MTPA hosts fun run to educate learners
Almost all of these promising athletes, who participated with practised ease, were barefoot and cladded in their school uniform. "The MTPA's campaign is focused on educating learners living around Mpumalanga's nature reserves about the plight of rhino.
Although some showed up barefoot and others in tattered sandals and tennis shoes, more than 200 budding athletes took part in a family fun run on Saturday at Emjindini.
The five-kilometre race, which started at Ekuchathuzeni Primary School to Barberton Golf Club and back to the school, was organised by the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA).
The event formed part of MTPA’s environmental campaign and this year’s theme was, “Big or small, conservation needs all”.
Midred Mkhwanazi, MTPA social ecologist, said the impressive turnout of the learners from various schools in the Barberton circuit, was the most noticeable feature of the race this year. A total of 213 athletes participated.
Almost all of these promising athletes, who participated with practised ease, were barefoot and cladded in their school uniform.
“The MTPA’s campaign is focused on educating learners living around Mpumalanga’s nature reserves about the plight of rhino.
The aim is to reach 180 000 children across the province through staging various fun runs,” said Mkhwanazi.
Despite the five-kilometre race, the pupils also competed in various other activities with the emphasis on conservation. These included a quiz game, drama, poetry and conservation songs.
Winners
• Five-kilometre race (girls u/13): Petunia Nkosi, Nelly Chauke, Zihle Thwala and Petunia Mabuza.
• U/16 girls: Jabu Nkosi,
Nomvula Chiloane, Siphesihle Buys and Thembelihle Dhlamini.
• Boys u/13: Bongani Thwala, Siphesihle Solani and Victor Mahlobi.
• U/16 boys: Nkosinathi Mabuza, Joseph Nkosi, Banele
Masilela, Nkosinathi Ntimane and Nkos’ingphile
Ntimane.
• Music: Mhola Primary School.
• Drama: Mhola Primary School.
• Poetry: Sikhutsele Primary School.
• Quiz: Mhola Primary School.
