Germiston Stadium hosted the Transnet Rural and Farm School Tournament, recently.
The tournament saw South Africa’s most skilled sporting stars come together for the 12th successful year of the three-day event.
South Africa’s young athletes competed for gold in athletics, chess, netball and soccer.
This event was attended by dignitaries, sport celebrities, leaders in the sports and education industry and Transnet executives, to support these up-and-coming sporting champions.
The prestigious opening ceremony was a huge success, with students, coaches and sports officials in attendance.
“This programme is about recognising and acknowledging achievements and celebrating success by all our sportsmen and women; we want to show all South Africans that we are praising the spirit of human triumph and not mediocrity,” said Transnet board chairman Mafika Mkwanazi at the launch.
The master of ceremonies for the event was Hulisani Rhavele, better known as ”Cece”, a former presenter of SABC 1’s popular Yo-TV show, Wildroom.
Other inspiring local and sporting celebrities attended the opening ceremony to support South Africa’s youth.
They included Itumeleng Khune and Jabu Pule.
According to Cece, the Transnet Foundation has given rural and farm school pupils a real opportunity to shine and show their skills, and this three-day tournament gives them the platform they need to show how much they have learnt.
Khune, captain of Bafana Bafana and Kaizer Chiefs, shared a personal and humbling experience, illustrating that with hard work and determination, anything is possible.
He said that, like many of the students who were sitting in the grandstands, when he was younger he would sit and watch the game, looking up to sports stars such as Jabu Pule and dream about becoming a great soccer player.
Now he is playing and captaining the national team and showing everyone involved that determination can make all your hopes a reality.
As many people realise, South Africa is rich in sporting talent but much of its potential is undiscovered and remains to be identified, nurtured and developed.
It is for that reason that Transnet has made an effort to turn this around, using the tournament as a starting ground for many youngsters.
The games culminated in an exciting prize-giving ceremony.
Every year, this sporting event begins with more than 22 000 pupils from across the country who put their talent and training to the test by competing in inter-house competitions.
After months of hard work and determination just 2 000 of these learners find themselves at the Transnet Rural and Farm Schools Tournament.
Over the three days, tournaments for netball, football, athletics and the recently introduced chess, for its benefits in cognitive development, have taken place.
These games were played by girls and boys between the ages of 13 and 19, all of which were coached by trained staff.
Audiences were on the edge of their seats as boys’ and girls’ teams from Eastern Cape, Northern Cape, North West, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal fought their way to the front lines and made a name for themselves and their players.
In the athletics category, Eastern Cape found themselves in the top spot, winning 22 gold medals, with KwaZulu-Natal just behind them, with 20 wins.
Star of the show was newcomer Sibusiso Khubheka, from the u-17 team.
In an amazing feat, Khubeka covered 1 500m in four minutes and 17 seconds, taking top position, almost breaking records in the process.
He also grabbed gold by winning the 3 000m.
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Overall winner of the chess championships was the Northern Cape, with two gold medals and a silver between their u-13, u-15 and u-17 teams.
Following them, in close second, was KwaZulu-Natal.
Northern Cape showed they are in top form when it comes to soccer, with two gold medals, ultimately winning the competition.
Mpumalanga finished in second place, with two silvers and a bronze.
“I am happy with the team’s performance and I strongly believe that the students gain a lot of good experience from taking part in the tournament; I, myself, have learnt a lot from other coaches,” said Mpumalanga’s u-15 girls’ coach, Hamilton Nkosi.
“Another important element is that scouts are here while the youngsters showcase their talents.”
Kwa-Zulu Natal showed they know what it takes to win by achieving best province overall, and winning the overall girls and overall soccer categories.
Mpumalanga and Northwest tied for the overall boy’s category.
Of all the soccer players from the six provinces that participated, Transnet formed a soccer team called the Transnet Foundation Eleven, comprising the best players from the tournament as a whole.
Great things can be expected from these youngsters in the near future.
Michael Moloto, Transnet Foundation’s senior sports manager, who is also the founder of the tournament, said the athletes produce impressive results every year.
“Each and every year we hold this competition and see greater and more inspiring results,” he added.
”There’s an amazing, positive spirit amongst students and coaches, and we can see they are motivated to win and do well.
“At Transnet, we are very happy and proud to help South African athletes in this incredible journey from grassroots to glory, and this year’s games just reinforces this sentiment.”
