All eyes were on the shiny silver netball World Cup trophy as it toured the streets of Joburg on Wednesday, 31 May 2023, on a branded bus. The aim of the tour is to highlight netball to townships and informal settlements and provide the Gauteng netball fraternity with an equal opportunity to experience and access the World Cup in their backyard. Netball South Africa won the bid to host the 2023 Netball World Cup, which will take place in Cape Town from 28 July 2023 to 6 August 2023.
The trophy tour started in Orange Farm and made its way through the streets on a red bus from the Metro Centre in Braamfontein.
The Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg, Cllr Kabelo Gwamanda, received the trophy at the Metro Centre in Braamfontein.
“As a world-class African City, we are ready to give world-class African support to make this an historical event. The cup is here for the first time in years. We don’t want anything to happen to the cup except for it to remain where it belongs.”
The trophy made a second stop at the Gauteng Legislature and thereafter headed to Vilakazi Street in Soweto. Residents were waving, smiling, and screaming as the bus drove around the streets, while motorists hooted to show their support.
The Members of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Group Corporate and Shared Services, Cllr Loyiso Masuku, and for Community Development, Cllr Lubabalo Magwentshu, joined the supporters on the bus who were waving flags and dancing. The final stop was at Maponya Mall where an excited audience welcomed the trophy. There was dancing, ululating, and cheering.
Cecelia Molokwane, Netball President of Africa, Jane Mbombi, the Johannesburg Netball President, and delegates from the netball fraternity attended the event.
The City of Joburg is supporting the Gauteng Provincial Government’s efforts to build excitement before the World Cup.
The City recently launched Netball Fridays, which is a curtain-raiser to the Netball World Cup. City officials have been urged to wear netball jerseys or T-shirts every Friday to promote the Netball World Cup.
Written by Brümilda Swartbooi
31/05/2023