Learning and Growing at National Indigenous Games

Players representing the Western Cape at the National Indigenous Games Festival are enjoying the competition despite some disappointing results. The games, hosted by Sport and Recreation South Africa, run from 20 to 24 September 2013 in Tshwane.

The Western Cape is currently in seventh place overall. The provincial teams for jukskei (seventh place), morabaraba (fifth place), diketo (ninth place), drie stokkies (sixth place), kgati (seventh place), ncuva (seventh place), intonga (fourth place) and kho-kho (seventh place) will be hoping to strengthen their positions as the Games reach the final stages.

Mr Inwaan Malgas, 2012 Western Cape Indigenous Player of the Year and captain of the jukskei team says his players remain excited to be taking part in the Games. “We have many junior players who made their debuts at the national event. This is a learning experience for them, and I’m confident that they will all become better players”, said Malgas.

Ncuva team manager Ms Veronica Bavuma said many of her team players were nervous at the beginning. “This resulted in a few errors, but as they continued, they improved and gained confidence. We’ve played some tough opposition, and are hoping to win our next games and cement a stronger position on the log. We just need to push ourselves”, said Bavuma.

Mr Jerome Arendse, Western Cape Indigenous Games Chef de Mission, added that “players bonded well and encouraged and supported one another on the field. They have grown as a unit, and the team spirit was excellent”. He thanked the members of Team Western Cape for their professionalism on and off the field.

It’s clear that players take pride in these games, which form an important part of our national cultural heritage. Support for Team Western Cape will be of utmost important as players will be eager to do well and, hopefully, to return with medals.