Boeresport is die beste sport

Afrikaans culture, and its unique outdoor games, is still very much alive in Johannesburg. Die Voortrekkers Unika hosted its Boeresport event at NG Kerk Lindenpark, Linden Ext, on 28 February. Children played games including jukskei, stoktrek, kruiwaresies (wheelbarrow race), three-legged race, sakresies (sack race), toutrek (tug of war) and vuurhoutjietrek.

The event coincided with a monthly market held at the church, called Linden Mark. “What Boeresport is about is making sure the youth, whether Afrikaans or English, know what Afrikaans culture is and what games they played,” said Die Voortrekkers Unika Kommando Leier (group leader) Tekkies Kotzé. “It is a community outreach to show we still love our culture.”

Although no medals or trophies were awarded on the day, winners for each round were congratulated and given sweets. Hendri van der Loo, one of the group’s leaders, was on hand to explain the history behind some of the sports. “The game [jukskei] was originally played by the real Voortrekkers with what they had,” he told children. “Then they started using wood. Now we use plastic.”

The object of jukskei is to throw a pin at a stick in the ground, with the intention to knock it out, or land your pin closer to the stick than anyone else. One of the market’s organisers, Annerie Kotzé, said that the objective of the market was to provide a service to residents. “We want people to be creative, for the community to make food and things for each other,” she said. Books about Afrikaans children’s games were also sold on the day.

Details: Die Voortrekkers Unika bemarking@unikavories.org.za