Tibuya Emasisweni 2013/2014 Issue No.2
Roaring Success Theatre Lions of eMbalenhle are in seventh heaven after winning a theatre and drama festival. The festival uses arts and culture to address issues of skills development. Read more onMpumalanga’s the group’s rise gotto the talent: top on Exhibit page 4. A
Musa “The Voice” Sukwene proves that Mpumalanga is fast becoming a major player in the South African entertainment industry by winning Season 9 of SA Idols. Read more on Page 6. Editorial 3
Mpumalanga DCSR is the best in SA 4
Mpumalanga aims to produce champions 5
Musa wins Idols crown, hearts 6
Gogo Qwelane still teaching at 92 8
Seven young writers identified in competition 9
Gathisa moves from Employee to Employer 12
Cricket Champs are developed in Malekutu 13
Holy Word now available in isiNdebele 15
President Machel remembered 16
Mpumalanga Athelete wins Bursary 17
Sibanyoni is an Intonga poster girl 19 e welcome our readers to the New Year with another edition of Tibuya WEmasisweni. 2014 promises to be an exciting year and we are indeed looking forward to continue serving our people with renewed vigour and dedication. As South Africans, we Mthobisi Nhlapho have reasons to be proud as we are celebrating Tel: (013) 766 5009 20 years of democracy in our country. We owe Fax: (013) 766 8253 it to Tata Nelson Mandela to make sure that our Email:[email protected] country continues to become the envy of other countries and we take this opportunity as the Nokuthula Mabena Tel: (013) 766 5168 editorial team of the magazine to thank Madiba Fax: (013) 766 8253 for gallantly fighting for freedom in our country. Email:[email protected] We must go all out and register to vote in the coming elections so that we can participate in democratic processes of our country.
In this edition, we report back and share successes that we have recorded in implementing our mandate. We are a hard working department and this is shown by the fact that South Africans voted for us as the best Arts and Culture Department in the country at the South African Traditional Music Achievement Awards and our own Musa was voted as the Idol for 2013.We urge all our readers to engage with us on issues of service delivery so that we can improve our performance. We value every input and our contacts are available in this newsletter. Mpumalanga DCSR is the best in South Africa
pumalanga reigned supreme at would not have been possible without them. the 2013 South African Traditional During the awards ceremony, the sounds of M Music Achievement Awards (SATMA) Vusi Nova, Mfiliseni Magubane and Pitch after the Department of Culture, Sport and Black Afro got MEC Manana and her delegation Recreation (DCSR) was voted as the best Arts dancing the night away. Even the Premier of and Culture department in the country. the Eastern Cape, Honourable Noxolo Kiviet In its 8th year, the SATMA were held in the was not immune to the infectious sounds and windy city of East London in Eastern Cape. cringe-worthy gags served by comedians and artists alike. Mpumalanga continued its reign in other categories of the awards which were hosted by Mpumalanga’s own Kedibone Mkhabela and Lunga Tshabalala from KZN.
The other winners from our province were: • Make Shelangubo for Best IsiSwati Album • Saaiplaas Boys for Best IsiNdebele Album Make Shelangubo and her Band Member after winning an award. • IKwekwezi FM for Best Traditional Music Programme Tensions mounted on the first leg of the two- day event as DCSR was among the nominees • Nothembi Mkhwebane for Best in the category for Best Department of Traditional Outfit for the night Arts and Culture and went head-to-head against Gauteng, Western Cape, Northern Cape and North West. As a result of the countless votes from the people of Mpumalanga and various parts of Mzansi, the Department took home this coveted award.
Two of Mpumalanga’s Golden gems, Ray Phiri and Nothembi Mkhwebane got everyone on their feet and proved to all that they are still Mzansi’s best after all these years. It was a journey well travelled as Mpumalanga DCSR and its artists came out victorious.
Now the race is on to host the SATMA in the province that oozes talent which the world deserves to see. This is surely a historical feat as it was the Department’s first SATMA nomination which MEC Sibongile Manana and DCSR officials receiving the SATMA MEC Manana and her delegation victoriously brought home. The MEC went on to thank the people of Mpumalanga for their awe- The MEC went on to thank the inspiring support thus acknowledging that it people of Mpumalanga for their awe-inspiring support
4 Mpumalanga aims to produce champions
ho do you go to when you want to examine the state of boxing in WMpumalanga and South Africa? The answer is simple. You have to look no further than Mr Paul Tshehla, who is regarded as an oracle of boxing in the country. Tshehla has a photographic memory of boxing events of the last 47 years and has an eye of sporting talent from a mile.
It was only logical that Tibuya Emasisweni spoke to him about the current state of the sport and the Mpumalanga Boxing Indaba. “I am happy the way the Boxing Indaba went,” he told the magazine. According to him, the gathering was a great way to start the revival of the sport.
He is one of the people who believe the only way to solve a problem is to acknowledge there is a MEC Sibongile Manana, Mr Lawrence Ngobeni and Mr Paul Tshehla. problem. “Minister Fikile Mbalula encouraged communication between Boxing South Africa and This is a far cry from the days when the province its stakeholders, which is what is needed,” he said. was teeming with boxing talent in hotbed areas of Mhluzi, eMalahleni, Secunda, Ogies The Boxing Indaba came about after Sport and and Siyabuswa. The province once boasted Recreation and Boxing South Africa agreed the first professional woman timekeeper in on a strategy to return the sport in the country Thandie Nxonono and the first professional to its former glory. It is disheartening to female judge in Africa in Lizie Thela. note that boxing was once the second most popular sport in the country behind football. What could be done to turn things around? “We Since then it has dropped off the radar and must invest in development,” answered Tshehla, disappeared from TV sets. This is what moved who has trained arguably the best pound for pound authorities to act and try to save the sport. boxer in the country, Mr Lawrence Ngobeni, the former Junior Welterweight Champion. Ngobeni The process started to unfold at provincial level is one of three champions he has trained including where provinces were asked to come up with his son, Anton, who was the junior featherweight inputs to the national indaba, which was held at champion and Tshepo Mashigo who was Junior the end of September last year. Mpumalanga held Middleweight Champion. its indaba in the same month in eMalahleni. It was here that luminaries of the sport such as Tshehla Tshehla, who has been involved in boxing discussed Regulatory Framework for Boxing; since 1966, is changing things around one Marketing and Promotions; the Development of tournament at a time. He has teamed up with Boxing in the Province and Scientific, medical Culture, Sport and Recreation to host amateur aspects and capacity development. tournaments around the province. “Without fail, we have hosted a tournament every month,” Besides these topics, the indaba had to answer he said. He described them as a launch pad the following questions: Why there is no licensed for the next big star. Nobody is more qualified boxer and only one licensed promoter in Thinus to talk about unearthing talent than the man Strydom in the province? Other worrying statistics who has produced three national champions. are that the province has only 15 male open boxers and only one female open boxer; five boxing clubs; “Through these tournaments, we will produce a 10 coaches; five ringside officials and six boxing national champion,” concluded Tshehla. administrators. 5 Musa wins Idols crown, hearts
ubbed the best season in the history of the Every week Musa and Brenden impressed the competition, South African Idols season judges and viewers and garnered more fans Dnine exhibited majestic musical talent. through their stellar performances of “Via Orlando” Young hopefuls from all over the country and “Nice and Slow” with both getting a thumbs came out in droves in the hope of following up from Mr hard-to-please-Randall. Their duet of in the footsteps of last season’s winner, R Kelly and Usher’s “Same Girl” further cemented Khaya Mthethwa from KwaZulu Natal. their Idol status as it displayed their vast talent.
Nicknamed “The Voice”, Musa Sukwene made history when he became the first contestant ever from Mpumalanga to win the competition. Having previously said that music is his medicine, Musa went on to mend many broken hearts with his beyond perfect renditions of some adored classics. Musa went on to put his fans in a trance when he performed during his Homecoming ceremony held in his hometown, eMalahleni. With the DCSR and eMalahleni municipality on tow, a convoy ushered Sukwene from his home, through KwaGuqa township where he brought Musa singing the song “Via Orlando” at the Idols contest one young lady to tears after seeing him in the flesh. After showing the Idols team and viewers Softail Lounge where it all started, Sukwene took Thousands stood before Gareth Cliff, Unathi the crowd at Highveld Mall down memory lane Msengwana and Randall Abrahams hoping to when he performed the classics. make the cut, but only sixteen of the best made the final cut. The auditions provided much laughter, Team Brenden and Team Musa had a final goosebumps and cringe-worthy moments, but chance to watch their favourite go head to head none could forget the moment 26-year-old Musa with the former performing his new track called Sukwene mesmerized the judges with his rendition “Fingerprints” which Unathi said was catchy and of Maxwell’s “Pretty Wings”. The Johannesburg funky. Musa’s song “I still feel it” had the ladies Auditions had loads more talent, like 19-year-old wishing the song was about them as he had them Brenden Ledwaba, a sound engineering student eating out of the palm of his hands. Both songs are whose rendition of Miguel’s “Adorn” had the on heavy rotation on radio stations nation-wide ladies at home gasping for air with one viewer along with music videos. Along with their new calling him a musical genius. tracks, Brenden and Musa staged some of their best performances from previous shows. Brenden took So what do Musa and Brenden have in common the stage to perform Asa’s “Jailer” and Rihanna’s besides saintly voices? Firstly, both crooners hail “Stay” respectively to great applause. Musa went from Mpumalanga Province with Musa calling on to wow the audience with his rendition of eMalahleni home and Brenden comes from the Marvin Gaye’s “Sexual Healing” and Ringo’s scenic Graskop. Furthermore, both artists set “Ngiyagodola”. Facebook and Twitter abuzz from their very first auditions until the final stages of the competition Mpumalanga’s MEC for Culture, Sport and with some predicting their place in the Top Recreation, Ms Sibongile Manana and her two weeks before the finale. Amidst intense delegation graced the finale with their presence. competition from the likes of Bunny, Zoé and Basking from her Department’s SATMA victory just Sonke, our crooners made history by being the a month ago, MEC Manana was all smiles as she first hopefuls from Mpumalanga to make it into came to support the two Mpumalanga hopefuls. the finale. The Department had campaigned for the artists
6 Musa, Brenden create Idols’ history encouraging people to rally behind both Brenden and Musa, which proved successful as both were the last two men standing.
Eight of the Top Ten finalists kicked off the finale at Pretoria’s Moreleta Park Church auditorium with an amazing and energetic performance. Brenden set off the tone for the evening with his groovy execution of Zahara’s “Lengoma” which was followed by Musa’s rendition of “Via Orlando”.
After being crowned the winner, the ever so humble Musa said, “I was surprised when I was announced as the winner because Brenden is a talented singer.” Sukwene won South Africa over with his charming smile and vocal prowess. His slogan of “this is Idols Season 9 and we’re voting number 9 and we’re doing this 9 9” proved effective as not only was it catchy, but it garnered him more votes. As the winner, Musa received prizes worth over R1 million which included a recording deal from Universal Music South Africa, a brand new Ford Fiesta and a clothing voucher from Truworths, just to name a few. With just 1000 votes between them, Musa and Brenden have proven that Mpumalanga’s got talent as not only is it the home of the rising sun, but that of immense talent.
Every week, Musa would witness his fellow Musa Sukwene celebrates winning SA Idols, while other contestants sing for their lives and still be participants look on. eliminated, but this never dampened his spirit as he gave it his all at every performance. As he proclaimed to the Idols team “When I’m with I was suprised when I was music, I am in heaven all the time”, the heavens announced the winner must be smiling now as Musa Sukwene’s angelic because Brenden is a talented voice has captivated the nation. singer - Musa
7 Gogo Qwelane is still teaching at 92
t is inconceivable but it is happening - a 92-year-old is still working at this ripe age and Ithis is none other than Ms Nontsikelelo Qwelane.
Qwelane teaches geography at Metropolitan College in White River and it makes her the oldest teacher in South Africa. It is almost unheard of nowadays for a person in her 90s to be still doing an eight to five job particularly in the teaching sector. Most nonagenarians are already in the twilight of retirement or spend their time recounting tales of days of yore, providing wise counsel to younger generation and looking after grandchildren. Tibuya Emasisweni caught up with Gogo Qwelane, as she is affectionately known in education circles, to find out how she has managed to stay on top of her storied teaching career, which spans more than seven decades.
If former Manchester United gaffer, Alex Ferguson, who was at the helm of the club for 24 years, is the Gogo Nontsikelelo Qwelane congratulated by epitome of longevity in sport, then Qwelane is the President Jacob Zuma after she was bestowed with the education equivalent. She has been in teaching Order of Baobab for a remarkable 73 years and in the process produced thousands of pupils. One of them is the magazine. It is ironic that her two daughters, the late Minister of KaNgwane Government, Nomakhwezi (63) and Nomonde (64), who are Dr Enos Mabuza, whom she described as also teachers, are all ready to call it quits. bright and sharp. In her teaching career, she has taught under four education systems from She started teaching in 1940 in the Eastern Cape missionary to the current National Curriculum and the profession has taken her to four provinces, Statement (NCS) and she has taught in both Western Cape, Gauteng and Mpumalanga. She public and private schools. She is full of praise came to the province in 1989 and worked at of the NCS as it allows pupils to be free thinkers. Ngwane Primary School in Barberton. For her, it has always been teaching. She really didn’t She has seen it all in 73 years in the classroom have any other choice as her older siblings were and nothing could have prepared for the teachers. She comes from a family of nine siblings explosion of new technology in the profession. and all of them are in the teaching profession. As a dynamic individual that she is, she As a fifth born, it was only logically as day follows has learnt to operate a computer as it as an night that she would also dedicate her life shaping integral part of teaching in the 21st century. future leaders. She said, “It was always logical for me to follow suit and study teaching. It is a noble Despite her advance years, she has no intention profession and I love it,” says Gogo Qwelane, who of retiring. “I will continue to teach as long holds degrees in Arts, Education and a Master’s in as l live,” says Gogo, who has recently been Public Administration all from Unisa. honoured for her feat. She received the Order of She concludes by saying that what pleases her Baobab from President Jacob Zuma and Public most is when she meets with her former pupils Service Achiever Award last year. She says there who went on to become better and productive is nothing that she enjoys more than developing professionals who contribute positively towards young minds. “For us to be able to fully develop the economy of the province and the country. the youth’s minds we need to be patient with them and teaching affords me that opportunity,” she told
8 Gogo Qwelane is still teaching at 92 Seven future writers identified in competion
emember the following names: Tinyiko Nx- The competition was launched at 10 primary umalo, Natasha Dzadza, Zach le Roux, schools within the Mbombela Local Municipality RBessie Breytenbach, Jomic du Plessis, and opened to Grade 4 and Grade 7 pupils, who Marne van Aarde and Shelby Guerin because were required to write stories in their home lan- they will soon take the literary world by storm. guages. The winning stories would be translated into two other languages, that is, a winning story The youngsters are authors of a new children’s sto- written in English will be translated into Afrikaans ry book called Stories Innibos and they are R1000 and SiSwati and so forth. richer. They were discovered during the Innibos Cohesion Book Project, which was launched at the Says Culture, Sport and Recreation mouthpiece, 2013 edition of the cultural festival. Presented by Ms Sibongile Nkosi, “This is a great project to get the Department of Culture, Sport and Recreation, people from all walks of life working together to the project was aimed at fostering social cohesion build a cohesive society.” through literature. The stories will be published as a compendium. The participating schools were Nelspruit, St. Pe- ters, Nelspruit Laerskool, Bergland, Laeveld, Bar- The stories are The Lost Puppy – Nxumalo, Why berton, Witrivier, Penryn, John Mdluli and Va- Birds Sing – Dzadza, Die Groen Monster – le lencia. Each school submitted three stories to a Roux, Martha en Dolf se Storie – Breytenbach, selection panel, who in turn, chose a winner from Gogo Nontsikelelo Qwelane congratulated by Die Verlore Dogtertjie – du Plessis, Die Geheim each school. President Jacob Zuma after she was bestowed with the van die Doodskis – van Aarde and The Invisible Order of Baobab Me – Guerin.
Pupils were required to write stories in their home languages
MEC Sibongile Manana with officials from Innibos Cohesion Book Project and the participating learners.
9 19
Gatisha moves from employee to employer
Mr Mashile Gatisha with his Leather creations. ven though the project started small, this experience he acquired in all those years in the never prevented the Mashile Gatisha Leather leather business came handy and it enabled him EGraft to grow in leaps and bounds. The project to grow the business in leaps and bounds. continues to grow and it specializes in prosperous Gatisha obtained a diploma in leather works with leather works and it is based in the Bohlabela Tsekemaboe Technical College in Seshego in district. 2005 and he started exhibiting his products in the The business specializes in all sort of leather works province and countrywide and this enabled him manufactured to upmarket standards and these to have clients in the province and Gauteng. includes sandals, waist belts, hand gun holsters, “My dream is to expand the business to new heights leather bags and leather hats etc. Their main and to transfer skills to young people and I am clients are the department of safety and security currently working with the Department of Culture, and department of correctional services amongst Sport and Recreation to achieve this through their others. Extended Public Works Programme,”Gatisha says. The Manager of the project, Mr Mashile Gatisha He is happy with the support and guidance that says his father started the project as a family DCSR has provided for his business and he says business in the late 1980s and as a young boy he will continue working with the Department as in those years, he began to have interest in the it has enabled him to grow his business. leather business. “Like any enterprise, we started small but with the “I would help my father after school hours and assistant and exposure we got from the DCSR, our he inspired me to work on different leather business has secured business deals with major designs and I grew an interest in the business and cellphone companies in the country to supply knew that I could make a living out of leather,” iPads and cellphone leather covers or protectors,” Mr Gatisha says. he says. He adds that in the 1990s, he worked with several Since the intervention of DCSR, they were able companies in Mpumalanga mainly specializing to get two learners on apprenticeship category to in leather works and after many years with these be trained in leather craft in the past two years companies, he resigned and took over his family and so far the company has employed five skilled business in 2009. permanent staff. He worked hard to advance and promote the My dreams is to expand the business and to teach and train younger staff business to new heights and to members latest trends in the business and the transfer skills to young people - Gatisha 12 Cricket champions are developed in Malekutu
Mthurisi Khoza, Mbuso Ndlovu, Siyabonga Mahima and Timothy Mthethwa.
hen they talk about a group of players had to work with what he had in front of him, who have the potential to represent the which was a soccer ball and an open field. The Wjunior national cricket team, the name gentlemen’s game never crossed his mind until his of Gerald Ngwenyama is in the mix. paths crossed with that of Vusi Matsebula. It was a meeting that would change his life for the better. Ngwenyama, who hails from Malekutu but is Matsebula and Ngwenyama met in 2007 when based in North West, is one of a handful of players the former founded Malekutu Cricket Academy who are in line to play for the Proteas u/19 side in (MCA) with the aim of giving youngsters a chance next year’s Cricket World Cup in the United Arab to play cricket. Matsebula himself fell in love with Emirates. The player is held in high esteem by his the sport during the 1999 Cricket World Cup in coach, Ray Jennings. If he makes the squad, he will England. be a step closer in fulfilling his childhood dream of playing for the senior side. The u/19 tournament Several years later, he decided to take things to has launched international playing careers of next level by organizing coaching clinics for the likes of AB de Villiers, Hashim Amla, Thami local youths. He started MCA out of nothing and Tsolekile, Graeme Smith, Wayne Parnell and Virat today it has more than 100 cricketers in its books. Kohli to mention just a few. Ngwenyama is its most famous and successful product having received a full academic Six years ago, the 18-year-old all-rounder would scholarship in Potchefstroom. In a recent TV have laughed at any suggestion that he would one interview on Kaelo Stories of Hope on e.tv, day be on the cusp of representing South Africa Ngwenyama spoke about how the game changed in cricket. He was a typical township lad who his life. had a dream of playing for one of the big two “It would not have been possible for me to get sides in local football – Kaizer Chiefs or Orlando the scholarship if it was not for cricket and the Pirates. It is not that he lacked ambition, but he intervention by Vusi,” he said.
13 Started from the bottom now they’re halfway to the top
When Matsebula started out, things were not easy. to offer,” he commented about the trip to Europe. He did not have equipment or a proper playing It was a successful trip for the boys with captain, field and practicing facilities. What he had was Siyabonga “Siya” Mahima named player of the passion for the game and a desire to introduce it tournament after starring with both bat and ball. to as many youngsters as possible. Fast forward to the present, he has made considerable strides in It might be a tough task running a cricket academy establishing MCA as a stronghold of black cricket on a shoestring budget and a meager grant from in Mpumalanga. Mpumalanga Cricket Union, but it is such accolades that make Mathebula want to soldier on. Since the Situated 35 kilometres outside of White River academy opened its doors, it has been a constant in the Ehlanzeni District, MCA is teeming with conveyor belt of young and talented cricketers latent cricket talent. It came as no surprise that the who have gone on to represent the district and players from the academy dominated the Southern province, while others have been pouched by Cape Sports Barbarian squad, which toured other unions. He tells Tibuya Emasisweni that Portugal in mid-2013 with nine players. The South one of the most decorated sides in South African African side was playing against other amateur cricket history, The Highveld Lions, are interested sides from England, Australia, Portugal, Pakistan in signing two of the academy players. “We will and Sri Lanka. “The trip to Portugal was good for be travelling to Gauteng for trials and I am pretty the development of cricket in the area and I was sure Geoffrey Toyana [Lions’ coach] will be blown delighted the boys had a wonderful tournament away by these boys,” concludes Mathebula. and showed the cricketing world what we have
Lucky Sibiya, Mbasa and Whitey Nkosi.
14 Holy Word now available in isiNdebele
outh Africa celebrates 20 years of democracy and it has been well received in Mpumalanga this year and as part of the legacy of this particularly in the AmaNdebele stronghold areas Speriod, the Department of Culture, Sport and in Nkangala region and this was evident when Recreation (DCSR) made the Ndebele speaking Tibuya Emasisweni conducted a vox populi. people proud by assisting in translating the bible into isiNdebele. Mr France Nyaka, The New Age journalist said: The unveiled isiNdebele Bible will certainly play AmaNdebele were the only people in the country an essential role in bringing the Ndebele nation who did not have a bible in their own language closer to God in their own language since the but that is the thing of the past as the bible is now majority of churches were using scriptures written available in all 11 official languages of South in other indigenous languages such as isiZulu Africa. The first bible to be translated into an and Siswati. The bible will also give hope to the indigenous South African language was Setswana Ndebele speaking people that their language is in 1857. being developed.
155 years on, it was the turn of the AmaNdebele Pastor Sithuli Dlamini of the DCSR religious desk people to celebrate the fact that the Lord’s word is said: The isiNdebele Bible is a blessing to all now available in their mother tongue and they have Ndebele people. We are very happy to have a Prof Andries Breytenbach, Ps David Mahlangu, Ps version of the word of God in our own language Peter Mahlangu and DCSR to thank for this. because it took a long time to become a reality. Dlamini is not Ndebele, but he is married to a The trio worked tirelessly to ensure that the Ndebele woman, who has taught him the language translation comes to fruition and they were assisted and he can read isiNdebele by himself. by isiNdebele language purists, the Bible Society of South Africa and DCSR to deliver the project, Mr Bongani Mthimunye of Daily Sun said: Since which has seen more than one million isiNdebele the Ndebele people had no Bible in their own speakers reading the Bible in their own language. language for a long time, the unveiling of the new isiNdebele Bible was long overdue. The Ndebele The isiNdebele Bible was launched last year people will also feel that their language forms part at Solomon Mahlangu Stadium in Siyabuswa of the 11 official languages of South Africa.
Rev. Moses Dlamini reading the isiNdebele Bible
15 President Samora Machel remembered
t has been 27 years since the tragic death of not deter the people of Mozambique and South Iformer Mozambican President Samora Machel Africa as they came out in droves to pay homage and 33 members of his delegation. On October to the “son of the soil”. Choirs from both countries 19, 1986, the president and his delegation were chanted their respective national anthems with travelling from Lusaka to Mozambique when the masses lending their voices to honour both their plane crashed in the Mbuzini mountains countries. (near Komatipoort) close to where the borders of Mozambique, Swaziland and South Africa MEC for Culture, Sport and Recreation, connect. Ms. Sibongile Manana presented the keynote address and acknowledged President Samora A monument was built on the very site where Machel’s fight against apartheid as most South the crash occurred in their honour. The spirit of Africans found comfort in Mozambique during the former Mozambican president lives on as the trying era in our country. his commemoration continues to attract a large number of people from both South Africa and Manana went on to address the three main Mozambique. One of the Culture, Sport and challenges confronting Africa, namely: poverty, Recreation departmental goals for 2013 is to unemployment and inequality that need to be market and promote the site by acknowledging eroded to ensure the continent’s development. its history and educating the masses with stories of the revolution that emancipated both in South As it was a celebration of a phenomenal leader, Africa and Mozambique. cultural groups such as Siyatentela and Sibhaca sidla ngaloludzala as well as Mozambican An annual celebration was once again held on the groups- Shigubhu Velavista and Mozambican 18th of October 2013 in Mbuzini to celebrate the Peace Warrant got everyone in a commemorative life and times of one of Africa’s most loved leader, vibe through their captivating and acrobatic President Samora Machel. The frosty weather did performances.
Governor of Maputo Province, Her Excellency Maria Jonas laying wreaths and speaking at the Samora Machel Memorial Site.
16 Mpumalanga athlete wins bursary worth R100 000
Team Mpumalanga at a Parade during the National School Sport Championship 2013
boy’s dream of playing professional football ministerial bursaries through the Talent Identification received a major boost when he was Programme. A selected as the best u/13 player in South Africa at the National School Sport Championship So what is the National School Sport Championship recently. and how does it feature in sport development? It is an important tool used by government to identify, Doctor Nkuna impressed scouts at the week-long nurture and develop talented pupils into future tournament, which was held in Bloemfontein, Free athletes. The National School Sport Championship, State, with his immense talent and amazing ball in a nutshell, is aimed at giving pupils a sporting skills. It resulted in him being honoured as the best chance. It starts from local, then goes to district and young talent in the country and he was awarded a then provincial level where schools compete for R100 000 per annum bursary to go towards his high supremacy in the following codes: basketball, cricket, school education. It was an amazing achievement football, wheelchair, basketball, gymanstics, rugby, for the boy, who started playing the sport when he chess, table tennis and volleyball. It culminates with was 9 on the dusty streets of the Bohlabela. a National School Sport Championship in which the nine provinces battle it out for top honours. He represented Mhlahle Primary School at the tournament. The boy’s coaches were not surprised Last year, the number of codes being played at the by the award as they knew the moment he joined tournament was increased to 14 to include hockey, the team that he was a special talent and they told morabaraba and jukskei. Team Mpumalanga went the magazine to watch the space as he was destined into the Manguang Games with only one mission for greater things in the future. in mind and that was to make their province proud which they did. Although they did not bring the Talking about the future, he wants to play for Orlando number one trophy home, the team proved to be Pirates and help Bafana Bafana win the 2022 FIFA a force to be reckoned with, particularly in chess, World Cup in Qatar. Nkuna was one of 28 pupils volleyball, jukskei, basketball, tennis and gymnastics. from across the country who were awarded with
17 When the results were announced, Mpumalanga had a reason to smile as it moved up two spots from last year’s position 7 to 5. The team claimed five gold, five silver and 14 bronze medals for a total of 42 points. Gymnastics won four gold medals with jukskei bringing home five bronze medals.
Gauteng was position one, second KwaZulu Natal and third Western Cape. Four was North West, six Free State, seven North West, eight Limpopo and nine Northern Cape. The Department applauds the team on its efforts at the 2013 Championships and anticipates a majestic 2014 in Sports. Netball Players from Mpumalanga during the National School Sport Championships 2013.
Members of Team Mpumalanga taking a break after a hard game
Bronze Medal Winners from Mpumalanga
18 Sibanyoni is intonga poster girl
The sport is growing in leaps and bounds - Lulama
n a sport dominated by men on and off the Iintonga rings, Lulama Sibanyoni is a rarity. Sibanyoni had to jump over many hoops in order to make a name for herself in intonga. Prior to 2006, the sport was the terrain of men and having a woman as part of the sport was frowned upon. That was before Sibanyoni was recruited to the Indigenous Games fraternity by one of the leading figures of the games in Mpumalanga, Lucky Nkosi.
“I was playing karate when I was recruited to try my hand in Indigenous Games,” Sibanyoni told Lulama Sibanyoni (right) judging one of the bouts. Tibuya Emasisweni at the sidelines of the 2013 in six straight National Championships and her National Indigenous Games Festival where she swansong was the stuff that Americans would turn was one of six women out of 18 technical officials into a blockbuster movie. She won all her matches in intonga. Dressed in black chinos, white shirt and and in the process helped the province to claim bowtie, she looks nothing like the intonga player a silver medal. “It was a great feeling to bow out she was a year ago. She has taken to officiating in style,” said Sibanyoni, who still trains with her like a duck into water. club in her hometown, Siyabuswa.
She was making her debut as a technical official Asked about the future of the sport in the province, in this year’s tournament and was encouraged by she had this to say, “The sport is growing in leaps the numbers at the tournament. “It was not easy. and bounds, but I feel women are still a minority.” I had no role model and I had to inspire myself to reach the levels I did and I had to train with According to her, women regard intonga as a men,” she recounted how it all started for her. dangerous sport where players are gouged and At that time, it might have appeared as a handicap scared for life. A glance at her 31-year-old face to train with men, but in the bigger scheme of does not show any battle scares she suffered in things, it prepared her to be one of the best women her career. stick fighters in the country. In her playing days, opponents trembled on her sight. Ten minutes into the interview she is called to She retired last year after representing Mpumalanga attend a technical officials’ meeting. I ask her a parting shot. “Under the guidance of Amos Mgidi the sport is in a healthy state and results show it,” she said as she disappeared into the belly of the Tshwane Events Centre.
It was a great feeling to bow out in style - Lulama
Lulama Sibanyoni officiating during the games
19 SINGING OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL ANTHEM
The National Anthem should be given the respect it deserves and be sung correctly and completely. Stand up straight with your hands on your sides. Male persons should take off their hats and no lifting of fists should be done. Only the President of the Country can put his right hand on his left side of the chest and no one else is allowed to do that. The National Anthem must be sung correctly to the end.
THESOUTH SOUTH AFRICAN AFRICAN NATIONAL NATIONAL ANTHEM ANTHEM
Nkosi sikelel’ iAfrika Maluphakanyisw’ uphondo lwayo, Yizwa imithandazo yethu, Nkosi sikelela, thina lusapho lwayo. Morena boloka setjhaba sa heso, O fedise dintwa le matshwenyeho, O se boloke, O se boloke setjhaba sa heso, Setjhaba sa South Afrika - South Afrika Uit die blou van onse hemel, Uit die diepte van ons see, Oor ons ewige gebergtes, Waar die kranse antwoord gee, Sounds the call to come together, And united we shall stand, Let us live and strive for freedom, In South Africa our land.