The two-day challenge is the brainchild of Chief Phatekile Holomisa, a sport fanatic who uses the annual challenge to encourage the community he leads, to benefit from participation in sport and recreation. The Challenge first saw the light of day in 2009 and it is organised by the Hegebe Cultural Development Trust.
Activities of the day included a 5 km fun-run, six-team soccer and netball tournament, as well as a number of horse races held in Ngcalaseni, a few kilometers outside Mqanduli. The Cup Challenge that has seen attendance of about 3 000 people on the first day, is supported by Sport and Recreation South Africa and the provincial department responsible for Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, who are providing playing kit for soccer and netball, as well as boxing equipment. The team winners and players of the tournament will win trophies.
Notable about the fun run, was the domination of the Nyamende family, which provided the youngest entrant; oldest entrant; and twins. The youngest and oldest participants, both of whom won prizes from the Spar Supermarket and goodie bags from Telkom, were the 59 year old Ms Noncekelelo Nyamende, and her grandson, the six year old Codesa. The twins, Bakhusele and Azile, are Codesa's brothers. According to Ms Nyamende, "Since I started participating in sport and recreation, I haven't visited the clinic as I'm healthier. But I can't say the same about other people of my age, some of whom cannot walk without assistance."
The horse racing ended up with the 15 year old Sankobe Junior Secondary School learner, Monwabisi Sirhobololo, who started racing in 2006, winning races in the two and three year old horses categories, with the two year old Sukebantwini and the three year old Celindlela. Asked how he beats men way older than him on the race track, the shy Grade 5 learner said it is due to his understanding and care he gives the horses he rides and most importantly, how I work the stick on my horses.
The final day of the Dilizintaba Cup Challenge will see among other activities, the final matches in soccer and netball as well as related prize giving ceremony, an address by Minister Mbalula, and the traditional beauty pageant.
