Hlongwane, a star far from home but home is always in the heart!

Minnesota United star Bongokuhle Hlongwane had a deeply meaningful South African experience in the United States, as he joined in on the Freedom Celebrations held in Minneapolis. Here's a look!

The story

One of South Africa's most important days on the calendar is on the horizon, as on Saturday, 27 March, many citizens will celebrate Freedom Day. The date is a commemoration of the first democratic elections that took place in that day in 1994.

Hlongwane was born six years after that first post-apartheid election but the occasion remains a meaningful moment even for the born-frees, as it offers a chance to reflect how far Mzansi has come from it's devastating past. 

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The 23-year-old joined the non-profit organisation Africa Classroom Connection for a dinner, live music, dancing, and an auction. The event, however, took place last Friday and their mission is to provide resources to build schools and keep children in class in local communities in KwaZulu-Natal, a province Hlongwane calls home.

During the event, the Bafana Bafana winger was seen signing a shirt he donated, he joined in on the South African chants and singing, and was spotted performing the Indlamu, the traditional Zulu dance.  

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In football matters, Hlongwane has two goals in as many starts in Major League Soccer this term, while in his three other appearances he came off the bench. 

To date, the former Maritzburg United star had made 76 appearances for Minnesota since joining them in 2022, registering 21 goals and 10 assists in the process, as per Transfermarkt.

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