Comprised of whites, blacks, “coloreds” (the term used for those of mixed race in South Africa), Indians, and many more ethnicities, South Africa represents a true Rainbow Nation. Not even 20 years ago, the country suffered under apartheid – its diverse population rigorously fractured and repressed. But today, a single school can be home to blacks, whites, immigrants and people of any nation or color. Here, PeacePlayers International (PPI) is a microcosm of the new macro South African population at its most ideal – many ethnicities playing on one court, as one team, to accomplish one goal.

A team at one Durban school, one of PeacePlayers International’s best here due to some unbelievable coaching, is comprised of whites, coloreds, Indians and blacks from all over Africa, including the Congo. Even 15 years ago, this collaboration would have been unthinkable.

But PPI is allowing young people to break down the barriers and change the perceptions over which prior generations fought so hard. And the funny thing is, the kids might not even know the significance of their team, their actions and their acceptance of one another.

To them, they are just playing basketball. In addition to this changing of perceptions, PeacePlayers International “bridges divides” in a very literal way, too. Our players cross and create bridges between the divides of towns, cities, and provinces, rare among young people in South Africa, most of who rarely travel far beyond their own home.

Furthermore, our players “bridge divides” between what they learn on the basketball court and everyday life choices. A smart decision on the court, like waiting for the rest of your team on offense if the defense is already set, can be translated into a smart decision off the court, like trusting others to help you accomplish a task or project .

PPI also uses basketball to develop leaders. To stress improvement is to stress continual dedication and hard work, two qualities a leader must posses. I had one girl nearly explode with excitement when she finally succeeded in the correct footwork for a right-handed lay up. As I stood on the foul line watching her attempt, she proudly yelled, “Right. Left. Shoot.” going through the motions step-by-step, and, as geometry – or physics – promises, the ball fell through the hoop. She ran up to me, exclaiming, “Did you hear me? I yelled the steps and hopped in each circle with the right feet.”

I beamed; she could have been satisfied with only her made shot – as I probably would have been at age 10. Instead, she was excited to have conquered the process to make the correct shot. We help children take the extra step toward understanding why children do an action, a critical step in developing the leaders of tomorrow.

Everyday, I see examples of how basketball can bridge divides, develop leaders and change perceptions. The sport, however, reaches even one step further. While tension between races is still high here, arguably the country’s greatest challenge is not the legacy of  apartheid, but the rampant existence of HIV and AIDS. South Africa has the world’s highest population of HIV-positive people.

We use basketball to draw youth into the PeacePlayers family, to allow our trained coaches to teach about sensitive topics like child abuse and how to prevent HIV-infection. Our coaches  successfully relay important information to their players through the bonds of trust they forge on the court, and only through this tight coach-player bond are we able to teach about sensitive subjects, many considered taboo throughout the country. Our coaches are our lifeline.

I used to dream about the day when I could use basketball to teach children in South Africa. I talked constantly about how effective basketball could be to teach life skills. Throughout my time in South Africa, my belief in basketball and its ability to teach skills other than just v-cuts and jump stops has only strengthened. Every day, the sport is effectively used as a medium to teach universal lessons of acceptance, leadership,and change.

And all this happened by introducing a ball and a hoop to a child’s life.

Story by Claire Perry

Meet Claire Perry

Claire Perry joined PeacePlayers International as volunteer in South Africa in January 2010, Below, describes how she has seen PeacePlayers International’s mission – using basketball to bridge divides, develop leaders, and change perceptions – come to life.

More on PeacePlayers

To read more about PeacePlayers International, visit the organization’s daily blog at http://blog.peaceplayersintl.org/ Claire and the PeacePlayers team in South Africa contribute a new article every Tuesday.