WWE celebrates young leaders from Cape Town in new 'Heroes' initiative

WWE has chosen two inspirational young leaders working in Cape Town as the first-ever 'Heroes' for their new sport for social change initiative. Keke Lehana from training4changeS and Michaylah Petersen from Waves For Change were selected for their outstanding contributions to communities in South Africa, both as sports coaches and life mentors.

In the first year of the program, Beyond Sport are helping WWE to celebrate 'Heroes' in local communities in cities around the world, where they are holding their international tour in 2018. These 'Heroes' are young people who, through sport, have created positive social change in their communities.

For Keke Lehana, sport has always played an important role in supporting him through past trauma, and as a young adult he now uses his love of sport to give back to his community. The moment in his childhood when he was thrown out of a moving vehicle by his grandmother encapsulates the extreme difficulties Keke has faced throughout his life. The months spent in hospital recovering from that horrific incident show hisvstrength of will to overcome. The scars he still bears from the trauma remind him of how the adversity he has faced helped forge him into the role model he has become today.

The potential he demonstrates as a coach, and his passion for helping others, earned him an invitation to attend a FIFA Futsal Coaching Course in 2016 where he gained valuable knowledge that he is now sharing as a coach at the training4changeS Futsal Academy.

Keke is passionate about serving vulnerable children and youth; beyond his dedication to training4changeS, he gives his time to multiple youth soccer teams. He has a remarkable ability to connect with his players, and uses his role as a coach to mentor and support young people in sport, education, and the intricacies of life in South African townships. Keke is a real life hero to so many young people and a true inspiration that sport can help one rise above hardships to achieve your dreams.

See more of Keke's story here.

Michaylah was thrown out of her home by her parents at the age of 15 because of her sexuality. She spent the rest of her teens growing up in a care home for young girls, where she suffered from deep depression for many years.

Eventually, she began getting involved in a number of sport activities like athletics, which improved her mental wellbeing hugely. She was introduced to a surf project, Waves For Change, that uses the sport of surfing and skating as a therapy for young people who have experienced trauma. Michaylah soon became comfortable in her own identity, and empowered to help other young people who had experienced similar adversity.

She is now known throughout the community as the girl with the longboard, which she uses to travel everywhere. She is one of the most inspiring and enthusiastic coaches and is passionate about female empowerment so much so she has set up her own longboarding program - inspiring young girls to skateboard!

See more of Michaylah's story here.

Both Keke and Michaylah were presented with their 'Hero' award in Cape Town this week by WWE, and were also celebrated at their televised show on April 19 on a global stage. They will be shortlisted for Beyond Sport's Courageous Use of Sport Award, supported by WWE, and will have the chance to come to New York City for the Beyond Sport Global Awards in September this year!