The Mpumalanga Department of Education, along with the Department of Culture, Sport, and Recreation and different sports associations, launched the Wednesday School Sports Day Programme yesterday at the Themba Senamela Stadium.

Learners from different schools in the municipality and the MEC of Education, Mr Bonakele Majuba, and the MEC of Sports, Thandi Shongwe, also attended the event.

The programme is aimed to encourage all public schools to participate in the sports programme, which can develop functional and vibrant institutions of learning and centres for a healthy community lifestyle.

During the event, learners played different sporting codes to demonstrate and encourage other schools in Mpumalanga.

Mr Majuba spoke about the importance of school sports, “Such a product needs to be aligned with the legal framework that governs the day-to-day running of schools, and it must not be seen as an added responsibility but as an integral part of the schooling agenda. Our view is that school sports must happen naturally, especially in the poorest communities, so that it can serve as a vehicle for sports careers, as well as the creation and fostering of a healthy lifestyle.