GAUTENG INDIGENOUS GAMES

THE Gauteng Provincial Indigenous Games took place on September 8 at the John Orr Technical School in Johannesburg. Schools that participated were the district winners in the codes of kgati, kho-kho and morabaraba and included the primary and secondary age groups. The purpose of these games was to celebrate Heritage Month through various initiatives, indigenous games being one of them. A further objective was to select a provincial team to participate at the National Indigenous Games. The event was characterised by spirited performances both on the fields and in the hall, where tension ran high in the morabaraba competition. The learners knew what was at stake, the opportunity to travel to Polokwane to compete against the best that the other provinces had to offer from September 23 to 28. This championship was co-hosted by the Gauteng Department of Education and the Gauteng Department of Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation. The programme for 2019 will see the possible inclusion of other indigenous games and therefore an increase in the number of participants. GDE provincial co-ordinators Glen Mohlomi and Marius Venter were pleased with the level of competition on the day and urged more schools to participate at a school and district level. “The indigenous games require minimal resources and can be played wherever space is available. It is thus a great way to get learners physically fit in a fun and exciting way. “All districts have indigenous games as part of their annual programme and schools are encouraged to contact their district offices for further information. “The platform for participation exists, so let us expose our young people to them. We want to congratulate the winners and wish them well as they proceed to the next level. Good luck, Team Gauteng,” said Mohlomi.

The winners at the provincial event were: Morabaraba

Khoza Cathrine (Tshwane North) Mahasha Naledi (Joburg Central) Sipho Sibanyonia (Tshwane North) Joel Mthembu (Gauteng East)

Kho-kho

Thuto-lefa Secondary School from Gauteng West, U18 boys team

Kgati

Thuto-lefa Secondary School from Joburg South

Jukskei

Hoërskool Garsfontein represents Gauteng in the U18 category.