Bushbuckridge community rallies behind SPAR Proteas player
Residents in Thulamahashe gather to watch the South African netball team for the duration of the Netball World Cup.
Youngsters and netball enthusiasts have been gathering at the old Thulamahashe Sports Ground to show their support for the SPAR Proteas since Friday July 28.
The team was playing their preliminary stage one qualifying matches during the Netball World Cup (NWC).
A big screen was set up to watch the South African ladies play and to rally behind the local talented netballer playing for the SPAR Proteas’ centre position, Khanyisa Chawane.
On Saturday July 29, one of the organisers of the screening venue and the chairperson of Ancyl, Thulamahashe’s Ward 31, Caleb Makhubela, said the purpose of the initiative was to bring the community together, especially the youth to enjoy the first-ever Netball World Cup (NWC) to take place in South Africa.
“Not everyone can afford to travel to Cape Town to support their favourites. Most of us know Chawane as a community member of Thulamahashe. Some of these young people went to school with her and some were her neighbours, so it was only wise to create a platform for the community to see her do what she does best.”
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Makhubela said the political party took advantage of the initiative to create awareness against teenage drug and alcohol abuse.
“Sports on its own can afford one a successful career. For some to see the ladies play, will be a motivation to work hard in their extra-curricular activities such as sports. We also encouraged them to entertainment themselves in the safest and responsible way as possible.”
Makhubela said the weekend was a great success as boys and girls came out to watch the SPAR Proteas play impressively and even qualified for stage two of the preliminaries.
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“We will continue to host the screening for free only when the SPAR Proteas play and we hope they make it to the finals. I can assure that the local youngsters will be very proud and the rest of the country will be joyful,” Makubela said.
