Committed to providing an environment that allows for a vibrant student life through sporting and recreational activities, the University of Mpumalanga (UMP) launched its indigenous games initiative at the Mbombela Campus.
Zwelakhe Masilela of the UMP’s school of social sciences said the games will allow students to compete in teams or individually, at provincial and national level. The traditional indigenous play activities and games have been modernised and according to Masilela, over time, became an expression of local people, culture and social reality.

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“These games were largely ignored in historical and anthropological studies of South Africa’s indigenous people. The challenge was to resurrect and disseminate this rich history so that everyone may participate in traditional games. Sport and Recreation South Africa strives to conserve and promote this history for future generations through indigenous games,” he said.

The UMP Student Division has collaborated with the Department of Sport and Recreation to bring these historic games to the university. “We have the support from the Department of Sports and Recreation, which had assisted us with co-ordinating each sporting code. The games are now played by rules approved by the Department of Sports. Students participate in diketo, one of the 10 recognised indigenous games in South Africa,” said Masilela.

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The indigenous games have various benefits, including assisting students to forge careers in certain codes, as well as acting as co-ordinators and managers. These will open many opportunities for students. Some of the games introduced are dibeke, kho-kho, kgati, diketo and morabaraba.
“After the launch, the participants of dibeke and diketo competed at an indigenous games regional competition held at the Kamagugu Stadium. The participants was so much fun and also taught students how the games are played as they are interested in being part of the initiative, but do not know how to play.”

UMP participated in the Ehlanzeni Indigenous Games Competition Day after the launch. Five students were selected to represent the Ehlanzeni District at the provincial games to be held in Middelburg, for which a date is to be announced.