The Deputy Minister of Sport, Art and Culture, Nocawe Mafu, made a commitment to the residents of Bungeni and nearby areas that her department would construct a multi-purpose sports court in the area. Ms Mafu made this announcement during the multi-sectoral service delivery and social cohesion imbizo programme held at Bungeni stadium on Friday, 17 March.
Hundreds of residents from Bungeni village and more than 14 sub-villages attended the three-day event organised by the Bungeni Foundation (BGF) from 15 to 17 March. Limpopo's MEC for Sport, Art, and Culture, Ms Nakedi Kekana, and other dignitaries were among the attendees.
When Deputy Minister Mafu first visited the village in September last year, Hosi Given Bungeni and the local leadership highlighted a need to improve the socio-economic situation of the village and the nearby areas.
Mafu said the multi-purpose sports court project should have been started already but was delayed because of rain. "The sports court would [accommodate] soccer, netball, volleyball, basketball and tennis. We also want to bring an agriculture project and we are committed to also building a library. We have committed to revamping the chief of the Great Hosi Bungeni's grave, because when people come here, they should be able to point out where the elders of this area are," she said. Activities such as xibelani dancers, xiguba tshigombela, and praise poets delighted the crowds during last week's imbizo.
Mr Collen Mashawana, founder of the Collen Mashawana Foundation, said that he believed sports could play a significant role in learning through discipline. "We are honoured to have been a part of such an important occasion and will continue to look for innovative solutions that can bring positive change for our communities," he said.
Hosi Bungeni said that for rural villages such as Bungeni, receiving the necessary support from the government, in partnership with other private sectors, was long overdue. "We are excited and grateful because this is a breakthrough. The construction of two houses (for poor families) is also a relief and a blessing for potential recipients, since they previously could not benefit from RDP houses from the Department of Human Settlements," he said.