Jukskei enthusiasts gather in Margate
The traditional South African folk sport involves players throwing wooden pins (skeis) at a fixed wooden peg (pen) planted in a sandpit.
Jukskei fans gathered at the Suidkus Jukskei Club in Margate on October 17.
Organised by the Oribi Voortrekkers’ Afrikaans Youth Organisation, locals enjoyed a weekend of learning and participating in activities that celebrated South African traditions while introducing young people to the sport.
Jukskei is a traditional South African folk sport where players throw wooden pins (skeis) at a fixed wooden peg (pen) planted in a sandpit.
The Voortrekker youth (known as Verkenners, Penkoppe en Drawwertjies) had the opportunity to learn and play the folk sport, which dates back to the 1730s.
Ilvy van Tonder from Oribi Voortrekkers said Jukskei is popular among young people. “Jukskei in South Africa is played at schools, clubs and provincial levels, and an annual tournament is held in Kroonstad in the Free State. Last Saturday’s event was held in collaboration with the Suidkus Jukskei Klub in Margate, with special guests from Durban, namely the KZN South African Jukskei players who have earned their South African colours and have competed at national and international levels,” said Ilvy.
The weekend also coincided with Youth on the Air (YOTA), a global amateur radio initiative that encourages young people to discover and experience amateur radio. In collaboration with the Hibiscus Coast Amateur Radio Club, the Voortrekker youth were introduced to the fascinating world of radio communication.
“Through hands-on activities with real radio equipment, the youth learned about radio frequencies, call signs, signal propagation and communicating via amateur radio. These practical experiences helped develop their technical knowledge, communication skills, confidence and teamwork. The radio activities provided an opportunity for the youth to explore technology beyond the classroom while connecting with a worldwide community of young radio enthusiasts,” added Ilvy.
For more information, contact Morné Janse van Vuuren on 076-044-3358 or email oribi@voortrekkers.co.za
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