10 May 2006
This yearâs Indigenous Games (IG) Festival promises to be bigger and better
than the two National Indigenous Games Festivals held in the past. This was
confirmed by the Sport and Recreation South Africa (SRSA) National Indigenous
Games co-ordinator, Mr Goodman Ndaba.
A workshop with all the nine IG provincial co-ordinators and relevant
stakeholders was held on 4 May 2006 in Cape Town to prepare for the delivery of
the third Indigenous Games Festival to be held in Mpumalanga from 1 to 3
September 2006, which will coincide with the heritage month celebrations.
Amongst the recommendations from the workshop was for all stakeholders to
undergo a course on the rules and regulations of Indigenous Games, followed by
the development of a detailed project plan and IG concept document.
As part of the workshop, the team saw a demonstration of the Khoisan Games,
which might be included as a recognised IG Game in future.
All provinces have confirmed their preparations for the third Indigenous
Games Festival including plans on their team selections.
Indigenous Games is a project of SRSA 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.
They are part of the SRSAâs global strategy in optimising South Africaâs
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.
Enquiries: Zweli Mnisi
Tel: (012) 334 3120
Cell: 082 464 4659
Issued by: Sport and Recreation South Africa
10 May 2006
Source: Sport and Recreation South Africa (http://www.srsa.gov.za)
