Tag: Gert Sibande Region

by Ntokozo Simelane

Prestigious Netball World Cup Trophy received with fanfare.

The prestigious Vitality Netball World Cup trophy was received with so much fanfare when it arrived at the Ermelo Sanlam Center, Ermelo on Tuesday 6 June 2023.  Netball teams from the Gert Sibande Region mobilised their players to come witness the historic moment of having a World Cup trophy in their mist. The trophy was highly protected by security personnel from the SAPS VIP Protection unit. The MEC and other VIP politicians were not as highly guarded as the trophy, but people did not care to notice.

On arrival, the trophy was brought in a silver briefcase with black trimmings resembling the ones seen in crime films. We were told that nobody else is allowed to touch the trophy except for the President of Netball South Africa, Miss Cecilia Molokwane. The trophy is highly respected, the President has to wear white gloves every time she touches it. She proceeded to take out the trophy from the briefcase and put it inside a glass for public viewing. The people took pictures of the trophy with enthusiasm.

There were also important dignitaries from netball and government posing in front of the trophy. The trophy was unveiled by the President of Netball South Africa, Miss Cecilia Molokwane, alongside the Honorable MEC Thandi Shongwe of the Department of Culture, Sport & Recreation in Mpumalanga. The acting Executive Mayor of Msukaligwa Local Municipality was present alongside political leaders from the Gert Sibande District Municipality. The President Miss Molokwane spoke to members of the media which included us and Ligwa FM based in Ermelo.

Africa is the only continent with four (4) teams in the tournament and that tells you we have arrived as Africans, and we are taking it.

Netball South Africa President Cecilia Molokwane placing the trophy down for public viewing at the Vitality Netball World Cup Trophy Tour in Ermelo. Only the champions will hold the trophy with bare hands.

Miss Molokwane said she was hopeful that the Proteas and the other African countries will do well at the World Cup next month. “We have the home crowd that will be cheering for the Proteas team, and we promise that we will not disappoint our fans.” The president asked the local supporters to also support the fellow African teams at the World Cup that include Malawi, Uganda and Zimbabwe. “I am rooting for the African countries to do well in the tournament. In 2019 at the World Cup the African teams finished in the top 8. I believe in Malawi and the She Cranes of Uganda. Africa is the only continent with four (4) teams in the tournament and that tells you we have arrived as Africans, and we are taking it. Look at Zimbabwe, they came from nowhere to reach the quarter finals.”

Letsatsi the official Netball World Cup 2023 mascot was also present at the tour. The name ‘Letsasti’ is a Sotho word which means the sun/day.

The MEC responsible for the Department of Culture, Sports & Recreation (DCSR) Thandi Shongwe said government is committed to the development of netball and fully support Proteas. She asked the Local Sport Councils to work with her provincial government in identifying areas that need sports infrastructure development. “The department is committed in supporting netball. We will continue to build netball courts to contribute to development of the sports. The Municipalities and Local Sport Councils must lead the processes of building sports infrastructure and come up with maintenance plans. This should help prevent building white elephants but usable infrastructure,” she concluded.

The Vitality Netball World Cup 2023 will be played on South Africa soil for the first time from the 28th of July 2023 to 6 August in Cape Town. Sixteen (16) teams will do battle for ten (10) days with the hope of becoming world champions. The games will be played in Cape Town but other cities like Durban will also get to host some of the matches.

by admin

Gert Sibande Region Playoffs to be held in football loving Mkhondo

The football loving community of Mkhondo will have the pleasure of watching the 2022/23 Gert Sibande Men Regional League Positional Playoffs to be played this coming Sunday 12 March 2023 at the famous at Mandla Magudulela Stadium, Thandukukhanya. These are the playoffs to determine the overall log standings between Gert Sibande Stream B1&B2. A place in the 2023/23 Mpumalanga Regional League Playoffs is also up for grabs.

The playoffs season came early season due to the fewer number of matches played by both streams, both streams had nine (9) teams each. The positional playoffs are very important to the players and clubs involved. The first match of will be between runners up of both streams playing for 3rd and 4th place followed by the winners of both streams.

The 3rd & 4th place playoff match between runners-up of both streams will play curtain raiser to the main match. The winner of the big match between stream B1 leaders and stream B2 leaders will not only become the overall champions but will qualify for the Mpumalanga Regional League Playoffs. It will be between Msukaligwa LFA side VOC Superstars FC vs Empuluzi Gunners FC from Empuluzi representing Chief Albert Luthuli LFA.

The two teams had the best assembled squad of players this season with VOCFM Super Stars profiting well. They had an unbeaten season winning 13 matches and drawing 3. They will be fancied to go all the way. Empuluzi Gunners FC had a tough season winning 13, drawing 1 and losing 2 matches. They won the league on goal difference against runners up Carolina Young Boys FC having collected 40 points each.

2. GS League Stream B logs as at 03 March 2023
How they finished. The Gert Sibande Men Regional League Stream B1&B2 log standings as at 25 Febraury 2023. The two streams will meet on Sunday 12 March 2023 at Mandla Magudulela Stadium, Thandukukhanya, eMkhondo.

Football fanatics should expect to have a true diski experience when the two sides meet in the battle for promotion to the ABC Motsepe League. In the 3rd & 4th place match the competitive Carolina Young Boys FC will take on Amsterdam United FC from Stream B1 in the first match of day. The winner of this match will finish the season in 3rd position.

For those not familiar with the Gert Sibande Men Regional League streams we shall give a small explanation. The current streams were introduced after the resumption of football during the Covid-19 pandemic. The Gert Sibande FA divided the then stream A &B which had 16 teams each and gave rise to Stream A1/A2&B1/B2.  Stream A is made up clubs from Lekwa LFA, Dipaleseng LFA, Govern Mbeki LFA & Pixley ka Isaka Seme LFA. Clubs from stream B come from Chief Albert Luthuli LFA, Msukaligwa LFA & Mkhondo LFA. This arrangement will probably be done away with in the 2023/24 season. There have been talks by the FA to have three (3) streams of 20 teams with Chief Albert Luthuli LFA getting its own stream. It has not been confirmed yet but what has been confirmed are the coming playoffs to be played in Mkhondo on Sunday. Alishe.

by admin

The playoffs season is heating up

The month of May is synonymous with the struggle of the working class in some parts of the world including South Africa which celebrates and have a holiday dedicated to workers on 1 May. In other parts of the world like Russia this day is associated with the birth of the illuminati. In amateur football this month signals the start of Promotional Playoffs for clubs playing league football. It is the ‘struggle’ for promotion to a higher league, be it the Local Promotional Playoffs, the Regional Promotional Playoffs, ABC Motsepe Provincial Playoffs or the Glad Africa Promotional Playoffs.

On Saturday 21 May 2022 six (6) football clubs will do battle for two available spots of the ABC Motsepe League 2022/23 season. The battle will be known as the Mpumalanga Men Regional League Promotional Playoffs set for Kanyamazane Stadium, Mbombela. The playoffs will be contested by clubs coming from the Gert Sibande Region, Nkangala Region and hosts eHlanzeni Region. Each region will be having two clubs.

Clubs that have been working hard at training and at matches get to be rewarded via promotion to the next level. All eyes will be at seasonal campaigners from the Gert Sibande Region Flymingo United FC who have been playing Regional League football since the 2009/10 season. Most clubs that will be part of this season’s playoffs are not that old which makes Flymingo United the oldest club. FC Zone Mavo will be looking at bouncing back to the élite’ league of amateur football after suffering relegation in the 2020/21 season.

This is probably the only time that everybody wish they own or be part of a club playing league football.

Flymingo United will be playing at Group B starting with Happy Dam FC from eHlanzeni Region at 9am followed by Middelburg United FC from Nkangala Region at 12pm. Happy Dam FC will then play Middelburg United FC at 3pm, by then they would know if they get promoted or not.

In Group A Sibange Young Bucks FC from eHlanzeni Region will lock horns with Genaro FC from Nkangala Region at 9am. Genaro FC from Nkangala will play another seasoned campaigners from the Gert Sibande’s FC Zone Mavo at 12pm. The last match of the group will be FC Zone Mavo vs Sibange Young Bucks FC from eHlanzeni at 3pm.

On paper promotion is easy, just win one match and draw one or win both. On the pitch it will be a totally different game influenced by many factors. The most feared factor of the playoffs after muthi use is the bribery of match officials. Let us hope both will not be a factor on Saturday 21 May 2022 at Kanyamazane Stadium. Let Fair Play be the order of the day and may the best teams get promotion. A win or promotion to any club not only brings joy to the football community but also the town which they come from. Promotion to the provincial league comes with sports tourism as different clubs from the province will be visiting every fortnight bringing along supporters to host club town. There is also a chance of getting to the last 32 of the Nedbank Cup, kuningi nje.

Flymingo United FC qualified for the Men Regional League Provincial Playoff after winning Stream B of the Gert Sibande Men Regional League. They will be at the provincial playoffs for the first time in their history looking for promotion to the ABC Motsepe League.

A lot of club owners will ask one question before any other when discussing joining a league at grass root level: “Ngizotholani ngokudlala iLigi?”(What will I get from playing in the League). The response by local football administrators is not always received well more so if money is not mentioned. The same question cannot be found during this time when the season reaches the Promotional Playoffs stage. This is probably the only time that everybody wish they own or be part of a club playing league football.

A win or promotion to any club not only brings joy to the football community but to the town which they come from. Promotion to the provincial league comes with sports tourism as different clubs from the province will be visiting every fortnight bringing along supporters to host club town. There is also a chance of getting to the last 32 of the Nedbank Cup, kuningi nje.

by admin

Six cup finals leave football fanatics gasping for more action.

Football fanatics of Mkhondo Local Municipality under the Gert Sibande Region of Mpumalanga were left gasping for more football after they were left in awe by six football finals in one day. The multi division finals of the annual football tournament Vumbuka Trust Cup took place on Sunday 21 November 2021 at the revamped Kempville Sport Grounds, Mkhondo. Memories were created, history made, tears shed and records set mirroring those of professional football idolized by young stars the world over.

It was the 8th edition finals of the tournament which first played with a single division way back in August 2013. The inaugural final was won by Comet Riders FC who defeated Madola United FC 3-1 to become the first ever champions. Back then the sponsorship was at R10 000, fifteen (15) promotion league clubs played the inaugural tournament. Many champions have been crowned since then and the sponsorship by Vumbuka Trust has reached a whooping R120 000. Since the beginning the prizes have been football kits, trophies, training equipment, match balls and cash for senior teams. This year’s cup tournament was no different in terms of rewards, also the level of football displayed had all the characteristics of the beautiful game of football found in the whole wide world.

Vumbuka Trust also awarded the winners of the Mkhondo Sub LFAs promotion league divisions who participated in the preliminary rounds. Each Mkhondo Sub LFA was allocated an amount of R10 000.
Atletico Madrid players receiving medals from Vumbuka Trust official Gomotso Mohale at the 9th Vumbuka Trust Cup prize giving held on Sunday 21 November 2021 at Kempville Stadium, Mkhondo.

The increase in sponsorship allowed the Mkhondo Local Football Association to add all affiliate clubs (68) to participate in the biggest tournament in the region. The senior clubs (Promotion League division) played a preliminary stage of the tournament in their areas before combining as champions in the semi final stages. Atletico Madrid FC from Ngema-Dirkiesdorp Sub LFA defeated PR Wanderers FC (Thandukukhanya Sub LFA) in the semi final. Sulphur Springs based club Black Lion FC defeated Bayern FC 3-1 (Simakade Sub LFA) to reach the final. Football fanatics will take time to forget the first ever final to produce seven (7) goals. Atletico Madrid FC walloped Black Lion FC 6-1 to clinch the first combined Vumbuka Trust Cup in the Promotion League division. Fanatics at the stadium were treated with kasie flavour moments which left them excited and asking for more diski.

The ladies division began with eleven teams which eliminated each other via knockout. New champions were crowned when Losta Stars Ladies FC finally got their hands on the trophy after years of trying. The SASOL League based side gave a tough lesson to Saul Mkhizeville Ladies with a 6-0 win in the final. The score line may not have been this bad had the Saul Mkhizeville Ladies keeper been on form. Three of the goals were gifts from the keeper which mostly left the fans in stitches.

Losta Stars Ladies FC celebrates winning the Vumbuka Trust Cup 2021 at a prize giving held on Sunday 21 November 2021 at Kempville Stadium, Mkhondo. Next to them are the Vumbuka Trust officials Miss Prudence Mokoena and Gomotso Mohale handing over their prize winnings.

The under 17 division final was a derby made in Mangosuthu section between Comet Riders and Mara Mara FC. The match was expected to produce fireworks but failed to live up to expectation. Both teams were extra careful in defence which led to a 0-0 score line at full time. Penalties had to decide the winner and under 17 champions. Mara Mara FC won 3-2 on penalties take the under 17 cup for the first time in their history.

Excitement in the boys faces as Mara Mara Under 17 boys celebrates winning the Vumbuka Trust Cup at a prize giving held on Sunday 21 November 2021 at Kempville Stadium, Mkhondo. Mara Mara won 3-2 on penalties against 2017 champions Comet Riders FC.

The under 15 division boys final was a highly contested affair which ended with a single goal win by Silver Stars FC. The goal was scored early in the 1st half. Silver Stars had to defend throughout the match against a determined First Touch FC. There was drama during the match caused by use of over age players which led to protests. First Touch lodged a protest against Silver Stars for using an over age player but Silver Stars responded with a protest of their own. The Mkhondo LFA disciplinary committee had to sit and discuss the case before the prize giving. The disciplinary committee found both teams guilty of using over age players and the case was thrown out because both teams failed to use a proper team list sheet. The match result was left as it was and the teams fined R100 each. Silver Stars then participated in the prize giving and received their trophy for becoming champions.

The under 15 girls’ division final was playing for the 2nd time in the history of the tournament. The 2021 edition had four teams playing round robin. The top two teams Mkhondo City Stars and Saul Mkhizeville Ladies played in the final. The final was more of a football lesson to newly formed Saul Mkhizeville Ladies club who lost 6-0 in the final against regular participants Mkhondo City Stars (formely known as Hintalo Stars). It was the first time that Saul Mkhizeville Ladies were involved in a big soccer tournament. Beside the big loss the team from Saul Mkhizeville showed signs of brilliance at defence but were overwhelmed by the Mkhondo City Stars girls who are used to playing football.

Mkhondo City Stars under 15 girls lifts the Vumbuka Trust Cup at a prize giving held on Sunday 21 November 2021 at Kempville Stadium, Mkhondo. The young girls defeated Saul Mkhizeville Ladies 6-0 in the final.

The under 13 boys’ division final was contested by clubs from Eziphunzini section Golden Stars vs Citizen FC. The highly contested affair finished 2-1 to Citizen FC. The match looked to be in favour of Golden Stars who scored first in the 1st half, at the time Citizen FC was playing with one player short. Tables turned when Citizen fielded the additional player. They equalised shortly after the second half before adding the winner in a short space of time to take the lead. Golden Stars pushed with everything hoping to get the equaliser but the Citizen defence stayed solid until the end.

The 2021 winners of Vumbuka Trust Cup received their prizes on the same day of the tournament. All the winners from the development leagues (U13, U15, & U17) received their prizes for becoming champions. The champions received brand new soccer jerseys, a trophy, medals and match balls as prizes for winning the tournament. The runners up received silver medals, training equipment and match balls, no cash prize was issued to the junior teams. The only junior teams that received cash prizes was that of the Under 15 girls division. The champions received R2500 cash, a new soccer kit, gold medals and a trophy. The runners up receive a cool R1500 cash. The cash given to the winners is aimed at encouraging the development coaches to work with young girls. The Vumbuka Trust trustees insisted that girls’ football be given all the support with the aim of getting more girls to play soccer.

Silver Stars under 15 boys were the last to lift the Vumbuka Trust Cup after being involved in a protest action after the final against First Touch FC on Sunday 21 November 2021 at Kempville Stadium, Mkhondo. The club won the cup for the first time in their history.

The champions of the ladies division walked away with R4000 cash, a new kit, gold medals, a trophy and match balls for becoming champions. The runners up received R3000 cash, a soccer kit, silver medals and match balls. The men division received the same prizes as that of the ladies except that the champions in men received R5000. The runners up received R3000, a junior kit, silver medals and match balls. The cash prizes were the same as that of the ladies with just a R1000 difference, something that the trustees of Vumbuka Trust have been advocating to the Mkhondo LFA on behalf of ladies football.

Vumbuka Trust also awarded the winners of the Mkhondo Sub LFAs promotion league divisions who participated in the preliminary rounds. Each Mkhondo Sub LFA was allocated an amount of R10 000 which was divided to make up the prizes for the five (5) Sub LFA tournaments. The Sub LFA winners were as follows:

  • Amsterdam Sub LFA

1st Arsenal FC (Champs) – R5 000; 2nd: Mswenkofontein FC – R3 000; 3rd: Amabhubesi FC – R1000

  • Ngema-Dirkiesdorp Sub LFA

1st Atletico Madrid FC – R5 000; 2nd Mandela Cross FC – R3000; 3rd HiFi FC – R1 000

  • Simakade Sub LFA

1st Bayern FC – R5 000; 2nd Juventus FC – R3 000; 3rd Amapansula FC – R1 000

  • Siyethemba Sub LFA – Black Lion FC

1st Black Lion FC – R5 000; 2nd SS Madrid FC – R3 000; 3rd Man FC – R1 000

  • Thandukukhanya Sub LFA

1st PR Wanderers FC – R5 000; 2nd Ajax Sweepers FC – R3 000; 3rd India Kilo FC – R 1000

by Ntokozo Simelane

Vumbuka Trust Cup wraps up this weekend

Cup tournaments are always full of excitement, entertainment and drama. It matters not if the tournament is played by professional athletes or amateurs. Since the beginning of October 2021 the Vumbuka Trust Cup has been dishing delicious football entertainment to football fanatics in Mkhondo. The biggest cup tournament in the Gert Sibande Region of Mpumalanga wraps up this weekend on Sunday 21 November 2021 where six (6) divisions will be playing the finals from 8am.

The football pitch is where the fun has been found, while the boardroom has been filled with drama coming from the pitch. The fun is provided through matches coming from six football divisions of the Mkhondo Local Football Association: U13, U15, U17, U15 girls, Ladies and Mkhondo Promotion League. A record number of clubs entered to play this year’s tournament. This increase was due to the addition of clubs from other Sub LFAs affiliated under the Mkhondo Local Football Association. Apart from the original hosts Thandukukhanya Sub LFA the association added Amsterdam, Ngema-Dirkiesdorp, Siyethemba Sulphur Springs and the newly established Simakade Sub LFA. Each Sub LFA played an elimination round producing their own champions.

The development teams which included the boys (under 13, U15 & U17) played the majority of matches during the school holidays. The under 13 final is not yet decided due to a dispute between Thandolokukhanya FC vs Citizen FC which the Mkhondo LFA has ruled to be replayed on Saturday 20 November 2021. The winner will face Golden Stars FC in the final. The under 15 division will be contested by Silver Stars FC vs First Touch FC while the under 17 division final will be between Mangosuthu rivals Mara Mara vs Comet Riders FC.

The total sponsorship amounts to a whooping R120 000 from the sponsors Vumbuka Trust, a BBBEE partner at TWK. Previously the prizes have included playing equipment for all the finalists and this year the same is expected.
Vumbuka Trust Cup 2021 Ladies division. Losta Stars Ladies FC 0 Diski Queens 0. Losta Stars Ladies FC won the semi final match 6-5 on penalties on Saturday 30 October 2021 at Masenkeni Stadium, Thandukukhanya. The final will be contested by Losta Stars Ladies vs Saul Mkhizeville Ladies on Sunday 21 November 2021.

The girls under 15 had the same number of teams as the 2019 edition i.e. four teams. They played a round robin format leaving the top two teams Mkhondo City Stars vs Saul Mkhizeville Ladies to contest the final. Eleven Stars Ladies and Mara Mara Ladies finished on 3rd and 4th positions.

The senior ladies division featured eleven (11) teams playing a knockout round. The final will be contested by SASOL League side Losta Stars Ladies against newly formed Saul Mkhizeville Ladies. The Saul Mkhizeville Ladies are the underdogs but are expected to put up a brave fight on Sunday against 2019 runners-up Losta Stars Ladies FC.

The Sub LFA champions were involved in the semi finals on Sunday 14 November 2021 at Kempville Stadium. Blck Luion FC from Sulphur Springs will contest the final against Atletico Madrid FC from eMabola at the main finale at 3pm. The all division finale will begin with the Under 13 final at 8am followed by Under 15 girls, Under 15 boys, Under 17 boys, Ladies final and the Promotion League final at 3pm on Sunday 21 November 2021 at Kempville Stadium, Mkhondo. Winners will then be crowned after the seniors final with prizes to be awarded to the champions and runners-up.

The total sponsorship amounts to a whooping R120 000 from the sponsors Vumbuka Trust, a BBBEE partner at TWK. Previously the prizes have included playing equipment for all the finalists and this year the same is expected. The senior ladies and male teams previously received playing equipment and cash as prizes. Each division will receive a champion trophy, and Gold medals while the runners up receive silver medals.