Minister Anroux Marais' speech at Capping Ceremony of Indigenous Games

WESTERN CAPE MINISTER OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS AND SPORT, ANROUX MARAIS

CAPPING CEREMONY OF TEAM WESTERN CAPE INDIGENOUS GAMES

21 SEPTEMBER 2018

Good evening, goeienaand, molweni nonke

It gives me great pleasure to award provincial colours to the team who will represent the Western Cape at the National Indigenous Games Festival later this month.

We are all so proud of all of you but I must also let you in on the important role you have been selected to fulfil.

Firstly, despite Africa’s rich history of indigenous games, a number of them have become extinct without having been documented in historical accounts of the indigenous people of Africa. Much of our histories are lost as older generations pass on. You have been selected as the best at indigenous games in the province and it is now your duty to keep the traditional games alive in your communities to ensure that future generations are aware of the games indigenous to the Western Cape. So you are tasked with reviving and popularising sport, recreation and cultural activities in the forms of the different games you excel in.

Secondly, like other sport and recreation codes, indigenous games contribute to social development, the African identity, promoting cultural diversity; education and training; international relations and most importantly social inclusion. You have now officially become the ambassadors in your communities to whom the youth will aspire because you position Indigenous games as alternate future mass participation games and will ensure their sustainability. Whether knowingly or unknowingly you have become the agents of change as your choices and selection into the provincial team places you in a position to tackle social ills through sport and recreation.

Lastly, have fun! Enjoy each other, embrace your team, remember your flights, have a memorable stay and remain mindful that you are representing yourselves, your families, your communities and your province and the Western Cape is indeed a leading province. I am saddened that I will not be able to personally celebrate this Heritage Day with you but know that I am your number one supporter, rooting for your victories back home. Go over there and show them exactly why and how we are the leading province by winning as a team and bringing the gold back home.

I thank you.