September is undeniably a time to celebrate one’s traditional heritage and appreciate the country’s cultural diversity, hence, the Region B directorate of Sport and Recreation gathered coaches, senior citizens, and youngsters to participate in indigenous games at the Danie Van Zyl Recreation Centre.

Indigenous games indulged in included dibeke, diketo, dithini, khokho, legusha, and ayabababa magiya e stofing.

Participants listened with great vigour when coaches gave instructions, which they followed and practised, learning from their mistakes, and eventually getting it right.One of the coaches, Nothando Zulu, taught youngsters how to play diketo. Zulu demonstrated how different skills, such as counting and moving stones in a coordinated format, win the game.

She displayed how concentration is vital in playing the game and showed them how to use cognitive and motor skills while playing diketo. Discipline and position awareness form part of the game. One by one, participants practised and moved to different games. Playing indigenous games contribute to the development of children; the sooner society invests in its children, the better, said Zulu.

“I had fun. The coronavirus made us stay at home. Today, I came here to play, and I enjoyed myself,” said Mary Modise, from Newclare.Tony Mkhize added: “It is nice being here and I learnt how to play dibeke. I also taught my friends how to play three-legged legusha. “While giggling, Mkhize said she had enjoyed playing dithini (tins).

“My team lost because they all ran to pack dithini (the tins). I screamed to tell them not to do that yet, but they did not listen and we got tagged out. Next time we will play better and win,” she said.Asked if there was value in teaching people the significance of indigenous games, coach John George said with pride: “I am confident that the more we teach youngsters to play indigenous games, the more the games will be known and passed on to future generations”.

George adds that indigenous games played when he was young were crucial to his development as a child.”I do not want indigenous games to disappear from society, so I am teaching them to young ones to secure the next generation.”The indigenous games programme in the City forms part of the integrated recreation activities intended to promote a healthy lifestyle and bring communities together.

“We intend to host indigenous games once a month and look forward to a day where certain residents will be selected to participate internationally to represent South Africa. Playing indigenous games brings people together and is a demonstration of a City that cares,” said George.

20/09/2022