launch of the 3rd National Indigenous Games
29 August 2006
Good morning everyone
I would firstly like to extend my appreciation to members of the media for
their diligent effort in informing the public about various sport and
recreation developments within and outside the province and most importantly
for making it to this media briefing.
South Africa's history has been a bitter one coupled with racial
discrimination and segregation of the majority of its people. With the
liberation of our country, there comes a need to ensure that the historical
landscape of our country is reflective on the events and occurrences that led
us to our liberation. Hence the need to revive, promote and support all
initiatives aimed at repositioning our heritage landscape. Indigenous games are
no exception to such national effort. The indigenous games need to be properly
documented and preserved for the many generations to come.
As we will be hosting the 3rd national Indigenous Games Festival in our
province Mpumalanga, this year's Indigenous Games Festival promises to be
bigger and better than the two national Indigenous Games Festivals held in the
past. About 585 players, 135 officials and coaches from around the country are
all expected to converge on our province of the rising sun, together with
scores of spectators from all over the country.
It is interesting to note that Khoisan Indigenous Games were demonstrated to
provincial Indigenous Games co-ordinators during their recent workshop in the
Western Cape, considerations are in process for their possible inclusion as
part of identified Indigenous Games in future. All provinces have confirmed
their readiness for the third Indigenous Games Festival including plans on
their team selections.
Indigenous Games is a project of Sport and Recreation South Africa, under
Mass Participation which aims at promoting cultural activities that have a
particular appeal to vast sectors of the South African communities,
particularly the traditional rural people. The revival of games was a response
to President Thabo Mbeki's call on African Renaissance. The games were
officially launched by the former Minister of Sport and Recreation, Mr Ngconde
Balfour at the picturesque Basotho Cultural Village in February 2001 and have
been developed and implemented in all the nine provinces of South Africa ever
since.
These games are part of the global strategy on optimising South Africa�s
cultural heritage and values thereby instilling a sense of pride in our
cultural games. The games to be competed against are: Intonga, Diketo, Dibeke,
Morabaraba, Jukskei, Ncuva, Kgati and kho-kho. I have no doubt that as we
promote the games; we will be promoting and celebrating cultural diversity,
integration, cultural tolerance and non-racialism.
Members from the media, you are all invited to the official opening that
will start at 18h00 on 31 August, then followed by the games from 1 - 3
September 2006 from 09h00 daily. All these will take place at the Badplaas
Forever Resort, Albert Luthuli Municipality.
On behalf of the hosting province Mpumalanga I want to wish all
participants, officials and everyone who will be part of these games an
enjoyable and a fruitful time during the games. To our media in particular you
have been instrumental in informing and educating the public and I surely hope
you won�t do less for the indigenous games.
I thank you all.
Issued by: Department of Culture, Sport and Recreation, Mpumalanga
Provincial Government
29 August 2006
