Remembering women through sport

August 9, 1956 will always be etched in the minds of South Africans.

On this day approximately 20 000 women from all over the country took to the streets of Pretoria to stage a peaceful march to the Union Buildings.

This day is now a public holiday commemorating the 1956 protest by women against the legislation that required black South Africans to carry the ‘pass’ (special identification documents which infringed on their freedom of movement during the Apartheid era).

A song was composed in honour of this momentous occasion, “Wathint’ Abafazi Wathint’ imbokodo!” (Now you have touched the women, you have struck a rock).

In recognition of the role played by women who helped mould the new South Africa, Boundary and Eldos Spar, Sports and Recreation and Councillor Peter Rafferty organised a netball tournament which hwas held at the Don Mateman Centre.

The teams that participated in the tournament were representing the various local NGO’s where eight teams participated.

Through its involvement Spar would like to see a fully-fledged netball league being launched in Eldorado Park.

The Spar Group has been working very closely with Sports and Recreation and the councillor to start working on a proposal on how the league can be started, the number of teams that will be involved, the age groups and the facilities that would be used.

Spar recognises that netball has been a neglected sport in the community and would support the local league when it is established.

This is the second netball tournament Spar is sponsoring in the last three months.

The first was held during youth month.

“As part of our Social Investment Programme and working closely with our social partners, we have made it our priority focus on programmes that involve young ladies in our community.

“Our programmes are mostly focused physical activities; mainly sports orientated, where we feel that age is not a factor and it cannot be regarded as a disadvantage and everyone is able to participate.

“It is with this in mind that we bring the youth together in the spirit of fun and instil a sense of pride in our community,” Howard Frees from Spar said.