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CK 89/07906/23
P.O. Box 7158, Johannesburg 2000
BRANCHES AT: Shop 10, Klein StreetBetween Noord & De Villiers Streets Johannesburg 2001 Tel: 333-4715
Shop 15, Post Office Centre Bramley, Wynberg Tel: 440-1468
WAREHOUSE; 42A Maddison Street,Jeppe, Johannesburg 2001 Tel: 614-7073 (also fax)
SpECiAlisT SUppllERS o fRaw MateriaIs to ihE Footwear,
lEAThER & ShoE Repair hdusTRiEs
Congratulations Sioaraj Sporting CCuS on your Qof^en JuBUee
WisBing you aCC tfie success in tfiefuture
In loving memory of Nandiben Ranchod: Dr Natvar Bhowan & Family^ ^ .
Contents __Editorial.......................................................................................................................3&5
Chairman’s M essage................................................................................................. 7
Secretarial R e p o r t ..................................................................................................... 9
Patrons Messages...................................................................................................... 11
The First and Second Decades................................................................................. 1 3 -2 3
The Formation of S.A. Soccer Federation .............................................................25 & 27
Obituaries................................................................................................................... 29 -37
Third D ecade............................................................................................................. 39-41
Messages of Su pport................................................................................................ 43-47
Colour Photographs................................................................................................. 49-56
Honorary Life P ro files ..............................................................................................59-75
Collage o f Photographs........................................................................................... 76-83
Soccer in Lenasia...................................................................................................... 85
Profiles........................................................................................................................ 87
Motivation in Sport..................................................................................................... 89-9
The Fourth Decade....................................................................................................95
Mother’s Perspective............................................................................................... 97
Soccer A Way Forward.............................................................................................103
Merger with A za d ...................................................................................................... 105
Financial Statements................................................................................................. 109
Administrators........................................................................................................... 112
The brochure commmittee apologises if we inadvertently omitted or understated any individual’s contribution to the club in the past 50 years. Putting this brochure together has been a difficult task, however we derived extreme pleasure documenting the rich history o f the club.
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We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude for the generous support given to us by the many selfless individuals in the celebration of our GOLDEN JUBILEE. W e are also indebted to our sponsors and advertisers who made this brochure possible.Please SUPPORT our SPONSORS and ADVERTISERS
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Ed it o r ia lH F TY - a GOLX>EN JUBILEE!! A tiny seed sown fifty years ago and nurtured with difficulty and dedication through the years, has finally reached fruition. Thanks to our pioneers, who under extremely adverse conditions imaginable, managed to keep the club afloat and therefore deserve a pat on the back for a job well done.
For a non-racial sports club to have survived 45 years o f apartheid i.e. racist, oppressive and an exploitative system and five years of forced unification is a tremendous victory. Many older and stronger non-racial (black) clubs have succumbed to these forces.
Swaraj Sporting Club originated in Jeppe in 1939. It was formed by members of our community who came from India. During the Second World War the club was dormant and then in 1945 the club was revived agciin through sheer dedication and perseverance by people like Jerambhai Vallabh Bhagoon, Jerambhai Vallabh, Dayalbhai Ukabhai, Chaganbhai Bhana, Ramjeebhai Lakha and Naranbhai Ranchod Manga.
The Fifties witnessed the birth of Jeppe Eagles F.C. which comprised of the second generation of our community, who were bom in Jeppestown.
Jeppe Eagles F.C. and Swaraj Sporting Club could only play social soccer as there were only limited facilities for blacks to paly organised sports at that time.
In 1960, Jeppe Eagles F.C. with a larger and more active membership merged with Swaraj Sporting Club and retained the name Swaraj Sporting Club. It was during this period that the club finally obtained membership to the Witwatersrand Football Association to play organised soccer.
The first period of real glory came when the so-called “super club” o f the 1962-1964, annexed all the trophies in the Wits Association. The team was captained by Walter Muller.
The white onslaught to destroy our sports intensified, and in 1966 the Natalspruit Sports Grounds, our only playing facility was taken away. The Group Areas Act further forced the community to relocate to Lenasia during this period. This broke up the club and killed it’s spirit.
However, in 1971/72 the members regrouped and started playing in Lenasia. During the 1973-1975 period, the first team once again brought glory and honour by winning all the trophies played for. The side was captained by Dr.Thakor Parbhoo.
During the period 1975 to 1980, the club experienced problems with the local association and witnessed some o f the better players leaving the club. Mahesh Ukabhai and Thiraj B how an as w e ll as H arish B how an , Chandrakant Parshotam, Jaikishan Daya and Pramod Bhana were responsible for resuscitating the club and once again junior soccer was established. Presently we are proud to announce that w e arc running ten junior sides in the Lenasia Soccer Association.
W e are also proud to state that from the inception of the club up unto the present day, the promotion of juniors has always been our priority. Organised junior soccer was played at Natalspruit and now in Lenasia. It is this fervour which encourages our juniors on the playing field and brings honour to the club.
The level o f administration in the club has been of the highest calibre throughout it’s history. Initial minutes and financial records that were kept in Gujerati are presently in our possession and arc well preserved.
Mohan Ranchod, Dayal Vallabh Bhagoon, Vinayak Bhana and Nagin Ranchod also served on the Witwatersrand Football Association. Mohan Ranchod was also a Transvaal delegate to the national meetings.
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W e celebrate our Golden Jubilee at a time when our community is going through major changes and transformation.
In April 1994 the countries first free and democratic elections were held and the victory went to the A N C with Mr. Nelson Mandela being the first black President of South Africa. Unfortunately, this major political event has betrayed the disadvantaged sports people by allowing the white sports people total dominance in the unification process and a return to international sports.
A fter the Golden Jubilee celebration, the club will merge with Azad Cricket Club to
enhance it’s resources and potential in promoting serious and effective sports. With this process, the wheel will have turned a full circle as Swaraj Sporting Club and Azad Cricket Club both originated in Jeppestown fifty years ago.
The development of the sportsfield in Extension 3, Lenasia, is an ambitious project but a necessary one. In the light o f the present political and economic situation in the country, we will have to provide for ourselves and what better way than to develop a community-based sports facility where families can participate.
Let us celebrate fifty years o f hardship and victory and march forward together to meet the challenge of the next fifty years.
Swaraj Football Club - 1945
Back Row Standing - (L to R) Vallabh Chhiba (Auditor), Gandabhai Uka, Soma Govind, Mag ln Dayal, Parbhoo Kanjcc Middle Row Standing - (L to R ) Mohanlal Govindjee, Amrit Kanjcc, Keshav Bhika (Treaisurer), Chhiba Bhana, Reimjee Lakha, Chhagan ^arra (Secretary)Middle Row Sitting - (L to R) Ranchodbhai Manga (Patron), Magan Kanjcc, VeJlabh Ranchod, jerambhai V. Patel (Captain), Deihya Gosai (Vice Cheiiman), Naran Ranchod (Vice-Secretary), Nathoobhai Harjivan (Patron)Kneeling - (L to R) Manga Reima, Prema Parshot<un, Dayal Uka (Chaiimein)Manager - Lalabheu Vallabhbhai Insert - Jerambhai Vetllabhbhai Patel
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Wishing Swaraj Sporting all the success for the coming half century
CHAIRMAN'S MESSAGEIt is indeed a great honour to be chairman of Swaraj Sporting Club during this momentous occasion, the Golden Jubilee. This club has a proud heritage and we should derive inspiration from it and be indebted to those who have set such high standards to adhere to.
“A journey of a thousand miles, begins with a single step. ” This is the single step that started 50 years ago by the clubs great visionary administrators arxi members.
It is at this stage that tribute has to be paid to our past administrators for their sacrifice, dedication and commitment in the formation of the club. Their overwhelming spirit of comradeship was against various adversities and the clubs success bears testimony to that.
Sport should be used as a vehicle toward developing a better understanding of one’s immediate community. We have to rely on our own work and have a duty to perform towards our children.
We would like to live by our recently adopted motto: “Let’s Give Our Children a Better Future.”
To celebrate our fifty years of existence and
Mahesh Ukabhaiachievements, we have hosted various events and a tournament. To have survived for fifty years as a club is credit to the administrators who have guided the club.
The most disturbing fact is concerning the future of the club. Younger players and members are not coming forward to fill the administrative pxDSts. This threatens the future of the club as a vacuum may be created when the older administrators vacate their posts.
Soon after the final function, we hop>e to merge with Azad Cricket Club, and the priority of the new club will be to concentrate on the development of our newly acquired sports field in Extension 3. This will alleviate the duplication of membership and also strengthen the administration.
I can say without hesitation that I am richer in experience by having served as chairman of Swaraj Sporting Club. Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank my fellow administrators who have dedicated much of their valuable time and exp>erience in making this club run so successfully and efficiently.
M essage o f s u p p o r t
On behalf of the Azad Cricket Club, I would like to take this opportunity of extending to Swaraj Sporting Club our very best wishes on this very significant event of your 50th anniversary.
An achievement of this stature has great significance for many reasons. Most importantly, it symbolises the triumph of a true ideal over the many challenges it faces.
We certainly don’t have to look too far back into the history of our country to see the tremendous onslaught against the ideals we all hold so dear. In times when the disbanding of Clubs was more the norm than the exception, it is indeed an outstanding achievement for Swaraj to have reached their milestone.
It is the greatest tribute a Club can ever pay to
Azad Cricket Clubits founders and it certainly displays the unfailing spirit of the Club’s administration and membership.
The next year will herald the merger between our clubs, an event that we are all anxiously looking forward to.
With the combination of the many talents present within the clubs, both on and off the field, we are certain that the new club will flourish and prosper.
Fland in hand we shall strive to uphold the very principles and ideals that have steered us to this milestone in our histories. We look forward to another great fifty years together.
Once again we wish you all the best on your Golden Jubilee. Manesh Naran
Secretary
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Repo r t back
IT gives me great pleasure in presenting the Secretarial report for the 1995 season, which being our 50th Anniversary year of historic significance to us.♦ CondolencesOur sincere condolences to those members
who suffered any bereavement during the year.♦ Junior Teams’ ProgressThis was a disappointing year for all our teams. Although our stronger teams held their own in the league competition, our weaker teams suffered humiliating defeats, which probably contributed to poor attendance for games and for training.
The morale of these players seems to be very low and a great deal of motivation and hard work will be required if we wish to achieve better results.
Our club decided to withdraw from the Coke knockout competition in protest against the unsporting behaviour of an LSA official, who although acting in his personal capacity, was none-the-less an official of the association and should have acted with responsibility and restraint.
This was indeed a blow for our U 15s who were in the finals and for our U7s who were in the losers finals. We hope that someday these players will understand the reason for our decision, which we believe was the correct one under the circumstances.♦ Attendance at MeetingsThis was a hectic year as the planning and execution of the various activities for the 50th year celebration had to be co-ordinated at our Council and sub-committee meetings. Our average attendance for the nine Council meetings during the year was 15, which compares with last year. Attendance at sub-committee meetings was not monitored but was generally good.^ Coaching ClinicOur annual coaching clinic during the mid-year school holidays has proved to be very popular and successful. Our sincere thanks to all who
Secretarial Report 1995 Season
contributed to it’s success.♦ 50th Anniversary EventsOur fundraising show featuring the Jhankaar School of Dance and our junior soccer tournament were highly successful.
A tremendous amount of effort went into these projects and they were well publicized in the local press and radio. The preparation of the brochure was another mammoth task. We hope that it will become a collector’s item, together with the other promotional items that are planned.
Our thanks to all concerned for their input and support.^ AdministrationOur administrators continued with their efforts under the additional pressure of the 50th Anniversary celebration functions.
Our decision to merge with Azad Cricket Club has prompted the drafting of a new constitution, which, we hope, will be finalized early in the new year.The preparation of a list of life members and the subsequent approval thereof at a special general meeting was also accomplished.^ Sponsors and Donors Our sincere thanks to all our sponsors and donors. Their interest in our Club is greatly appreciate. We cJso note our thanks to the club members for their contributions, as well as for the use of their homes for our meetings and for the refreshments provided. We also thank the Principals of those schools that allowed the use of their facilities to us.♦ Presentation FunctionWe hope that this will be a memorable function. Preparations are under way and progressing according to plan.♦ ConclusionIt is only through unity, dedication and hard work that we will be able to survive and grow. We hope to be around for the next 50 years!
I take this opportunity to thank my fellow officials and members for their guidance and assistance for the past season.
PATRONS' MESSAGED r Rasik Copal
ON this momentous occasion, it is a special privilege for me to be a patron of Swaraj Sporting Club.
I salute the founder members who had the initiative and courage to ignite the flame of Swaraj Sporting Club, all the past active members who had courage and determination to keep the flame burning under the extremely oppressive apartheid regime and the present active members who are carrying the flame
forward in a chaotic and uncertain future.Through time the club has taught its
members loyalty, justice, sacrifice and dedication. These values govern our lives and contributes to the long survival of the clubs and the community.
May the club continue its magnificent work, providing a home for all those sports- persons who still believe in a truly non-racial society.
PJ Bhana“SUCCESS breeds success” - how true the appropriate for the occasion.
The founding fathers of Swaraj Sporting Club must be complemented.
The vibrant and energetic youth of Jeppe had founded the Jeppe Eagles Football Club, and played mainly as a touring team. For some players at Jeppe Eagles it was a bitter pill to swallow to merge with Swaraj Sporting Club. After all who would like to forgo his name. The merger of the Jeppe Eagles Football Club and Swaraj Sporting Club is the very reason for us celebrating this 50th Golden Anniversary.
Today in the emerging new non-racial, nonsexist, democratic South Africa the youth of this club will have much to account for. They have a
proud history and legacy to continue and a high standard to maintain.
The phrase “lets give our children a better future” is most appropriate. As your patron and serving member it is indeed an honour and privilege for me to have served this illustrious club.
After the celebration we once again bring two giant clubs to merge, namely Azad Cricket Club and Swaraj Sporting Club. May the sporting spirit and the illuminating torch together with the soaring free bird continue to reach new heights “forever.”
It is a lofty dream but now a reality that some day someone from this club will represent the national squad in the different codes of sport. That is my dream that will be fulfilled.
D r Natvar BhowanIT is with great pleasure and admiration that I extend my very best wishes and congratulations to Swaraj Sporting Club on attaining it’s 50th anniversary. I am indeed proud to have been a member of a club, so rich in history and tradition.
I can only hope that the dedication towards our children continues for many more years to come.
Although there are many hurdles to climb,I feel encouraged to see the calibre of membership of Swaraj Sporting Club.
The env/isaged merger with Azad cricket
Club is indeed a step int he right direction.It will alleviate duplication and will further
strengthen the pool of dedicated membership.The emphasis on development can then
only be a stepping stone to greater success for the new club.
The plan for a community-based sporting facility is a dream at this stage, but with hard work, I am sure that this can become a reality.
May our recently adopted motto; “Let’s give our children a better future” he a motivating factor, and may we fulfil this dream to the ultimate.
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FocusThe First and Second Decades
SW ARAJ Sporting Club was initially launched in Jeppe in 1939 by Mr Jerambhai Vallabh and a few enthusiasts. However, due to the World War, the club lay dormant until 1945. Then in 1945, the club officially came into being. A number of the original members felt strongly about formalising the structure with a constitution, and Swaraj Sporting Club was bom.
It is amazing to note that detailed minutes Were kept o f meetings which were held regularly. Another striking and impressive feature is the fact that these minutes were written in Gujerati and presently we are in possession of these priceless and historical documents.
Amongst some of the founder members O f Swaraj Sporting Club were the following. Dayal Ukabhau, Jeram Vallabh Patel, Jeram Vallabh, Chagan Bhana, KeshavBhika, Prema Parshotam, Dayal Budhi, Naran Ranchod, Ramjee Lakha, Gandhia Dayal, Amrit Kanjee, Ramjee Vithal, Soma Govind and Dayal Sukha.
During the first decade, the club played only friendly games against teams from Pretoria, Krugersdorp, Vereening, Nigel, Benoni and Springs. There were also two local teams. Probath and Zenith, against whom matches were played.
The local games were played in parking lot where special arrangements had to be made with the parking attendant, so that these matches could be played.
Although some teams were registered with the Witwatersrand Football Association, and matches w ere being played at the Natalspruit Grounds, Swaraj Sporting Club Was unable to register with the association as there were only two grounds available for playing and therefore the number of teams had
to be limited.Swaraj Sporting Club resorted to playing
friendly games until such time that they were able to secure registration with the association.
Travelling, and playing friendly matches had it’s problems, transport being the major one. However, through sheer perseverance, some of the members were able to arrange for the hire of a truck from the military for transport to the away matches.
Another form of transport often used was the train service. Sometimes two trains had to be used to get to a particular venue. But, the players and members were motivated enough to continue playing and to keep the club alive, even under these adverse conditions.
On a lighter side of the early days, was surely the annual picnic the club arranged at the old and famous Mia’s Farm. Once a year, the members enjoyed themselves as a club.
As the second decade approached, younger players began to affiliate to Swaraj Sporting Club. Again, members were mainly from the Jeppe region. However, the club had now registered with the Witwatersrand Football Association and regular matches were being played at the Natalspruit grounds.
Soon, a formidable first team was assembled. Just as the second decade was coming to an end, the first team annexed all the trophies competed for.
Also, junior teams were started at this stage, and the under 14 team won the league championship. For these achievements, the club arranged a celebration in the form of a tea party. The second decade thus came to an end with pomp and ceremony.
D r P radeep J Gopal Dr N atvar B how an
The future of the club remains uncertain, the present is certainly turbulent but our past is our pride and definitely worth talking about
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CoiNqRATulAliONS TO SwARAj SpORlilNq Club
O N T b E iR 5 0 t I i A n n i v e r s a r y
May you see tIie qloRY o f A N O T b E R 5 0 S p O R l i N q years.
Laxmihen Jairam Vallabh and Family
Collection Number: AG3403 Collection Name: Non-racial Sports History Project, Transvaal
PUBLISHER: Publisher: Historical Papers Research Archive, University of the Witwatersrand Location: Johannesburg ©2016
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