How South Africans are stepping up in times of crisis
This week, in a situation that could have easily gone awry, South Africans did what we do best: united and did whatever they could to help young aspiring soccer stars and three coaches return home after they were stranded in Spain.
A total of 25 young footballers from the Cape Flats were stranded in Europe after their academy failed to secure return flights from a youth tournament. Despite parents paying over R50,000 per child, the BT Football Academy offered no solution, and government officials said they were unable to assist financially.
With no flights and limited food, hope didn't come from the government but instead it came from the public.
South Africans donated tens of thousands of rands to bring the children home. Thanks to the generosity by total strangers and activists, by Tuesday, most had landed safely in Cape Town. They are set to return to South African shores this week but were expected to be home on July 15, 2025.
Although touching, it is slightly concerning that ordinary citizens—not the state—are stepping in to rescue, feed, and protect one another in times of crisis.
From mine shafts and flooded villages to football fields and township streets, we look into more displays of community-led heroism.
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