Peace In The Community

Patrick Matenga, South Africa

United Family, known as UniFam, is a non-profit organisation based in Cape Town, South Africa, working to improve the living of refugee families in the Western Cape. Patrick Matenga is the Director of UniFam.

My name is Patrick Matenga, I am a Congolese refugee who lives in Cape Town, South Africa. I fled my country because of the war in 1996. I played soccer but it was not at a professional level. I played with other kids and at school level.

I started playing football when I was young, back in DRC before I came to South Africa. In South Africa sport is very important because it is considered a tool to bring people together, but to have equipment and a place to train is a challenge.

What did you try to show with the photos? Was there any wider meaning with the photos?

The people in the photos are a mix of refugees and local South Africans playing football. I showed lots of players in action, including our young goalkeepers. The photos were taken at a soccer field in Imizamo Yethu, an informal settlement in Hout Bay in Western Cape, South Africa.

I tried to show how we play together to promote peace and social cohesion in the community and prevent xenophobia. When we play together, the community understands the plights of other people coming from other countries.

What role does football and UniFam play in your life? What ambitions do you have for the future?

Football and UniFam plays a big role in my life. It makes me realize that people can achieve a lot if they work together to achieve one goal.

My ambitions are to continue to play for peace and to achieve our objective to see people continue living together and make our community crime free.