The soccer team of Vhembe District Municipality (VDM) received a warm hero's welcome at the council chamber on Tuesday, 10 June, following their gold-medal win at the Inter-Municipal Sports of South Africa (IMSSA) games.
The team, accompanied by Executive Mayor Freda Nkondo and councillors, was met with ululations, singing and applause as they celebrated their 8–7 victory over Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality in a tense penalty shoot-out during the tournament held in Sekhukhune from 6 to 7 June.
VDM was represented in six sporting codes: soccer, netball, volleyball, darts, pool, and table tennis. While the soccer team took top honours, the table tennis team also performed strongly, securing a bronze medal in the singles category. The strong showing underscored the district's sporting talent and commitment to employee wellness.
Mayor Nkondo congratulated the teams, saying the victory filled her with pride. "The best has come out of these players. They triumphed and brought home a trophy. We need to encourage everyone in the district municipality to participate in sport - not just because we are winners, but as part of our campaign against unhealthy lifestyles," she said.
Employee Wellness Officer Fraser Maake explained that IMSSA promotes physical health and teamwork across South African municipalities. Sixteen municipalities from Limpopo participated this year, with the aim of fostering wellness and productivity among staff. Maake said VDM's participation in six codes and its medal wins reflected a broader commitment to creating a healthier, more active workplace.