For the first time the opportunity is given to people who formerly might not have had access to live TV feeds of the Proteas’ games, to watch their favourite cricketers in action. The initiative will go far beyond cricket as it will aim to re-create the carnival community atmosphere that was prevalent throughout the successful FIFA World Cup in 2010; and it will also create employment opportunities in these areas.

The Proteas played their opening group match against the West Indies at Delhi on Thursday 24 February and it was the first match to be broadcasted live in 20 public viewing areas in townships around the country. This was done under the banner of Proteas’ TV. To maximize this cricketing opportunity, CSA will be hosting KFC Mini Cricket festivals at selected Township TV venues to coincide with the Proteas’ World Cup matches.

The first festival took place on Thursday 24 February at Orlando West. Check out the KFC Mini Cricket Festival Gallery for pictures of the event.

The festivals will be held as follows:

• 3^rd March: KFC Mini Cricket festival in George (South Africa versus Netherlands)

• 6^th March: KFC Mini Cricket festival in Motherwell (South Africa versus England)

• 12^th March: KFC Mini Cricket festival in Lenasia (South Africa versus India)

• 15^th March: KFC Mini Cricket festival in KwaMashu, KZN (South Africa versus Ireland)

• 19^th March: KFC Mini Cricket festival in Diepsloot (South Africa versus Bangladesh)

There are 20 Township TV viewing sites across the country: Elandsdoorn (Limpopo), Middelburg (Mpumalanga), Katlehong, KwaThema Park and Ethafeni, Tembisa (all Ekurhuleni), Mtubatuba (Richards Bay), White River (Nelspruit), KwaMashu (Durban, KZN),  Mandela Park (Motherwell, Port Elizabeth), Rosemore Stadium (George), Uitenhage (Eastern Cape); plus the following Gauteng venues: Diepsloot Park, Ivory Park, Joubert Park, Orange Farm, Thokoza Park (Soweto), Orlando West (Soweto), Lenasia and Eldorado Park.

CSA CEO Gerald Majola commented: “CSA’s vision is to make cricket a truly national sport of winners, and Proteas’ TV allows us to make the national team more accessible to all South Africans. This is an exciting project for us and we hope fans in the townships will get behind our boys as they take on the world.”

Township TV co-founder Graeme Joffe commented: “Township TV aims to uplift communities within South Africa with free entertainment in a safe and secure environment, by installing big screens in strategic locations within township communities. We had over 640 000 people watch the 2010 FIFA World Cup in the parks and we are extremely grateful to Cricket South Africa for creating something memorable for the less fortunate in 2011.”