West Randers flock to Mogale for Indigenous Games
Participants of all ages came from all over the West Rand to compete in the regional indigenous games.
Participants of all ages from across the West Rand came to compete in the Regional Indigenous Games held at the Munsieville Sport Complex in Mogale City recently.
From this event, a West Rand Team has been selected to compete at the Provincial Indigenous Games during July, and hopefully stand a chance to be selected for Team Gauteng. The event was made possible by the Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation in partnership with the Mogale City Municipality and Indigenous Games Federations.
Regions and areas represented were: Ga Mogale (Magalies), Westonaria, Khutsong, Fochville, Mohlakeng, Simunye, Toekomsrus, Randfontein, Tarlton, Hekpoort, Muldersdrift, Munsieville, Kagiso, Swanieville and Krugersdorp.
Indigenous games are African games that come from the pre- and post-colonial times of South African history. The term ‘indigenous games’ covers a host of codes, such as morabaraba, njuva, jukskei, diketo, kgati, intonga, drie-stokkies, dibeke and khokho.
The event is also said to be part of the Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation’s mandate to promote indigenous games, encourage people to participate, and for them to also enjoy the same status and nature or level of competitiveness as professional sports.
Emmanuel Mahesu, Assistant Director of the Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, opened the ceremony and welcomed everyone in attendance. He emphasised the pride that goes hand-in-hand with indigenous games.
“What makes me proud is the fact the anyone, any age, any gender can participate together in the category ‘Indigenous Games’. The elders can compete against a young person and vice versa.”
A local councillor thanked all the participants and encouraged the youth to do better for their future, help each other and learn from one another.
“I advise all the youth to refrain from and resist the temptation of engaging in drugs, and to also take an example from Tiny Makgelebisa, who won the nationals in morabaraba and went oversea to compete in China. Not only did she represent South Africa, she also represented Mogale City and the young aspiring person, who never thought it could be possible to go overseas as a result of participating in games as mundane as these, games that are viewed as not really competitive, games that are looked down upon. They can now be where you can excel, and achieve the same level of respect as professionals in popular competitive sports.”
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at randfonteinherald@caxton.co.za (please remember to include your contact details in the email) or phone us on 011 693 3671.
For free daily local news on the West Rand, also visit our sister newspaper websites
Remember to visit our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages to let your voice be heard!
