On Friday, 12th December, Kick4Life hosted its fourth annual Academy Prom celebration, honouring academy participants who completed their secondary education in 2025. The event has become a cherished tradition, bringing together student-athletes and their families to celebrate years of dedication, resilience, and academic commitment, regardless of individual exam outcomes. Many of the graduates have been active members of the Academy’s tutoring programme, demonstrating their determination to excel both on and off the field.
Fourteen student-athletes attended the celebration, with opening remarks from Academy Manager, Mrs. ‘Mahapiloe Putsoane, who thanked parents and participants for their unwavering support. This was followed by reflections from academy staff members, including football coaches, the Academics Coordinator, a tutor, and the Character Enrichment Coach, Mr. Thabo Mosebekoa, who highlighted how strong personal character helps young athletes manage both their studies and football, a key part of the Kick4Life Academy’s approach.
Parents shared heartfelt messages of gratitude for Kick4Life’s impact on their children’s growth, while representatives from the Community Programmes and Social Enterprises departments explained the work of their units, helping parents see that Kick4Life’s support extends far beyond football.
Two graduates, Mariam Monnapula and Thapelo Mahao, delivered powerful speeches reflecting on their journeys.
Mariam described Kick4Life as “more than just a community, but a catalyst for growth,” sharing how she overcame academic challenges through the support of tutors, “especially the Sesotho tutors.” She encouraged her peers to recognise the depth of their efforts, saying, “We’ve made it. Let’s acknowledge our hard work, our perseverance, our achievements, and most importantly, our late nights and everyday prayers.” She closed with an inspirational reminder grounded in faith: “He who began a good work in you shall bring it to completion,” and a message of humility and patience: “Stay small enough, long enough, you’ll be big enough, soon enough.”
Thapelo’s speech captured the resilience required of a student-athlete. Reflecting on the challenges of the journey, he told the audience, “Today isn’t about finishing school — it’s about surviving the pressure, the stress, the long nights, the training sessions, the injuries, and still showing up.” He added, “We didn’t just get through high school, we fought through it, and that’s something to be proud of.” Acknowledging the unseen effort behind their achievements, he shared, “Even when it felt like no one saw the grind, we kept going.” He expressed deep appreciation for the support systems around him, calling Kick4Life “a second family,” and inspired fellow graduates with the words, “We’re done with school, but we’re just getting started with life… and trust me, the world is not ready for what’s coming next.”
To conclude the evening, graduates received certificates of achievement recognising their successful completion of secondary education and their outstanding effort, discipline, and growth throughout their time at the Kick4Life Academy.
Kick4Life Country Director, Mr. Motlatsi Nkhahle, officially closed the ceremony by encouraging students to remain adaptable and multi-skilled in a rapidly changing world. He reminded them that opportunity favours those who are prepared, reinforcing the message: “Luck is when opportunity meets preparedness.”
