JOHANNESBURG – Today Chevrolet in South Africa welcomed home their VIP guests in the form of two football fanatics namely twelve year old Nokuthula Nkabinde and eleven year old Mfanelo Mabale.
Welcoming the mascots this morning are from left, back, GM International director of Marketing, Mark Harland, Mike Devereux GM International vice president, Sales, Marketing and Aftersales, Brian Olson, GM South Africa vice president, Sales, Marketing and Aftersales, front, Nokuthula Nkabinde, Bidvest Wits coach, Gavin Hunt and Mfanelo Mabale
The global automotive brand brought 11 children from around the world to experience Manchester United’s opening Premier League game against Swansea on Saturday 16 August. The South African two mascots returned home with boundless energy and endless stories from their adventure.
Born and raised in Katlehong, Nokuthula would never had previously even allowed herself to dream of such an opportunity;
“I work very hard at school and I want to become a teacher and help the children of our future. That is my dream. I cannot believe that I was selected for this trip – I am going to dream about this last week for a very long time.”
Grade six learner at Bopang Kgotso Primary School in Vosloorus, Mfanelo, 11, probably still thinks he’s in a dream when he was asked to walk out with Wayne Rooney,
“I don’t know what to say… Thank you Chevrolet! I couldn’t believe my eyes when Mr. Rooney was wearing my name on his back.”
Chevrolet SA Brand Manager, Tim Hendon concludes;
“We felt it fitting to host a welcome home party for Nokuthula and Mfanelo at our new General Motors sales and marketing office in Woodmead. We asked coach Gavin Hunt to attend and congratulate our two heroes as well. Nokuthula and Mfanelo represented our country with pride and if they are anything to go by, our future looks very bright. We are delighted to have opened the eyes of these two promising youngsters.”
Through its Ute Force initiative and partnership with Dreamfields Project, Chevrolet continues to realise the dreams of young players. “We have recently donated 55 000 One World Futbols, a nearly indestructible soccer ball, to the South African Football Association Development Agency to help develop young talent in the country,” Hendon said.
