Byline: Thendo Funyufunyu

Wednesday, 22 February 2023

The Mpumalanga Department of Education held the athletics championships for primary schools, which started from the interhouse championships and culminated at the district championship on Saturday, 18 February 2023 at Secunda, Lilian Ngoyi stadium.

Through these championships, the department is able to unearth dormant talent from the learners in schools who participate and thereby expose them to elite competitive levels in the country.

The department is also able to address social ills that are now an order of the day in schools, such as bullying, teenage pregnancy, alcohol abuse, intake of intoxicating substances such as Nyaope and many more substances.

Through these programmes, the department is able to make schools safe havens for children, resulting in schools having a joyous time.

“I am excited to see this event being successful as it is, and to see more learners participating with their parents supporting them and cheering them during their participation on the field,” said SD Nkosi the head of Athletics.

He further stated that, as the department, they hope that even the district secondary school Athletics will be successful, which will take place on Saturday, 25 February 2023 at Secunda stadium.

“As the chairperson, I am overwhelmed to see everyone engaging in this initiative which helps our children to expose their talent and also excited to see everything going according to the plan,” said Bongani Nzima, chairperson of the Athletics in the district.

“Watching our learners participating in these athletics, I feel proud as they have the opportunity to show-case their talent in public,” said Thandazi Mathebula , a teacher from Zizameleni primary school.

The results of all the finals were put in ascending order and learners were awarded a gold medal, silver medal and bronze medal as well, whereas position 4 did not get anything.

However, at 1200m for girls, Duplessis Andren was awarded position 1, followed by Maseko Lethokuhle with position 2 and Magazi Sanele with position 3.

For boys at 1200m, Nkabinde Silondikuthle was awarded position 1, followed by Hlatshago Bandile with position 2 and Human Kaywen with position 3.