Oh Brotherly Love!
Posted on 13/09/2009
During the Homeless World Cup in Milan we had the pleasure to have brothers Zandile and Shaka Zulu represent Sweden in Milan. Both in their twenties, the brothers are half South African and say they had a great childhood in Sweden. Not only brothers but also best friends, Zandile and Zulu shared the passion for football and had many friends in common. During highschool the brothers started smoking marijuana after school. "It was just for fun, to relax. But it quickly became a habit, a bad one", they claim.
Zandile, 22, regrets that period of his life because they lost valuable time of his teenage years. The relationship with their parents was on the rocks because they were only wasting time and smoking. But what they regret the most was not having an education. "To us it was normal to hang out with friends and smoke weed all the time. Seven years after you take a look back and notice you are stading at the same place. Time goes by really fast and it's sad because you miss many things".
"The Homeless World Cup is a great experience because it takes people out of their hood, their reality, out of from that the think it's normal. They put all the people together and change their life through football. Overall, It's an event full of positive vibes and has had a very positive impact in my life and future", said Shaka.
The relationship between the brothers has becomed stronger after the trip. They've been together during the bad times and they are grateful to be able to experience this together. In Milan, they were really good friends with the South African team and they hope to go visit them very soon. They both look forward to go back to school in Sweden and finish highschool.
Cynthia Guzman Tamares
Photo credit © Matteo Mangiarotti/FOTO UP AGENCY
