Once again Doctor Mbatha from Utrecht in the Amajuba District, who was riding Nxakanxaka walked away with R250 000 after winning this year’s Dundee July.
MEC of Sports Arts and Culture, Hlengiwe Mavimbela said excitedly explained that she had been long waiting this day after the short break forced by the Covid 19 lockdown. “Congratulations to all the winners especially Doctor Mbatha who won today’s main race and I am excited to announce that Mr Nala of Amathole Group promised to add on next year’s stake and raise it to R300 000 for the main race,” said Mavimbela. She added that the department’s focus is not only on horse racing but on fashion and entertainment as well. “Our job as government is to create a conjunctive environment for our people so that they can change their lives for the better,” said Mavimbela. She concluded by saying this week-long preparation for the main event started with the beauty pageant, the street parade as well as workshops to help prepare those who had stalls for the big day.Mbatha was beside himself after he realised that he had won this year’s main race. In 2018 and 2019 Nxakanxaka also won the race for two consecutive years, he lost the race to Troublemaker owned by December Nkosi last year.
“My only opponent this year was Troublemaker, but Nxakanxaka and I recently won the King Cetshwayo horse race, which proved that we were indeed ready for the Dundee July. Asked about how he trains with Nxakanxaka, Doctor explained that they had been training and preparing for this race for the past two weeks.
Mbatha has been horse riding from the tender age of 6 and has been Nxakanxaka’s jockey for the past five years. For the past 22 years in the horse riding industry, Mbatha confirmed that his determination and passion have got him this far.
His message to the young jockeys is that they need to be patient and understand that horses are animals that need to be constantly trained for the better.
Anotha Buthelezi (12) won the Ladies Race Under 12 and walked away with R12 000. ” I was riding Izinkulumo and I have been horse riding at the Dundee July since I was nine years old,” explained Anotha. With her winnings, she said she will use the money for her school necessities.
This year’s Dundee July attracts tourists from all four corners of the world, and has greatly stabilized the economy of Mzinyathi as it is estimated that over R30 million was invested by tourists during the weekend alone,” explained Umzinyathi Mayor Petros Ngubane.
He also congratulated all the fashion designers who walked away with R5000 each in different categories as well as all the jockeys who won on the day.
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