Let the games begin

LET THE GAMES BEGIN
Buoyed up by Bafana Bafana victory over
Angola, the launch of a School Sports
Programme by the MEC for Education,
Senzo Mchunu and MEC for Arts, Culture,
Sports and Recreation, Ntombikayise
Sibhidla-Saphetha, was nothing short of a
spectacular. This historic launch, which
took place at Umzimkhulu amidst scorching
heat, left indelible memories to both the
locals and the visitors alike.
MEC for Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation, Ntombikayise Sibhidla-Saphetha and
the MEC for Eduction, Senzo Mchunu: signing MOU
The new integrated School Sports Program is a joint project between the Department of Basic Education and the
Department of Sport and Recreation. The main objectives of the programme are to ensure that learners at all schools
have
the
opportunity
to
participate in sport and develop
sporting
skills;
to
expose
learners to a variety of sporting
codes provided by the school; to
Mbuzweni girls soccer team pose before the game
KWAZULU-NATAL DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Postal Address: Private Bag X9137 • Pietermaritzburg • 3200 • Republic of South Africa
Physical Address: 247 Burger Street • Anton Lembede Building • Pietermaritzburg • 3201
Tel.: +27 33 392 1029 • Call Centre: +27 0860 596 363 • Fax.: +27 033 392 1212 • Email: nompumelelo.gasa@kzndoe.gov.za • Web: www.kzneducation.gov.za
create conditions for the development and nurturing of identified talent in specific sporting codes; and to create a
vibrant school sporting code structure that is effective and properly managed.
The launch at Umzimkhulu started by
both MECs visiting local schools talking
about the importance of school sports
and giving away sporting equipments to
four schools around Umzimkhulu.
Speaking to a capacity filled tent, MEC
Senzo Mchunu spoke about the
significance of school sports. He
encouraged all schools in the province
to be part of the programme and to
The MEC with his entourage greeting one of the learners from Umzimkulu Junior
Secondary
register for school’s leagues. “Involving yourselves in sporting activities will keep you healthy and ensure your mental
agility, which will ensure that you
succeed
even
in
your
academic
performance,” said MEC Mchunu. He
emphasized that the Department takes
school sports very seriously. “We have
made a resolve as a Department that in
HOD with the MEC enjoying a soccer match
KWAZULU-NATAL DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Postal Address: Private Bag X9137 • Pietermaritzburg • 3200 • Republic of South Africa
Physical Address: 247 Burger Street • Anton Lembede Building • Pietermaritzburg • 3201
Tel.: +27 33 392 1029 • Call Centre: +27 0860 596 363 • Fax.: +27 033 392 1212 • Email: nompumelelo.gasa@kzndoe.gov.za • Web: www.kzneducation.gov.za
KwaZulu-Natal no new school is going to be built without ample space for sporting activities and facilities,” he said.
MEC Sibhidla-Saphetha also encouraged schools to join school’s league and to use at least two hours a week for
sporting activities.
This event was also attended by Amazulu Football Club
Players as well as the Sharks players who gave motivational
talks to learners. Banyana Banyana Captain, Amanda Dlamini,
encouraged learners to take sports as a serious activity. “What
is also important though is that you must ensure that while you
pursue your sporting dreams, you don’t neglect education”,
said the petite Banyana Captain who is also a student at the
University of Johannesburg.
After all the speeches, both MEC’s got down to the business of
signing the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which is
aimed at establishing a formal and collaborative relationship
between the two Departments and to clarify responsibilities of
each Department. Both Departments committed to ensuring
that school sports programme is implemented to all schools in
The MEC showing his physical agility
KwaZulu-Natal
KWAZULU-NATAL DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Postal Address: Private Bag X9137 • Pietermaritzburg • 3200 • Republic of South Africa
Physical Address: 247 Burger Street • Anton Lembede Building • Pietermaritzburg • 3201
Tel.: +27 33 392 1029 • Call Centre: +27 0860 596 363 • Fax.: +27 033 392 1212 • Email: nompumelelo.gasa@kzndoe.gov.za • Web: www.kzneducation.gov.za