IOM recently joined forces with the Southern African Women’s Institute for Migration Affairs (SAWIMA), Show Me Your Number and other civil society organizations to host the annual UBUNTU Calabash Soccer Derby on Saturday 2nd July 2011 at Johannesburg’s Rand stadium.

Aimed at relieving the tensions caused by xenophobia as well as to spread the spirit of UBUNTU among Africans living in Africa, the match saw Orlando Pirates FC (South Africa) and Harare Dynamos (Zimbabwe) battle it out for the Ubuntu Derby  trophy.  Dynamos took the lead on the 49th minute with the only goal of the match, securing a win.

The UBUNTU derby has become a permanent fixture in the annual calendar of communities in and around Johannesburg, attracting as many as 20 000 spectators, witnessed in last year’s derby between Highlanders F.C (Zimbabwe) and Jomo Cosmos F.C (South Africa).  This goes a long way in strengthening relations not only among the soccer teams competing, but also among the communities and fans they attract.