Western Cape to Host National Indigenous Games

The Western Cape government will be hosting the 2nd National Indigenous Games Festival at the De Jager Stadium in Oudtshoorn from 2-3 September 2005. Approximately 800 participants representing all nine provinces will compete vigorously during the two-day programme in an attempt to bring pride to their provinces. At stake is the floating trophy for the winning province, best-organised team, runners up and individual medals.

A strong Western Cape Team was selected at the provincial trials two weeks ago in Paarl. Western Cape MEC for Cultural Affairs, Sport and Recreation, Whitey Jacobs expressed confidence at the ability of the team to represent the province well at the festival. He says having witnessed the abundance of skills at our disposal during the trials, I have every confidence in the team to compete and bring home silverware. I also want to wish them good luck.

The games to be displayed in a competitive spirit are Tik-tok, Kho-kho, Jukskei, Mraba-raba. Ncuva, iintonga, Dibeke, Deketo, Kgati.

MEC Whitey Jacobs is also delighted for the honour bestowed on the department on behalf of the provincial government to host these indigenous activities. He says it is a great honour to be afforded this platform as government and province faced with real challenges of unity, to effectively utilise the indigenous activities even beyond this event as vehicle to bridge the cultural divide and begin a process of healing our wounded nation.

The activities will be interspersed with a cultural programme, which will include Xhosa, Nama and Khoisan traditional dances, praise-singing, exhibition of cultural practices or dances from each province as well as a demonstration of stick-fighting. The opening ceremony on 2 September 2005 will consist of speeches from the National Minister of Sport, the Premier of the Western Cape and MEC for Cultural Affairs and Sport.

All media is invited to attend as follows and programme will be e-mailed on request.

Dates: 2-3 September 2005 (activities start at 9h00- 17h00)
Venue: De Jager Stadium, Main Rd, Oudtshoorn
Time: 18h00 (2nd September- Opening Ceremony) De Jager Stadium

For further enquiries please contact:
Mandla Yeki at: 082 5533477

Issued by:
Mandla Yeki
Spokesperson for MEC: Cultural Affairs and Sport
Tel: 021 483 9804
Fax: 021 483 9801

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