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Richard Nkosi
Barberton played host to the Mpumalanga Indigenous Games Championship when the three provincial regions descended on the Barberton High School’s sport grounds on Saturday and Sunday.
The regions that participated in the weekend camp included the host Ehlanzeni, Gert Sibande and Nkangala.
The games were used to select players who will represent the province in the national championship in which all nine provinces will be fighting for top honours. It will be held in Gauteng during heritage month from August 31 to September.
Games that were participated in during the selection process included dibeke, khokho, diketo, kgati, juskei, intonga, morabaraba, incuva and driestokies.
According to Frans Mudau, games coordinator, the selection went smoothly and he believed that they would select a team that will hoist the provincial flag during the national championship.
“All the players participated with passion and strong ethics, dedicated to working together as teams was what laid the foundation for a fantastic weekend together. The team that will surpass last year’s group achievement will be selected from this camp. Players had to work extremely hard to be recognised. The camp proved to be a key element in the whole selection process for the 2010 team,” he said.Last year’s team claimed bronze after finishing third overall in the national championship, which was held in KwaZulu Natal.Cllr Rebecca Manyisa attended the championships on behalf of Umjindi Council and thanked the Department of Culture, Sports and Recreation for choosing Barberton as host.“The staging of the games here made us feel part of Mpumalanga. We are very grateful for that. We would also like to congratulate the players for their good behavior throughout the weekend,” she said.Some Barbertonian, who formed part of the Ehlanzeni team, did very well in various sporting disciplines. They are now waiting with anticipation for the announcement of the provincial team to find out if they have made it. Most of them were confident that they have won a spot in the provincial team.
Bertha Morris, Evira Ferguson and Clifford Booysen won bronze in juskei. Phindile Masango and Queeneth Dlamini won silver in incuva. Thokozane Sibiya won silver in driestokies. Defence Mashego won gold in kgathi. Other bronze medal winners were Noxolo Zulu, Ntuthuko Mokoena, Bonginkosi Twala, Bunhle Thabethe, Thulile Maseko, Zinhle Twala, Ace Ndzimandze, Opela Lukhele, Xolile Zulu, Mthobisi Zulu, Cindy Ndlala and Fredy Mathabela.
The overall regional champions were won by Gert Sibande with 20 points. Nkangala came second with 16 while Ehlanzeni finished last with 14.
Those who represent Mpumalanga were not yet announced at the time of going to press.
 Bertha Morris, Elvira Ferguson and Clifford Booysen participated in jukskei  (Front) Phindile Masango, Queeneth Dlamini, (back) Thokozane Sibiya and Defence Mashego who won medals in their categories
 Barbertonians who participarted in the games are (front) Noxolo Zulu, Mathuto Mokoena, Bonginkosi Twala, (back) Buhle Thabethe, Thulile Maseko and Zinhle Twala.
 Bronze medal winners are (front) Ace Ndzimandze, Opela Lekhuleni, Xolile Zulu, Mthobisi Zulu (middle) Cindy Ndlala, Fredy Mathebula, (back) Mncdisi Ngubeni and Jeffrey Matsebula
 Colile Lephoane (Gert Sibande) with the trophy for overall champions of the indigenous games championships
 Mpendulo Nkumbane of Nkangala (red shirt) in battle with Jacob Masina of Gert Sibande while empire Colile Lephoane looks on |
