To South Africa, where the game of basketball has been playing an important role in many rural areas. It keeps youngsters busy, off the streets and away from negative influences. Our correspondent Julie Scheier has the story of one basketball club that is self-funded and making a difference to the kids in their community.

Basketball has found a foothold in South Africa's rural areas and is reaching out to improve the lives of many children. But there are challenges.

SWENKIE MAMBA DAANTJIE SHOOTERS COACH "The thing that I am doing is to motivate them and saying it does not matter where you come from but you can be the best that you can be so motivation is what is keeping some of the kids here because I do not take kids who are smokers kids who are disrespectful in their household if anyone wants to play basketball you should be attending school there is no other way that you will make it through sport."

For Swenkie Mamba educating kids in morals and discipline while developing the sport has been a life-changing experience.

SWENKIE MAMBA DAANTJIE SHOOTERS COACH "Bringing basketball to the kids here it means a lot to me that makes me proud as a man to say you know what if ever I couldn't spend time with these kids and speak to them share with them their feelings he could not be their where he is, I am changing lives with basketball so I am a life changer that is all that I can say."

In a country where football rules - basketball is becoming increasingly popular in rural areas, and here in Mbombela young talent are encouraged to aim high.

"There are no leagues here but our coach tries to make tournaments he tries so much that we can keep playing basketball so that the talent won't be demolished."

JULIE SCHEIER MBOMBELA, SOUTH AFRICA "This Basketball development project is growing local talent in rural areas and keeping youngsters busy and away from negative influences. - JULIE SCHEIER, CGTN, MBOMBELA, SOUTH AFRICA."