Morabaraba is one of the popular games of the competition

RELATED LINKS: Limber up for indigenous games JOHANNESBURG and Absa are hosting a festival of indigenous games, from dibeke to morabaraba. Read more A good time was had by all YOUNGSTERS from the City's 11 regions had the time of their lives during the 2005 Joburg Absa Indigenous Games. Read more

Participants playing skipping at the indigenous games

Indigenous Games to celebrate heritage Take time out from mainstream sport during Heritage Month and join over 17 000 participants in an interesting variety of games at the Joburg Absa Indigenous Games. September 13, 2006 By Lucky Sindane BORED with popular sports like soccer, rugby and cricket? Celebrate Heritage Month by taking part in the third annual Joburg Absa Indigenous Games to be held across the City. The games will involve over 17 000 participants in a wide variety of games, including dibeke, kgati, morabaraba, mmela, dithini, diketo, khokho, intonga, legusha, musical chairs, pillow fight, tug of war, jukskei, needle and thread, sack race, three-legged race and wheelbarrow race. The Joburg Absa Indigenous games are split into two legs; the first leg will take place on Saturday, 16 September at regional level, involving various wards in each region. The main event – which is at city level with winners from all regions competing - will take place on Wednesday, 27 September from 9am at the Randburg Sports Complex in Randburg. Under the theme of 'The age of hope through indigenous games', the games aim to inspire hope amongst South Africa's youth by restoring the passion for the games played by former generations. "Since the inception in 2003, participation has risen from 4 000 in 2004 to 10 000 in 2005. We are very happy that these games bring communities in Johannesburg together and afford them the opportunity to play together," said the spokesperson for the city's department of sport and recreation, Vincent Campbell. "The games help to celebrate our living heritage through sport and recreation and they range from casual play to sophisticated competitive play. They are linked to the traditions of a cultural group and are of local origin, influenced by historical, environmental, social and cultural circumstances," added Campbell. The games' objectives are for communities to play together, while young people are given an opportunity to enhance their careers in coaching, officiating and administering a sports event. Tertiary institutions will observe their internship students applying practical experience in event management, and at the same time the indigenous games' educational curriculum will be enhanced. "Absa is a proudly South African company that embraces the nurturing of South Africa's heritage. It is for this reason that we are proud to partner the City in this exciting campaign," said Absa Gauteng regional marketing manager, Mike Sithole. "I believe our support of the Joburg Absa Indigenous games shows our commitment and partnership spirit in growing South Africa's prosperity," concluded Sithole. For more information, contact Karabo Semenya on 082 467 9540, Busi Zuma on 082 857 2622 or Nozi Lentsoane on 082 550 2807. Permission to use web site material Publishers may use material from this site free of charge, as long as: Credit is given to either the "City of Johannesburg website (www.joburg.org.za)" or to "Johannesburg News Agency (www.joburg.org.za)"; If the article is used online, a link is provided to the original article on this website; The name of the article's author is acknowledged; The webmaster is informed of how and where the material is used (fill in this brief online form). Johannesburg News Agency is operated by BIG Media at 011-484-1400 Print this Page E-mail this article to a friend Help using Joburg.org.za