Winslow Crane-Murdoch
Meet the Faces
Vusumzi Shushu
Vusi was born in the Eastern Cape and moved to Cape Town at a young age. He grew up on the outskirts of Khayelitsha, and when he was 10 years old he decided to quit school and go search for a job. By the age of 12 he was living on the streets.
Vusi found the Homeless World Cup in 2010 as well. He made the team with Lukes and traveled to Brazil.
“Football, to me, it’s one of those things that actually made me to realize who I am, what do I want to do, where am I seeing myself. All in total it has actually (brought) my dreams back... I’ve used football to reach the center of myself.”
Vusi now works for Oasis as an outreach coordinator. He has a presence with those that he works that is respected and appreciated. There is no expert like the experienced and watching Vusi work, it is obvious that he knows exactly what is needed to reach the youth in these communities. Like Lukes he is a mentor and inspiration to the kids that he coaches.
Lukhanyo Mjoka
I met Lukes on the first day I arrived at Oasis, and I was with him almost every day for the month that I was there. He grew up in the Township of Khayelitsha, and left home at the age of 7 to go live on the streets. In 2010, after being busted for meth possession at the age of 24, he decided to try out for the South African Homeless World Cup team. He made the squad and captained the team as they traveled to Brazil to compete.
He told me, “You know it was a dream come true for me – because I always told myself that I’ve got good leadership skills – and being named the captain of the team to go to Brazil…it wasn’t just an achievement, it was something that actually changed my life."
In 2011 Lukes returned to the Homeless World Cup in Paris as the assistant coach. He now works for Oasis as one of the main coaches and coordinators within the community. His interactions with the youth that he coaches are a testament to what he has done with his life, and who he has become. They look up to him as a leader and a mentor, and he is an inspiration to everyone he meets. Lukes taught me so much, and it was an honor getting to know him.
Thulisile Bolana
Thulisile was born in Nyanga on the outskirts of Cape Town, and spent most of his youth in a children's home. He met Lukes at the home and they played soccer together from a young age. In 2009 Thulisile tried out for the Homeless World Cup, and made the team that traveled to Milan. He says going to the Homeless World Cup was something that changed his life, and when he returned he convinced Lukes to try out the following year.
“It is difficult for me to define it, but I’ve changed my life through soccer. If I didn’t actually (start) to play soccer…I wouldn’t be a person who would have been able to change his life…I could say, soccer for me, it means something huge.”
He now works for Oasis as an outreach coordinator, and helps to coach and mentor the youth. As I was working with Oasis, Thulisile was finishing his matriculation, and on his way to receiving his high school diploma. Although he didn't speak in the final edit of the film, meeting and interacting with him helped inform and direct my understanding. He was a pleasure to meet, and again, an inspiration.