Ronny Mintjens

Black and White United Ronny Mintjens

The single story of a European footballer who makes the journey into the heart of African sports, culture, customs and language. This autobiographical tale proves beyond reasonable doubt that respectful collaboration and cooperation will lead to shared success and enjoyment whilst also throwing up a couple of expected and unexpected challenges along the way. When black and white unite, magic is likely to happen. The content of this work has left a lasting legacy on particular areas of sporting life in East Africa. The stories are based on the personal experiences of the author who spent over fifteen years of his life on the African continent, who learned the local languages, who adapted in various ways to the local customs and lifestyle, and who managed to make a difference in the lives of many young people. This work also contains authentic newspaper reports that illustrate the protagonist's journey as he navigates the sometimes choppy waters of the cultures that we came to be a part of. If there ever was a story of a small boy dreaming big dreams and then becoming a big boy realizing his big dreams, this is it. Without the need to take the limelight at any point in his successful journey, the author illustrates that selfless engagement with foreign cultures, of any kind, can lead to great experiences and even greater friendships. This is therefore a refreshing look on what we can all achieve if only we see through the stereotypes, the barriers and 'what others say'.