Sport and Recreation South Africa’s 13th Indigenous Games Festival, which was held from 23 to 28 September 2018 in the township of Seshego, just outside Polokwane in the Limpopo Province, instilled a sense of belonging to our young people. The fact that the festival took place during a time when the country was celebrating its diverse heritage is no coincidence. The festival was tailored to not only promote social cohesion and nation building, but to also celebrate the country’s rich history, heritage and culture.
The indigenous games had learners from all nine provinces participating in under-profiled sporting codes, namely kgati, kho-kho and morabaraba. Decked out in their respective traditional clothing, learners participating in kgati skipped rope to the soothing rhythm of indigenous songs; whilst learners playing kho-kho defied the Limpopo heat in the hopes of coming out tops in this game of high-level physical fitness, stamina and speed. Learners who excel at strategic and tactical exercises participated in a duel of the minds to determine this year’s champion at morabaraba – a traditional board game that is played extensively throughout Africa and Asia. Other games that were played at the competition included ncuva, jukskei, driestokkies, dibeke, diketo and intonga.
An interesting aspect of these indigenous games is that they are neither gender nor age specific. They also require minimal resources – which make them a perfect vehicle in ensuring that Physical Education constitutes an integral component of the holistic education of learners, most especially in the Foundation Phase where the development of the learner’s gross and fine motor skills and perceptual development is fundamental. Schools are encouraged to incorporate indigenous games in their Physical Education as play, movement, games and sport to contribute to developing positive attitudes and values in learners.
As Minister of Sport and Recreation South Africa, Ms Thokozile Xasa, mentioned, it is important that we “educate, remind and affirm our cultural pride as South Africans”. What better way to instil this national pride in our learners than letting them learn through play?