Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis, 59, received a hero’s welcome when she visited her old school, Dryden Street Primary, on Friday August 5.
Ms Ellis, who grew up in Salt River and then moved to Hanover Park, was a former Banyana Banyana player who made history by mentoring the national women’s football team to their first Women’s African Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title, winning the final 2-1 against the host nation, Morocco, in Rabat, towards the end of last month.
Many of the Dryden Street Primary pupils could not stop cheering when they saw Ms Ellis.
Grade 4 pupil Uyingcwele Bambalaza, 10, asked his principal ahead of time if he could hug the Banyana Banyana coach, and Ms Ellis gladly agree to hug him and she placed her WAFCON winner’s medal around his neck.
“I was once a pupil at Dryden Street Primary. It is important to tell the children that their dreams are valid, that they go for it and that they can reach their potential, and it does not matter where you come from, you must continue to believe in your dreams,” she said.
Ms Ellis told the girls at the school that they should believe in becoming anything they wanted to be. “Its important that you have parents who are supportive and allow you to follow your dreams,” she said.
Principal Stanton Smith said it was exciting to have Ms Ellis at the school.
“She followed her passion, she persevered and showed resilience of following football, and the children could see where it all started for her,” he said.
Dr Arlene Adams, who represents the South African Local Government Women’s Commission and who was present at the school, said the country needed more women like Ms Ellis.
“We need to have more programmes of empowerment and skills development of women across the board in national, provincial and local government” she said.
