Ramatsiyi Moholoa

Ramatsiyi Moholoa

Soccer legend Jomo Sono will deliver the keynote address at the second yearly Safa Soweto Awards ceremony at Maponya Mall on December 19.

"It will be an honour for us to have Bra J (Sono) after he was recently honoured by Fifa," said Phil "Chippa" Mogodi, Safa Soweto chief executive officer.

"Bra J is also relevant in the sense that he is also serving on the Fifa development committee, the man was also born and bred in Soweto."

The awards were launched by Safa Soweto to honour the players, officials and journalists who contributed to the development of soccer in the township.

Last year's recipients included Irvin Khoza, Kaizer Motaung, Jack Sello, Johannes "Rhyder" Mofokeng, Johannes "Yster" Khomane, Jacob "Terror" Sephooa, Pitso "Jingles" Mosimane and Mike "Nanana" Ntombela.

"Our executive members are all working hard to make the awards bigger and better. We want it to be one of the biggest events on the soccer calendar in South Africa," said Mogodi.

Safa Soweto have put together a big list of legends who will be honoured this year, who include Johannes "Chippa" Molatedi and Joel "Ace" Mnini.

Others are Mandla Sithole, Ntsie Maphike, Doctor Khumalo, Andries Mpondo, Goodman Hlongwane, Linda Buthelezi, Papi Khomane, Godfrey Sapula and Marks Maponyane.

"We are also using soccer to reposition Soweto as a tourist attraction township ahead of the 2009 Confederations Cup and 2010 World Cup," added Mogodi.

"The majority of tourists who will be coming to our country in 2009 and 2010 will come to Soweto. A visit to South Africa without coming to Soweto is incomplete.

"We need to join forces with other stakeholders to promote our township," said Mogodi.

Mogodi is one of the younger generation of soccer bosses expected to be elected to serve on the new Safa executive committee next year.