Hard Work pays off for Team Mpumalanga
PRETORIA - Team Mpumalanga finished sixth at this year’s National School Sports Championships at the back of strong performances from gymnasts.
Local gymnasts made a clean sweep of the category winning a total of 17 medals, including top prizes in rope skipping, aerobics pairs, gymstar and aerobics singles. Mpumalanga produced national champions in Samuel Mamabola (rope skipping), Linda Matenchi and Maria Senwamadi (aerobics pairs), Palesa Mate (aerobics singles), Tetelo Mashinini (rope skipping) and Sonto Mtshweni (gymnastar).
“We are delighted by the performance of the gymnasts, who have proven to be the best in the business in South Africa. Not only did they bring home medals, but they also went a long way to put down the marker, “says the department’s Sibongile Nkosi. According to Nkosi, the team’s good performance was achieved after the department, together with its partners such as Sasol, department of education and Mpumalanga Academy of Sport, organised a three-day training camp in Secunda. “After a poor showing in 2014 when the province finished eight, we wanted to come back stronger and better this year and we were able to do it,” says Nkosi adding that the province is equally proud of the team.
Team Mpumalanga also received medals in basketball, cricket, swimming, rugby and volleyball. Overall, Gauteng won the championships followed by KwaZulu Natal and Western Cape.