Indigenous games kick of ahead of Heritage Day
Mpumalanga has 162 athletes competing in various sporting codes during the tournament being held in Pretoria until Wednesday.
MBOMBELA – The entire South Africa will celebrate their heritage next Wednesday, which means it is time for the annual National Indigenous Games Tournament.
This year Mpumalanga will send 162 athletes to compete in various sporting codes during the tournament to be held in the Tshwane Events Centre in Pretoria from today to Wednesday.
Norah Mahlangu-Mabena, MEC for culture, sport and recreation (DCSR) says indigenous games, played under the Siyadlala Mass Participation Programme – are aimed at promoting cultural activities that have a particular appeal to vast sectors of the South African society. She adds that it stretches beyond recreational purposes.
“They are more than just recreational as they play a pivotal role in promoting national unity and social cohesion. It also affords the participants and public alike a chance to observe and celebrate Heritage Month in an appropriate manner.”
DCSR spokesman, Sibongile Nkosi adds that there is no better way to observe and celebrate Heritage Month than to indulge in indigenous games. “We have a strong team that will challenge for the top position. Team Mpumalanga are the side to beat in khokho, kgathi, jukskei and morabaraba, having performed well in previous tournaments and they will be out to knock KwaZulu-Natal off their indigenous games perch,” Nkosi said.
The other games to be played are diketo (coordination game), dibeke (running game), incuva (board- game), intonga (stick fighting) and “drie stokkies”.
