12 October 2006
The North West Department of Public Works emerged as the dominant sporting
department in the National Infrastructure Sports Tournament for departments of
public works and transport held last week in Mafikeng.
The three-day tournament held under the theme "Sports Creating Unity in the
work environment" started with a five kilometre fun run on Thursday morning and
continued with quarterfinals and semi-finals in male and female soccer,
netball, volleyball, tug-of-war and aerobics throughout Thursday and
Friday.
Bruised egos and wounded pride of visiting teams gave credence to the
SeTswana adage, "noga ga e latelelwe mosimeng" loosely translated "it is
dangerous to pursue a snake in its environment".
Delivering the keynote speech at the prize giving and closing ceremony of
the tournament, North West Public Works Head of Department Mr Obakeng Mongale
encouraged public servants to work hard as they return to their workstations
recharged.
"In our day to day work, like in sport, we have to have a positive mental
attitude, listen to our intuition, respect the rules, immerse ourselves with
the passion to serve our people and love what we do," said Mongale.
The North West Department of Public Works team was crowned champions for the
third year in succession in male soccer and its player, Pule Motlousane, was
awarded the best player of the tournament. His team-mate Tebogo Letsoju was
awarded the best goalkeeper award for the tournament.
The Department also team received silver medals as runner-ups in the ladies
soccer category which was swooped by the North West Department of Transport,
Roads and Community Safety whose player Matshediso Nkwane received the golden
boot award and best player award.
All the awards in aerobics, i.e. best dressed, co-ordination, endurance,
motivator and overall winner were shared between the provincial host teams of
the Department of Public Works and Transport, Roads and Community Safety. Linda
Malete and Solly Ndamase from the Department of Public Works were the overall
winners.
The North West Department of Public Works team was also crowned champions
and individual players received gold medals in volleyball. Two players from the
team, i.e. Thabo Rammile and Tiro Legalatladi scooped the best player and best
spiker awards respectively. Tiro Legalatladi as player coach also scooped the
best coach/manager award. The North West Department of Transport, Roads and
Community Safety received silver as runner ups in this sporting code.
Mpumalanga Department of Roads and Transport was crowned champions in the
men's tug-of-war while Limpopo Public Works scooped the ladies championship in
this sporting code.
The tournament was hosted jointly by the North West Departments of Public
Works and Transport, Roads and Community Safety. Next year's tournament will be
hosted by the Eastern Cape.
For further details contact:
Lesiba Kgwele
Departmental Spokesperson
Tel: (018) 387 2447
Cell: 083 629 1987
Issued by: Department of Public Works, North West Provincial
Government
12 October 2006
