Festival
3 September 2007
North West province is the 2007 Indigenous Games champion, having survived a
stiff challenge from Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo, who came second and
joint third, respectively, at the 2007 indigenous games festival held in
Mdantsane in the Eastern Cape. North West has won the indigenous games
championship for the fourth time, having previously won in 2003, 2005, and
2006. There was no festival in 2004. This festival forms part of countrywide
Heritage Month celebrations.
Closing the games yesterday, Sport and Recreation Minister, Makhenkesi
Stofile challenged the provinces to ensure that athletes with disabilities also
participate in the games. He also made a call to provinces to involve women as
provincial co-ordinators for the indigenous games.
The Minister also announced that there will be no indigenous games festival
in 2008 as South Africa will be hosting the Zone VI U/20 Youth Games. Going
forward, the Minister called upon all provinces to contribute towards
globalising the games to an extent where they would be accepted as common to
all. Next year North Korea, will be hosting similar games and South Africa has
been invited to attend the games and make demonstrations that according to the
Minister, "will contribute towards deepening the friendship and solidarity
between our two great nations."
Participation at the 2007 festival was in eight indigenous games and the
winners per code (from position one to three) are:
* Ugqaphu / Kgati / Ntimo: KwaZulu-Natal � Mpumalanga � Free State
* Diketo / Upuca / Magave: Limpopo � North West � Free State
* Morabaraba / Mlabalaba: Gauteng � Mpumalanga � North West
* Ncuva / Ntijwa / Tsoro / Tshimaya/Moruba: Limpopo � Mpumalanga � Western
Cape
* Dibeke / Diwiki / Snuka / Skununu / Umabhorisha: KwaZulu-Natal � North West �
Western Cape
* Jukskei: Western Cape � Mpumalanga � Northern Cape
* Kho-Kho: North West � Gauteng � Western Cape
* Iintonga / Melamu / Iziduku: North West � Free State � Eastern Cape and
Western Cape (joint 3rd)
Overall, North West obtained 17 points, Mpumalanga 12, KwaZulu-Natal and
Limpopo 10 each, Western Cape 9, Gauteng 8, Free State 5, Eastern Cape 3, and
Northern Cape 1 point. Winners were awarded medals (gold, silver or bronze). As
the overall winner, North West was awarded a floating trophy.
For enquiries, contact:
Manase Makwela
Spokesperson
Cell: 082 782 1759
Issued by: Sport and Recreation South Africa
3 September 2007
