Indigenous games to be held in Polokwane this month
The 10th annual Indigenous Games Festival will be coming to Polokwane from 20 to 24 September.
Vella Nyoni
LIMPOPO – The 10th annual Indigenous Games Festival will be coming to Polokwane from 20 to 24 September.
Minister of Sports and Recreation, Fikile Mbalula said it is a joint venture between the national Department of Sports and Recreation, Limpopo Department of Sport, Arts and Culture and the Department of Traditional Affairs. The aim of this festival is to revive the indigenous games and to celebrate African culture.
“I am happy that these games are coming to Limpopo. We will see Venda-, Tsonga-, Sepedi- and Xhosa-speaking people showcase their talent. We will play traditional games and I think we need to preserve them going into the future. That gives us the chance to revive our culture and remember who we are,” said Mbalula.
Some of the games to be played include Lintonga, Diketo, Dibeke and Morabaraba.
The games will take place at the following municipal buildings: the Cricket Club, the Jukskei Club and the wrestling building respectively.
A word from the Polokwane mayor
According to Thembi Nkadimeng, Mayor of Polokwane, the festival will be a colourful event and she encouraged people to dress in their traditional attire.
“It is going to be a 3 km walk carnival, there is no admission fee, but there is admission attire. If you are not dressed appropriately, I will not allow you to be part of the carnival,” she chuckled.
She added there will be other activities on the day, including artist performances, children’s entertainment, a beer garden and cultural exhibitions.
Heritage month
“This is Heritage Month, the indigenous games emphasise our commitment and our united national culture. Heritage should be accorded its rightful place.
“With these games, national identity and social cohesion should be brought to the fore,” said Nandi Ndalane, MEC for the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture.
“I think Limpopo will win more medals than ever this time. I have seen them practice and they are ready. To all other provinces, welcome to Limpopo,” she added.
