In January, Zach Leverenz '01began a year-long term as a South African Program Director for Playing for Peace, a non-profit organization that
uses basketball to bridge divides and develop future leaders. His position was funded by a donation from the NBA Champion San Antonio Spurs.
Stationed in Durban, Leverenz will work closely with a staff of local South Africans to break down barriers, train young adults to be mentors
and educate children about AIDS and other critical health issues. Five time NBA champion Steve Kerr, who has travelled to South Africa to observe the program in action, joined the Playing For Peace staff to open a new basketball court at Sizimisele Primary School in Molweni.
Leverenz's work with PFP will be featured in a story that will be shown on NBC's Today Show in mid-September. In addition, he is playing for Durban City in the Basketball South Africa (BSA) pro pre-season. He is averaging over 27 points per game and has led the team to the pre-season finals.
At Dickinson, he was an English major and a member of the men's basketball and baseball teams. He noted that "My experience at Dickinson definitely helped shape my interests in
international development and cultural exchanges."
From left: former NBA champion Steve Kerr, Daimler Chrysler sponsor Sam Cebekhulu, BSA player
Thabang Khumalo, Zach Leverenz, and former South African Olympic swimming champion Natalie Du Toit.
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