Deputy Minister Peace Mabe hands over combi court to boost sport and patriotism in Soweto

A new combi court has been unveiled at Vulamazibuko Primary School in Soweto as part of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture’s ministerial outreach programme.

It is aimed at expanding access to sports facilities while promoting patriotism and future opportunities for young people.

The Deputy Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Peace Mabe, officially handed over the new combi court to learners at Vulamazibuko Primary School in Soweto on July 24.

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The initiative seeks to improve access to quality sports infrastructure in disadvantaged communities while creating opportunities for young people to discover and develop their sporting talent.

The deputy minister was warmly welcomed by hundreds of learners waving South African flags and cheering as she and other guests arrived for the ceremony.

Before the official handover, Mabe engaged learners in a question-and-answer session about the meaning of the colours of the South African flag. Learners who answered correctly received South African-themed socks as prizes.

The session was preceded by a patriotic song performed by the learners after the deputy minister led by example.

Mabe told those gathered that the department has declared Fridays as Patriotic Fridays.

“We have declared Friday as Patriotic Friday for one simple reason, because this year marks 30 years of the signing of our Constitution. We visit schools, and we talk about patriotism issues,” she said.

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She encouraged learners to view sport, arts and culture as viable career paths rather than believing that only traditional professions offer success.

“From the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, we encourage young people to consider sport, arts and culture as a first choice of career. We believe that we can’t all be accountants and pilots,” she said.

Mabe added that the department is committed to ensuring that children from poor and disadvantaged communities have the same opportunities as those from more affluent backgrounds.

She said the department is dedicated to identifying talented children from underprivileged communities and giving them access to quality facilities so they can compete on an equal footing with children from more developed areas and countries.

Also attending the unveiling ceremony were Gauteng MEC for Finance and Economic Development Lebogang Maile and ward councillor Sthembiso Mashinini, who both showed their support for the project and the learners.

Vulamazibuko Primary School principal Henry Matemane expressed his gratitude to the deputy minister and the guests for investing in the future of the school’s learners. He thanked the department for implementing a project that will benefit generations of children.

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The combi court is expected to provide learners with a modern facility where they can participate in a variety of sporting codes and develop their skills.