MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Mrs Nomusa Dube-Ncube, made these comments as she congratulating the 8 entrants from the KwaDukuza Local Municipality that will take part in the Kyokushin Iko 2014 International friendship tournament in Japan. This tournaments will bring together some of the world’s best martial arts experts that will battle to see who becomes champion.
It is great for us to see our own martial arts experts take onto the world stage, where they will showcase their skills. It makes us proud as South Africa, more especially as we are celebrating 20 years of freedom this year, and this freedom that we have has impacted on every aspect of the lives of our citizens. Today our youth have a variety of options to pursue their talents and be guaranteed that we as government will always back them whenever they make the cut to get onto the world stage.
Former President Nelson Mandela once said ' Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does’ these young people that have been are going to Japan showcase what our country is capable of, ” said Dube-Ncube.
MEC Dube-Ncube has also commended the KwaDukuza Local Municipality Council, for providing the necessary support to this young team, which had part of the trip costs, paid for by the Municipality.
During the sending off ceremony which was hosted by the Municipality, Mayor Ricardo Mthembu, called upon the team to represent the country with pride. “Nothing breeds success like success. We are now assured that we have a strong team of fighters who will place us on the global map. We are confident that they have the potential to do battle against international heavyweights” said Mayor Mthembu.
The tournament will be held on 18 to 19 April and is a platform which senior fighter, Fisokuhle Mhlongo (35), is certain they will do well in, as he and his team have competed in various international tournaments in Russia and Kuwait. “We looking forward to taking on our international counterparts and we will make this country proud,” said Mhlongo.
MEC Dube-Ncube has also called upon Municipalities in the province to continue to support and encourage disciplines like Martial Arts, as they contribute to making young people more disciplined.
