EMPOWERING YOUTH THROUGH SPORTS: THE FIGHT AGAINST CRIME IN MANGAUNG

By Lerato Khateane

• Mr. Jimmy Moiloa, a dedicated probation officer from Bloemfontein, has launched the Sports Against Crime initiative to prevent crime among schoolchildren by engaging them in soccer and netball tournaments.
• The programme focuses on keeping children away from crime, gangsterism, and substance abuse by promoting positive activities and motivating them through sport.
• Supported by local stakeholders, including schools and government departments, the initiative aims to expand into a provincial and national tournament, further empowering youth and their families.

Mr Jimmy Moiloa was born and raised in Rocklands, Bloemfontein, as the youngest of five children. He has three brothers and one sister. Jimmy attended Mothusi Primary School and later continued his education at New Horizon College in QwaQwa. He went on to study for a BCom at Vista University, Bloemfontein, but had to drop out due to financial difficulties.

Jimmy began his career at the Department of Social Development (DSD) on 1st November 2003. In 2005, he secured an educational loan to study Child and Youth Care through UNISA. Initially, he worked as an Assistant Probation Officer in Jaggersfontein, serving eight towns. From 2008 to 2019, he joined Mangaung Metro at the One Stop Child Justice Centre, extending his services to areas such as Botshabelo, Thaba Nchu, Excelsior, Tweespruit, Ladybrand, Hobhouse, Wepener, Van Stadensrus, and Dewetsdorp.

In 2020, Jimmy was assigned to serve the greater Mangaung area, which includes Botshabelo, Thaba Nchu, and Bloemfontein. Currently, he works as an Assistant Probation Officer at the Winkie Direko Child Justice Centre, where he deals with children in conflict with the law. His responsibilities include daily monitoring of children’s behaviour through home-based supervision, aftercare, cell monitoring, and running crime prevention awareness campaigns in schools and communities. He also provides parenting skills and information to the families of these children.

As a trained probation officer with expertise in counselling, care and support, diversion programmes, restorative justice, and family group conferencing, Jimmy is also a trainer for the “Ke Moja” programme. Introduced by the Department of Social Services in 2013, “Ke Moja” is a national substance abuse prevention initiative implemented across all nine provinces of South Africa. This programme targets both school-going children and out-of-school youth. Jimmy also conducts meetings with parents to stress the importance of their involvement in their children’s activities, including supporting them in sports to keep them away from crime. Additionally, he has played a key role in forming crime prevention clubs in schools.

Jimmy’s passion for soccer—he plays for the Young Tigers team in Bloemfontein—prompted him to start a crime prevention soccer and netball tournament after years of observing the factors contributing to crime in his community. He recognised that crime among schoolchildren often leads to gangsterism, substance abuse, and even gender-based violence. Furthermore, he realised that a lack of motivation and engaging activities drives many children towards crime. Thus, in 2023, in consultation with his supervisor, Mr. Teboho Rananai, the “Sports Against Crime” initiative was launched, with the aim of engaging all schools within the Mangaung Metro Municipality through annual tournaments. The goal is to keep children busy throughout the year in preparation for these events. Schools have also supported the initiative by providing catering for the children during tournaments, while various stakeholders have assisted with refreshments and other essentials.

Several governmental and non-governmental stakeholders, including Bloemfontein Celtics Veterans and Mangaung Metro Municipality, through Ward 14 Councillor Lebogang Winston Lekgetho, have been approached to support this initiative. The concept paper was drafted, and planning meetings with critical partners such as SAPS, Correctional Services Men’s Forum, the Department of Education, Shoprite, Roots, Twizza, Metropolitan, MTN, and Rocklands Library have been held to ensure the tournament’s success.

The first soccer tournament in 2023 involved four schools from Bloemfontein: Mabolela, Tebelelo, Polokehong, and Botlehadi Intermediate Schools. Due to its success and recognising the need for inclusivity, a netball tournament was introduced in 2024, focusing on the girl child, which was even more successful. Jimmy’s ultimate vision is for this tournament to grow to a provincial and national level, with schools from all over the country competing.

Internally, the tournament is supported by the Communication Section for marketing and coverage, and Tshireletsong Place of Safety provides transportation. Jimmy hopes the provincial Department of Social Development will come on board to support this initiative financially.

The long-term goal of the tournament is to assist children in conflict with the law and their parents by expanding to a provincial and national level. Jimmy also plans to introduce a girls’ soccer tournament in the coming years. He believes children lack positive role models and meaningful activities during their spare time, and this initiative will help fill that gap.

Meetings with parents continue to emphasise the importance of their involvement in their children’s sporting activities to help keep them motivated and on the right path. Additionally, the centre seeks to collaborate with the Department of Arts and Culture, as well as other sports figures, to identify children with talent and provide opportunities to nurture their skills during these tournaments.