person I am now. The confidence I gained there is lovely because of their excellent workplace, where we have to be able to express ourselves and learn from other people. My memorable moments as a coach were making relationships in all the schools we worked with and how participants acknowledged us and our impact on them.

What advice do you give your students about maintaining their mental health and well-being?

Mental health and well-being are very important, and if you are able to understand yourself, you can reach beyond your limits just by practicing a healthy lifestyle. I know some ways of dealing with mental health and positive well-being may be very difficult, but being open to learning new things allows change in life to be where you want to be and your strong

Coach Zintle

Pronouns: She/Her

Hometown: Lower Cross Roads and Samora

Favorite Sport: Soccer and basketball

Can you tell us about your background and what led you to become a coach at the School of Hard Knocks?

Since I was young, I've always had a passion for sports. During primary school, there was an after-school sports program that featured various sports like soccer, basketball, cricket, and netball, and I eagerly participated. Among these, soccer became my greatest passion due to my proficiency in the sport. Unfortunately, the high school I attended didn't offer any sports programs for girls. Despite this setback, I focused on my studies and eventually enrolled in university to pursue a degree. During my final year of university, I became inspired to become a SOHK coach after witnessing the impactful work being done there. I saw it as an opportunity to make a positive difference and to serve as the role model I had yearned for during my high school years. Additionally, I aimed to raise awareness among young people about mental health and the importance of self-worth.

What are some of the biggest challenges you've faced as a coach, and how have you overcome them?

Earlier this year, my mental health was not in the best shape. This was primarily due to challenges I had faced in recent years, notably the burden of unpaid university fees. I had suppressed many negative emotions, yet the guilt and shame of not completing my studies lingered. Moreover, I realized I needed to prioritize my mental well-being as it affected my job performance and my ability to appreciate my current blessings, such as having a great job. One of the privileges of being a coach at SOHK is access to mental health services like therapy and counseling. I took advantage of these sessions and actively worked on improving myself personally, aiming to be fully engaged and realize my coaching potential. These sessions have significantly contributed to my ability to perform at my best as a coach. I feel confident in expressing my ideas and take pride in my coaching performance.

Can you share a success story or a memorable moment from your time coaching at the School of Hard Knocks?

As a SOHK coach, we receive performance reviews, and my initial one was disappointing. Instead of dwelling on it, I reflected on the reasons for my subpar performance and identified ways to improve my coaching role. I sought therapy to work on personal growth and set a goal to request weekly feedback from team leaders. By the time of my second review, I noticed significant improvement, which was affirmed by positive feedback and encouragement from my bosses and team leader. I felt immensely proud to have exceeded expectations in most aspects of my coaching responsibilities. The momentum gained from the second review inspired me to push myself further, which was evident in subsequent reviews that continued to reflect my ongoing personal and professional growth.

What advice would you give to students who come from a similar background as the students who attend SOHK programs?

We mostly go to schools with students that do not know about mental health nor access to services like therapy/counselling. I would advice the students to take care of themselves by being in touch with their emotions-even the negative ones. I would tell them to embrace being different and to remember that their background does not define their future. With determination and resilience, they can achieve their academic and personal aspirations. They must recognize that it's okay to ask for help when needed. Whether it's talking to a trusted person, seeking counselling if available, or reaching out to a trusted friend(s), seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

I advise the students to prioritize self-awareness and establish a regular self-care routine that includes activities they enjoy. Maintaining healthy habits like balanced nutrition, exercise, and sufficient sleep is crucial. I encourage them to seek support from friends, family, or counselors when needed, and to set boundaries to prevent burnout. Practicing mindfulness, staying connected with loved ones, and fostering continuous learning mindset also contribute to their overall well-being.

“We are excited to embark on this transformative journey with Investec. There is substantial alignment across our two organisations and with Investec’s invaluable support, we are poised to expand our reach and deepen our impact, enriching the lives of many young people in our communities.” - Lana Rolfe, Chief Operating Officer at SoHK.

At the School of Hard Knocks (SoHK) we use sports and mental health interventions to help South African youth overcome trauma and develop coping skills, enabling them to reach their potential. By building trust and strong relationships, SoHK coaches teach life skills, offer support, and, when needed, connect participants with professional mental health services. The program addresses the high rates of trauma among South Africa’s youth, who face an average of five to eight adverse events annually.

Investec’s involvement continues its long-standing support of rugby, which is now aimed at creating transformational change at the school level by supporting the mental and emotional development of young people.

Coach Anthony

Pronouns: He/Him

Hometown: Guguletu, Section 2

Favorite Sport: Football and MMA

Coach Anthony understands and has personally faced the harsh realities of growing up in an area deeply impacted by gang violence. Yet, with the support of strong role models like his mother and community leaders, he found his calling as a coach at the School of Hard Knocks. Today, he combines his passion for sports with a mission to inspire our students and community, encouraging them to rise above their circumstances and shape their own futures.

Can you tell us about your background and what led you to become a coach at the School of Hard Knocks?

Well I grew up in a area where gang violence was an pandemic and I was fortunate enough that I was raised in a Christian Household and I had strict parents but I always looked up to my mother. She was a single parent who owned a mini spaza shop and netball team, and I think that was from her. My football coach (Bra Sticks) was the biggest role model in my life. He did numerous community work, and you could see changes in people's lives; he found safe homes for neglected children, which led me to this path of supporting my community.

How do you tailor your coaching methods to accommodate different learning styles and abilities?

By being open minded coming in to the sessions with a fixed way of doing things is good but leaving room for unexpected questions or answers is a bonus. And continuesly asking are we in the same page or do you helps alot in sessions to see if no one is left behind and the last one is to be flexible.

What advice would you give to students who come from a similar background as the students who attend SOHK programs?

Don't let the environment you were growing up in determine your future.

How do you prioritize and maintain your own mental health while managing the demands of coaching?

I always give myself time to do what I love and be around people I love. Don't dwell on things that are out of your control.

Coaches like Anthony play a transformative role in the lives of students at the School of Hard Knocks, offering both guidance and hope in challenging environments. By leading with empathy and dedication, they help young people discover their potential and break the cycle of adversity in their communities.

We are incredibly honoured to be named as a new Investec partner.

Over the last 25 years, Investec has supported many rugby properties, with the most recent being the title sponsor of the Investec Champions Cup. This partnership expands on the focus of creating transformational value but at school-level, with a strong focus on supporting young impressionable minds. The partnership will provide the necessary funding to allow SoHK to not only deliver on this year’s curriculum and retain the current coaches, but also the capacity to scale and upskill new coaches to reach more learners.

Coach Yongi

Pronoun: she/they

Home: Khayelitsha Makhaza**

Favorite Sport: Soccer and touch rugby

How do you tailor your coaching methods to accommodate different learning styles and abilities?

I would say that my coaching style is ensure that am open book that like to learn new skills and improve being a coach overall.

What are some of the biggest challenges you've faced as a coach, and how have you overcome them?

Being misunderstood. I’ve learned to create boundaries and focus on self-respect. You can't change how people see you, so it's important to accept that and stay true to yourself.

What advice do you give to your students about maintaining their mental health and well-being?

I'd tell them to talk things out with someone they trust because keeping stuff bottled up only makes it worse. And it's okay to feel whatever you're feeling—just let yourself go through it. You gotta feel it to heal it, so don't push your emotions away.

**Khayelitsha is a small and impoverished township in the southern border of Cape Town, South Africa. Many students from these regions lack access to essential mental health support and a positive community that fosters personal development. Like Yongi, our students face similar disadvantages, but Yongi's journey is a testament to the power of resilience. Together, we can thrive as a community and build a brighter future for our students as we Tackle Trauma Together!