A Bo-Kaap mother could not be more proud of her son being selected for the Touch Rugby World Cup in Malaysia later this year.
Now she is making it her mission to get him there by organising various fund-raising events.
Mu’izz Fredericks, a 17-year-old Camps Bay High School pupil needs R50 000 to compete in the mixed under-18 team at the international tournament in Malaysia.
The money being raised will go towards airfare, accommodation, meals, kit, etc. The high cost is a result of touch rugby not being a subsidised sport and receiving no national funding.
Shariefa Fredericks said that she was incredibly proud of her son being selected for the team and it was something that could never be taken away from him.
She said Mu’izz had had to go through various qualifying trials before being selected for the national team.
“I was ecstatic. I am a single mom of four, and he is the youngest. We are all happy for him,” she said.
Ms Fredericks said Mu’izz was also an avid runner and a member of the Bo-Kaap Athletics Club.
However, she said the biggest challenge so far had been raising the funds he needed to be in the team.
Ms Fredericks said her son would also need some spending money once he was in Malaysia. “I have been selling boerewors rolls to raise money, but hiring venues is expensive. We are busy setting up more fund-raisers.”
She thanked the public for their support so far.
“It takes a village to raise a child. We need to be proud of our youngsters.”
Mu’izz said he had always loved rugby and he was excited to be selected for the national team. “I like it because it is a team sport, and you can make many friends.”
He also plays rugby for his school.
“It has a always been a dream of mine to represent my country, and I would hate for financial reasons to stop it.” Other fund-raising efforts from the family include setting up a money box account. The Touch Rugby World Cup takes place in August.
For more information on the fund-raising efforts for Mu’izz, call Ms Fredericks at 078 294 0678.
