Our Story
489 is just a number, an area code that represents Khuma Township in the North West Province, South Africa
Established by Dr. Anthon Makhaya Tshona, better known as Toto, and Mr. Gladwell Lebogang Molakeng, also known as LeBoTutor in 2013. 489Movement SMACKE is a Nonprofit Company for children and youth interested in Sport, Music, Art, Culture, Knowledge, and Environment (SMACKE). We provide a platform for children and youth to advance education and talent in the North West Province and beyond.
Setting the scene
Still on soccer, back in the days, we used to have people like late Mr. Ranku, Mr. Ta Hoko, Mr. Ma-Easter, the late Mr. Bobo Sikhakhane voluntarily developing and nurturing the talent of young players. Notable players that were developed by these recognizable people include Mr. Harry Mohajane (former Orlando Pirates Development player), Mr. Philly Mokabane (former School of Excellence and Super Sport Soccer Academy player), and more. Apart from soccer, our township has seen other people prosper in Art and Culture; for example, Mr. Tembile Botman, Tebogo Selebogo and Ms. Busisiwe Nolubaba Nqwiliso have done well in the area of acting, dancing, and singing, respectively.
To be continued…
Despite all of these great stories in the year 2010 – 2022, Khuma township witnessed a decline in Sports, Music, Art, and Cultural activities. This is true because the infrastructure has deteriorated. For instance, the sports complex does not have electricity, water, changing rooms and toilets. This could be one of the reasons that many teenagers in our township have little or no interest in sports, art, music and cultural activities. Nowadays, teenagers are exposed more to bad habits such as drinking, drugs, crime, and other negative stuff. To address these challenges, we believe that children and youth should spend more time doing Sports, Music, Art, Culture, Knowledge, and Environment. By this, we mean that children and youth need a platform to show case their talents and have fun.
2013 until infinity.
The Founders of 489Movement SMACKE NPC
Dr. Toto Tshona
Dr. Toto Tshona is a Mathematics teacher by profession. He is the co-founder of 489Movement and teaching at Thuto Thebe Secondary School in Khuma Township. His interested in professional development of Mathematics teachers. His focus area is on establishing communities of practice among primary and secondary mathematics school teachers.
Mr. Lebogang Molakeng
Mr. Lebogang Molakeng is one the co-founders of 489Movement and he is a teacher by profession teaching at Are-Ipeleng Primary School. He is the Departmental Head of Mathematics and Sciences Subjects. His interested in Learner Support. He believes that “all learners can learn”.
The movement’s founders met at North West University in Potchefstroom Campus at the Faculty of Education. As founders, they were concerned about the community’s state of Sports, Music, Art, Culture, Knowledge, and Environment (SMACKE). They observed that there needed to be more participation in SMACKE by children and youth. Also, they noted that opportunities for children and youth to participate in SMACKE were minimal.
Then they established 489Movement SMACKE NPC to address these challenges by initiating and implementing programmes that support and promote SMACKE in the community and beyond. It is important to note that the founders officially registered the movement as a Non-Profit Company in 2021 after eight years of existence.
In its existence, the movement has never been funded or sponsored to execute its objectives and mandate. This means the movement has been getting financial support from the founders using money from their pockets. Nevertheless, we have been gaining significant help from community people through in-kind donations. They have provided us with plants, soccer balls, net-balls, labour, and more, particularly the youth who volunteer in our programmes. Moreover, we have created partnerships with recognizable people and organizations in the community and beyond. Since its inception, 489Movement has provided a platform for children and youth to promote SMACKE.
Sport
Our ultimate goal is to build a Sports Academy in our township; as a result, we host Soccer and Netball Coaching Clinics, Kasi Schools Sports Friendly Games, and Sports Tournaments such as Metshameko-Ya-Paseka and Metshameko-Ya-December. We invite children and youth to play soccer, Netball, Chess, Indigenous Games, Dice Games, and more. In 2023 will be conceptualizing a Kasi Schools Sports League. We aim to strengthen our relationships with two primary schools, Khuma and Are-Ipeleng, and expand our programmes to other schools in the community.
Music, Art and Culture
Each year during public holidays, we host Edutainment Events where children and youth are invited to participate in Music, Arst, Culture, and activities. In these events, we support and advance artists’ talents in music, art, filming, acting, drama, dance, and more. We also host Open Mic Sessions for music artists, where they come together and showcase their skills.
Knowledge
We also, provide a platform for supplemental teaching by implementing Saturday and Holiday School Programme. In this programme we teach mathematics, natural sciences, physical sciences, and computer literacy. In addition, we initiate and implement programmes that promote career guidance and planning. We are proud to note that some of the learners who participated in our programmes went on to further their studies at higher institutions.
Environment
In 2014 with the help of the community and young people, the movement embarked on a cleaning campaign, targeting illegal dumping sites to promote a clean and conducive environment. The cleaning campaign encouraged the adoption of a dumping site, planted trees, flowers, and lawns, and converted the space into a garden with self-made chairs and tables.
The dumping site has become a social gathering place for children and youth where they meet to play games such as Morabaraba, Checkers, Chess, Ludo, Snake, and Ladders, etc. Also, the movement uses this garden to host some Edutainment Events, including BBQ-YA-BANA, Let’s Celebrate Heritage Together, and Easter & Festive Games.
Our main focus is to use the dumping site for business purposes by housing a Kiosk, Car Wash and Chesa Nyama.
Our Vision
We envisioned a community where all children and youth take action in Sport, Music, Art, Culture, Knowledge, and Environment (SMACKE) to create opportunities for themselves and others.
Our Mission
Our mission is to provide a platform to children and youth interested in sports, music, art, culture, knowledge, and the environment.
Our objectives
- Develop a Saturday and Holiday School Learning Programme (SHSLP) for primary and secondary school learners to develop academic knowledge, skills and values.
- Develop career guidance and planning for primary and secondary school learners.
- Host Edutainment Events (EE) to raise awareness about SMACKE.
- Create an Educational Learning Centre (Skills Development Centre)
- Upgrade Kasi Schools Sports fields
- Establish a Football Academy for boys and girls
- Establish a Kasi Schools Sports League
- To engage children and youth in music, dance, and art
- To raise funds through the collection, donation or subscription, and other means and invest money or incur expenditure in such manner as shall promote the attainment of goals and objectives of 489Movement SMACKE
Our values
- Look
- Listen
- Learn
- Read
- Write
- Calculate
- Talk
