Pemmy upbeat about the Berlin November race
EASTERN Cape MEC for sport, recreation, arts and culture (DSRAC) Pemmy Majodina says her department is proud to be a partner of the Berlin November traditional horse racing event scheduled for November 28.
According to the flamboyant “D J Pemza”, the annual event taking place in Berlin suits DSRAC’s mandate perfectly as it features sport and has a recreational aspect involving arts and culture.
“We are proud to be funding this event and we are funding it without reservations because it is helpful in us discharging our mandate.”
However, warned Majodina, the organisers of the race and all other events that have received financial backing from DSRAC must be more radical in mobilising private partners because it was unsustainable to rely on government forever.
She said: “Under the current economic climate, the government cannot sustain this (funding of sport and recreation events) alone, hence we encourage the private sector to come on board.’’
DSRAC senior manager Bafundi Makhubalo added: “Our financial assistance is a starter pack but once these events begin to take off, they should go out there to lobby private sector partners.”
Majodina was looking forward to Berlin November, saying it was important to preserve the annual gathering as a traditional one.
In its current form, said Majodina, Berlin November was more accommodating to everyone than it would be had it been a modern handicap event.
She said of the 360 000 horses owned by ordinary civilians across the Eastern Cape, 240 will be taking part with an addition 20 coming from the likes of Free State, KwaZulu-Natal and Lesotho.
“We acknowledge the fact that since the 17th century, traditional horse racing has always been there.
“While it remains a traditional recreation programme, we are integrating arts and culture into it and building people-to-people relations through horses.
“Furthermore, through our involvement in Berlin November, we are bringing people together on issues of local economic development.”
On the day, local fashion designers and crafters will be exhibiting and showcasing their work to the thousands of spectators expected to attend.
Traditional food will also take centre stage, keeping up with the traditional theme.
“We are saying let Eastern Cape be unique in its own way of doing things,” said Majodina.
Prioritising safety issues to protect both horse riders and spectators was another element of Berlin November that needed special focus.
The event was also a platform to educate the youth about the cultural symbolism associated with horses.
“In African tradition, horses have several symbolic meanings. For instance people ride horses to go and report the passing of someone and lobola cattle are led by men riding horses.
“That is, among others, the traditional part of horses we want to preserve.”
Majodina concluded that Berlin November was in line with DSRAC’s mass participation gospel which preaches that young people not gifted in academics be encouraged to “unearth their potential and talent through sport, arts, culture and recreation activities”. — mawandem@dispatch.