DHL2014: Africa as One Campaign
The DHL “Africa As One” campaign for the build up to the 2015 Rugby World Cup continued through Zimbabwe yesterday when it held coaching clinics at St Georges College.
Rugby enthusiasts lined up to pass a single rugby ball from hand to hand as the campaign concluded its Zimbabwean tour yesterday. The curtain came down on the tour with rugby enthusiasts lining up and passing a single rugby ball from hand to hand. The rugby ball has already been in two other countries that include South Africa and Lesotho.
From here the team of seven people will make their next stop in Malawi before journeying to 41 other African countries in Land Rover SUVs, as part of efforts to spread awareness for the game in the build-up next year’s Rugby World Cup in England. Yesterday at least 120 youngsters drawn from various high density areas in Harare took part tag rugby whilst the day also offered free eye testing.
DHL southern Africa marketing and communications manager Khanyi Mamba was delighted at the response the initiative has received so far. “We started off in September in Cape Town we have gone to Lesotho, Swaziland so this is our third visit from here we head to Malawi. We are really hoping that we teach the children about rugby as our focus is to build up Rugby World Cup,” Mamba said.
“We have begun a very good partnership with Zimbabwe Rugby and we are hoping it build on from this campaign.” DHL country manager Jeff Phiri said the hosting of the fun day at St Georges College was entwined with the history of DHL and one of Harare’s oldest boys’ schools. “They couldn’t be a better venue to host this event. There has been a relationship between St Georges and DHL dates back to the tie when we established DHL in 1981 so that’s why it was a natural choice,” he said.
Zimbabwe Rugby Union general manager Sifiso Made said DHL’s support was a seal of approval to the administration of rugby in the country. “This all shows we are united with all the African countries and we want to grow in the game of rugby in Africa. It’s a great initiative for us. And going forward we hope to form more synergies with DHL.”