Trafalgar High School

Trafalgar High School becomes Homeless World Cup Village

The District Six School instrumental in the fight against apartheid, Trafalgar High School, has united with two other schools in the area to host the Homeless World Cup Village. It welcomes 500 players from 48 countries with open arms as they arrive in Cape Town for their Homeless World Cup adventure.

On 3 September 2006 a special ceremony to announce Trafalgar High’s initiative was attended by Western Cape Minister of Education, Mr Cameron Dugmore and Mayor Helen Zille, who came to show their support for the Homeless World Cup and congratulate Trafalgar High.

Principal Nadeem Hendricks addressed the crowd present to say, “As a community it is our responsibility and duty to lend a helping hand in the upliftment process that the Homeless World Cup is providing to socially marginalised people.”

It was on 11 February 1966 that Minister of Community Development P.W. Botha announced that the greater part of District Six was to be declared a white area. According to the Government, housing in the District was very poor and the region a health hazard. People were removed from their homes as the bulldozers moved in to demolish them.

“District Six playing host to the Homeless World Cup is both poignant and significant, said Mel Young, President and Co-founder, The Homeless World Cup.  “The spirit and soul of District 6 was not lost.  It is being rebuilt.  Just as the lives of the players of the Homeless World Cup destroyed by marginalisation and exclusion are being rebuilt. These players stand proud.

“The Homeless World Cup has demonstrated that sport can change lives, that it can change the world.  It has found a way to put what went wrong right.  The lessons of District 6 are for the world to learn, as are those of the Homeless World Cup.

“We are honoured that the community of District 6 has united to give these courageous and inspiring players a home in Cape Town and will march united with them to Grand Parade where Mandela spoke for freedom, and open the tournament.”  

Some of the infrastructure created for the Homeless World Cup village will be of permanent benefit to the community of schools whilst bedding, linen, cupboards will be donated to neighbouring shelters for the homeless.