Picture this: a young boy, Sam Tsima, kicking up dust in the streets of Moripane Village while tending to his grandfather’s livestock. Little did he know that his love for football would later evolve into a multi-faceted development organisation that would touch many lives. Cometsa’s story is a journey of passion, dedication, and a dream that started with football and turned into a diverse development powerhouse, embracing sports, culture, and business. Buckle up as we dive into the epic journey of Cometsa, driven by Sam’s “RELEASE” concept.

Humble Beginnings: 1963 – 1980

Our journey begins on 6th March 1963, when Sam Tsima was born in the small village of Moripane, near Jane Furse in the Limpopo Province. Growing up, Sam balanced his early schooling with playing football and looking after his grandparents’ goats and sheep—talk about multi-tasking! By 1976, Sam was part of the local amateur football team, Kaizer Chiefs of Moripane Village (no, not that Kaizer Chiefs). But as all ambitious players do, Sam wanted more, so in 1977, he started his own team, Mosehleng Shining Stars F.C.. The boy was on a mission, people!

By 1980, Sam was playing for the senior team, Moripane Lekatika F.C., which he later helped rename to Moripane Scientists F.C.—a move symbolising the emergence of new ideas and a new generation.

From Village Boy to University Footballer: 1982 – 1985

Fast forward to the early ‘80s, Sam’s football career didn’t end in Moripane. While studying at Boaparankwe College, he played for the college team. His passion followed him all the way to Wits University, where he joined the Wits University F.C.. Even as he juggled his academic studies, Sam couldn’t resist the lure of the beautiful game.

The German Adventure: 1988 – 1992

Then came a plot twist. In 1988, Sam was off to Germany for business management training (fancy, right?). His love for football led him to play for SC Goldstein Frankfurt. Imagine, a young man from Moripane Village kicking it with Germans! And not just playing, but Sam’s time with SC Goldstein Frankfurt would inspire the formation of 1.FC Cometsa Goldstones 1997. Yes, he brought a little piece of Germany back to South Africa.

The Birth of Cometsa: 1997 – 2000

The big moment came in 1997, when Sam, together with his other colleagues, formed 1.FC Cometsa Goldstones 1997. It was more than just a football team—it was a vision. Sam formalised the club and ensured its members signed up with a sense of belonging. The team’s first match, on 1st August 1997, against the Gauteng Department of Education, ended in a 1-1 draw. But the real victory? A braai that followed! And so, a tradition was born—every 1st of August, there must be a braai. Cometsa sure knows how to combine sports and good food!

By 2000, Cometsa had evolved into something more than just football. It became a vehicle for education and empowerment, with programmes like Project 2002, which aimed to develop sports coaching, management, and leadership. This wasn’t just about kicking a ball—it was about building skills for life.

Cometsa Takes on the World: 2001 – 2008

The 2000s saw Cometsa expanding beyond football into a multi-development organisation, incorporating language courses (German and Italian), vocational training, and even music with the formation of Cometsa Mafrika Band. Partnerships with organisations like the Goethe Institut and the Southern African-German Chamber of Commerce allowed Cometsa to offer opportunities for learning and cultural exchange.

By 2007, Cometsa was celebrating its 10th anniversary and Sam’s vision was stronger than ever. It had gone from a village football team to a dynamic organisation, impacting the lives of many in sports, education, and beyond.

The “RELEASE” Concept: Shaping the Future

At the heart of Cometsa’s evolution is Sam’s “RELEASE” concept, which stands for Recreation, Entertainment (including Music), Leisure, Education, Art (including Culture), Sport, and Environment (including Community).

It’s all about empowering people holistically, combining sport with personal and professional development.

Cometsa’s journey is far from over. From the dusty streets of Moripane to the professional fields of Johannesburg and beyond, it continues to develop young people, promote cultural exchange, and drive community development. And yes, they’re still keeping that 1st August braai tradition alive!

So, if you’re wondering how one man’s dream of a football team grew into an organisation with a purpose much larger than sport, look no further than Cometsa. It’s more than just a team; it’s a way of life, driven by a passion for development, a love for the game, and of course, the smell of a good braai.

Join the Cometsa journey, because here, we don’t just play football, we kick-start dreams!