Defending champions panning for gold again
Gold panners from Mpumalanga account for most of Team South Africa.
The defending champs will return to the World Gold Panning Championships hungry for another gold medal this year. The week-long tournament is held in Navelgas, Spain, starting on Monday.
Panners from Mpumalanga account for most of Team South Africa’s members.
The provincial Department of Culture, Sport and Recreation (DCSR) says the entire team, with the exception of Gauteng’s Trevor John Kirsten and Derick Labuschagne, hail from the province.
The proficient men are Joseph Mashaka, Coenraad Vermaak and Vidhaan Singh; Elna Gundry and Stephen Barrow are veterans; Anja Cronjé, Nosipho Themba, Lesedi Thobejane and Epulence Sibiya are juniors; Adele Nysschen, Sendra Nsimba, Sherry Goodwin and Sonja Vermaak are proficient women; Pretty Mbuyane and Bright Malatjie will participate in the traditional category.
They left for Spain on Thursday, eager to repeat their feat of last year when they were the winners. DCSR MEC Norah Mahlangu-Mabena is accompanying them.
Spokesman for the department, Sibongile Nkosi says South Africa is the only African country to take part this year.
“We want another gold medal,” she says. “The sport also promotes social cohesion as the team comprises people of different races.”
The organisers say the final day is one of awards, closing ceremonies and goodbyes, and for planning to meet again in Placerville, California in September 2016.
