Siya Kolisi’s monstrous, brutal and beautiful pack of Springbok forwards laid a foundation, not only for winning a rugby game, but for lifting a nation and giving hope to a country in Yokohama on Saturday. The Springboks are world champions and perhaps Madiba’s dream of a Rainbow Nation is alive again because of what happened in 80 intense minutes of near-perfect rugby from the Springboks.
‘I have never seen South Africa like this. We were playing for the people back home. We can achieve anything if we work together as one.’
– Siya Kolisi, Springbok rugby captain, Yokohama Japan, 2 November 2019
South Africa 32, England 12. That number is etched in history, even now. The underdogs bit the bulldog as the Springboks swept to a deserved third world title with a performance for the ages.
Two tries from dazzling wings Makazole Mapimpi and Cheslin Kolbe in the crucial final quarter, and eight kicks and 22 points from the boot of flyhalf Handré Pollard, tells one story.
But the narratives in this game were numerous and varied. Kolisi’s own story, from poverty to the pinnacle of world rugby, is a metaphor for where these Springboks were just 20 months ago, and where they are are today.
Then, they were an impoverished team, losing by record margins and to all opponents. There seemed to be no hope, only more despair in the future. But things changed under coach Rassie Erasmus and captain Kolisi, who was named as skipper in June 2018.
All those doubts and raised eyebrows are gone after Erasmus said the Boks would lose several more times in pursuit of a greater goal. The goal was winning the Webb Ellis Cup, but to get there the Boks needed to go through several steps. There were no shortcuts, there was no instant repair.
And in Yokohama on Saturday, all the angst and pain of seven losses in 14 Tests in 2018 as Erasmus rebuilt, not just a team, but an entire rugby legacy, were all worth it.
Their record in 2019 reads: Played 12, won 10, lost one, drew one, Rugby Championship winners and Rugby World Cup 2019 champions.
For 80 minutes on a perfect night in the Japanese prefecture, England were dismantled, manhandled, emasculated and finally shredded by a team that played with belief, power and furious control under impossible pressure.
How the Boks dealt with the pressure so well is a credit to Erasmus, Kolisi and the rest of the leadership group. It’s testament to a team that believed in a plan and in each other and worked tirelessly to achieve their objective.
There were no shortcuts and there was no luck. The Springboks are worthy world champions – as the 20-point winning margin, the joint-biggest in a Rugby World Cup final, attests.
From the passionate rendition of the anthem to the stirring opening minute in which the Boks swamped England from the kick-off, to South Africa’s first penalty 30 seconds later, England were on the back foot from the off.
The maligned Willie le Roux was towering under the high ball. Mapimpi and Kolbe equally so, while they also showed that they only needed one opportunity to turn the game South Africa’s way.
Not so long ago Kolisi, Mapimpi, Lukhanyo Am and Kolbe were not allowed to play for the Springboks because of their skin colour. On Saturday, they were starring in a World Cup final in Japan as part of a multicultural team.
South Africa, for all its faults and problems, is the most resilient and forgiving of places. The Springboks of 2019 are an embodiment of the best of the country, and Kolisi is at its heart.
“I have never seen South Africa like this. We were playing for the people back home. We can achieve anything if we work together as one,” Kolisi said after the match.
“It was like in ‘95. So many challenges we have (in South Africa). The coach told us we are not playing for ourselves, we were playing for the people back home.”
After resoundingly beating the All Blacks in the semi-final, England didn’t show the swagger they oozed in that game – because they weren’t allowed any breathing space.
The Boks defence swamped them, and the South African scrum ground the Roses pack into the Middle Ages. At times contact was savage – in a legal way – and both sides lost players to injury.
England lost tighthead Kyle Sinckler in the third minute to concussion and was knocked out cold hitting Mapimpi’s hip.
Later in the first half the Boks lost hooker Bongi Mbonambi to a similar injury as he staggered from the field after stopping the marauding Billy Vunipola. Lood de Jager dislocated his shoulder in the same sequence of play.
Those two Bok injuries occurred around the half-hour mark, as the Boks repelled more than 12 phases of relentless England pressure on their line. It was the only time in the match England came close to scoring. As it was they had to settle for three points from the kicking tee, which was a moral victory for the Boks.
Pollard missed that first-minute penalty but any suggestion that it was a bad omen for the game was rapidly dispelled. The Boks surprised England by playing with more width, by kicking less from halfback Faf de Klerk and more from wider areas such as Le Roux at first receiver.
A confused England were rattled. Vunipola, the Billy variety, threw a wild pass over the head of flyhalf George Ford inside his 22 early on. Minutes later scrumhalf Ben Youngs passed directly into touch when De Klerk shot up out of defence to take away his passing option to wing Anthony Watson.
The Boks were asking questions and England didn’t have the answers. No 8 Duane Vermeulen was immense in contact, winning the gainline battle almost single-handedly, and dominating the breakdowns. He was deservedly named man-of-the-match.
England’s much vaunted back row pair of Tom Curry and Sam Underhill suddenly looked like the inexperienced duo they are.
Vermeulen, with help from Malcolm Marx and Kolisi, ensured that England gained no momentum from rucks. It was the oldest rugby cliché in the book – lose the collision battle and lose the match. England were bullied and broken in contact.
With the Roses scrum in disarray, the Boks turned the screw. The scrum penalties piled up and Pollard found his radar, landing four first half penalties while Farrell put over two for England.
After the break England coach Eddie Jones changed tactics and asked his team to run the Boks ragged. In one passage of play, England won a lineout on halfway, went left and right through 10 phases before relentless Bok pressure forced a handling error five metres inside England’s half.
From the ensuing scrum the Boks won a fourth scrum penalty and Pollard smashed it over. The new England plan wasn’t going to work either.
Just as it seemed the Boks were taking a complete stranglehold on the match, England had a brief glimpse of hope. Two England penalties in quick succession brought the score to 15-9. There was only a converted try in it.
But the Boks soon moved back into England’s half thanks to a raking kick from Le Roux and they won another penalty. Pollard struck it over. It was the first time the Boks had scored more than 15 points in a Rugby Word Cup final. Their previous two finals in 1995 and 2007 had yielded winning scored of 15-12 and 15-6.
From the restart, though, the Boks strayed offsides and Farrell landed a fourth penalty. With tension mounting and the Boks not making the most of their all-round superiority on the scoreboard, the only anxious people were supporters. The players remained composed. 4
They ensured England remained pinned back and when Mapimpi finished off a stunning blindside move involving Marx and the impressive Am to score the Boks’ first-ever Rugby World Cup final try, the contest was over. It was his sixth try of the tournament.
England were broken and stunned. The Boks, though, were ruthless and hungry. Kolbe, in typical fashion, carved out a try by jinking past hapless defenders and scorching the cover defence for the coup de grace of the 2019 coupe du monde. DM
South Africa's top young surfers between the age of 10 - 16 gathered in Mossel Bay for the Importers Coffee Junior Classic held at the Point on the weekend of 12 and 13 October 2019.
The weather and sea conditions played along and a more scenic setting for such a surfing event will be hard to find.
The only Mossel Bay surfer who managed to score against the fierce competition is local champ Wulf Erhardt who came third in the U14 Boys division. Congratulations!
Here are the official results and photos of the event on Surfing SA's Facebook page:
Importers Coffee Junior Classic in Mossel Bay on Sunday
Reilly Mare and Caroline Brown win the premier U16 titles at the Importers Coffee Junior Classic in Mossel Bay.
Sunday October 13th 2019: Reilly Mare of East London and Caroline Brown of Hout Bay won the U16 Boys and U16 Girls titles respectively at the 2019 edition of the Importers Coffee Junior Classic which was completed in good 3 foot surf at Inner Pool in Mossel Bay today.
These were first time 3A Rated SAST victories for both Mare and Brown.
Mare beat the in form Brad Scott of Kommetjie into second place. Scott, who leaves for the ISA World Junior Championships California with the SA Junior team next Sunday, finished ahead of Nathan Plomaritis of Cape St Francis and Nate Spalding of Durban who were third and fourth respectively.
U16 Girls Champion, Brown, is also a member of the SA Junior Team which will compete in California and her confidence going into the World Championships is sure to have been boosted by this victory. Katie Winter was second ahead of fellow Kommetjie surfers Sarah Scott and Leila Steytler.
Nathan Plomaritis won the U14 Boys final beating fellow Cape St Francis surfer Joel Dace into second place. Mossel Bay local Wulf Erhardt was third and River Gericke of the Wilderness came fourth.
2019 SA U14 Champion Sarah Scott won this division, beating Maya Figl of Cape Town into second place. Olivia Winter of Kommetjie was third, SA U12 Champion Anastasia Venter came fourth with another U12,Yannah Figl, taking fifth spot.
In the U12 Boys Final Rory Dace of Cape St Francis beat Kommetjie surfers Ryan Schoon and Levi Kolnik into second and third respectively. Local surfer, Jesse Olivier was fourth.
The 3A Rated SA Surf Tour (SAST) Importers Coffee Junior Classic brought a hugely successful 2019 SA Surf Tour contest season to a close in fine style.
Photos of today’s surfing are posted on the Surfing South Africa facebook page – Surfing SA.
Surfing South Africa is the recognised governing body for the sport in South Africa and is a member of the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC), the African Surfing Confederation (ASC) and the International Surfing Association (ISA).
This is how we reported on the event on our Facebook page :
OK, the surfing hype at the Point is actually The Boss of Moss event (or so we were told) when the top junior surfers from all surfing spots in sunny South Africa flock to Mossel Bay to test their skills against the surf.
We saw 12 year olds whose boards dwarf them, but in the swell, they stood taller than a tree.
The Importers Coffee Junior Classic surfing event is held over two days and although Mossel Bay's young surfers were mostly outshined by their competitors from Kommetjie, Hout Bay and Cape St Francis, local champ Wulf Erhardt is still in the running.
These youngsters - aged 10 to 16 - are a sight to behold in the surf and must have amphibian blood . . . ;-)
If you don't know the surfing lingo or techniques, it's safer to revert to the official report - we actually just wanted to showcase Mossel Bay's beauty and bliss and the great vibe such an event brings to town! We include 4 action pics from Surfing SA's Facebook page - guess which 4? ;-)
South African Junior Team member Brad Scott of Kommetjie was the star on Day One of the Importers Coffee Junior Classic, posting an impressive 17,25 heat score in his U16 Quarter Final.
The 3A Rated SA Surf Tour event got under way in good 3 foot surf at Inner Pool, Mossel Bay this morning.
Scott advanced to the second semi-final where he will face Nate Spalding of Durban and Mossel Bay local, Wulf Erhardt.
The first semi-final includes Nathan Plomaritis of Cape St Francis, Luke Van Wyk of Kommetjie and Reilly Mare of East London. The semi-finals and final of this division will be held tomorrow (Sunday).
Sarah Scott, Brad’s sister and recently crowned South African U14 Girls Champion, advanced to the U16 Girls final where she meets SA team member Caroline Brown of Hout Bay and fellow Kommetjie surfers, Leila Steytler and Katie Winter.
The U14 Boys finalists are River Gericke of the Wilderness, Nathan Plomaritis, Wulf Erhardt and Joel Dace of Cape St Francis and the U12 final is made up of Kommetjie surfers Levi Kolnik and Ryan Schoon, Jesse Olivier of George and Rory Dace of Cape St Francis.
The 3A Rated SA Surf Tour (SAST) Importers Coffee Junior Classic will bring the 2019 Surfing South Africa contest season to a close in Mossel Bay with two semi-finals and five finals tomorrow (Sunday).To access the wave and heat scores in real time during the final day of the event using mobile devices, PC’s or laptops go to www.liveheats.com/surfingsouthafrica
Photos of today’s surfing will be posted on the Surfing South Africa facebook page – Surfing SA.
Surfing South Africa is the recognised governing body for the sport in South Africa and is a member of the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC), the African Surfing Confederation (ASC) and the International Surfing Association (ISA).
Oh BOY, today was one of those diamond days in the Bay when everybody wants to live in Mossel Bay!
It was a surfer's day at the Point and after watching some of those youngsters riding the waves . . . and watching the spectators, we concluded that surfers are actually the happiest, healthiest, fittest and most balanced people in the world . . . !
After all, you need to be FIT to survive for hours in those swells, you need to eat healthy to have the energy and you need balance to stay on those boards . . . and courage and tenacity to get back on every time you are dumped. But most of all, they LOVE what they do and it shows . . . and it's infectious!
Maybe if we all became surfers the world will be a much better place . . . we will ALL be fit, healthy, well-built, happy and have no time, energy or need for decadent habits, crime of greed . . . and we definitely will look after the ocean! ;-)
See for yourself what a happy vibe a surfing competition brings to town . . .
(WE have NO idea who all these people are, we just got carried away by the beauty and benevolence!) ;-)
More info to follow . . . gone surfing! ;-)
* Come support the young surfers and watch the finals of the 3A Rated SA Surf Tour (SAST) Importers Coffee Junior Classic today (Sunday 13 October 2019) when the top-surfers compete in two semi-finals and five finals at the Point. To access the wave and heat scores in real time during the final day of the event using mobile devices, PC’s or laptops go to www.liveheats.com/surfingsouthafrica
Supreme Court of Appeal Upholds Prior Rulings Regarding Mossel Bay Yacht Club
Transnet National Ports Authority’s (TNPA) Port of Mossel Bay has welcomed the judgment by the Supreme Court of Appeal to dismiss with costs an appeal by the Mossel Bay Yacht and Boat Club (MBYBC) against the judgments handed down by the Western Cape High Court in favour of TNPA on two occasions, in the MBYBC’s Review Application.
Port of Mossel Bay Port Manager, Shadrack Tshikalange, said: “While this is a landmark victory for TNPA, there remains the Eviction Application and the Ports Regulator complaint which were stayed pending the finalisation of this Review Application. Now that the latter has been finalised, TNPA’s external attorneys have been briefed to pursue the recovery of TNPA’s legal costs and to finalise the remaining matters.”
In May 2018 TNPA issued a notice to the MBYBC to vacate its port premises by the end of May 2018. This was in accordance with the terms of a High Court order dated 30 April 2018 which dismissed the application by MBYBC to review and set aside the lease application awarded by TNPA to successor lessee Mossel Bay Waterfront Pty Ltd, a Mossel Bay based, woman-owned micro-enterprise, in October 2016.
Judge AJ Langa in his High Court judgment had said: “Judged against the values of fairness, equitableness, transparency, competitiveness and effectiveness, the third respondent’s [Mossel Bay Waterfront] tender complies with all the specifications and conditions of tender as set out in the contract documents.”
He found that the tender was neither unreasonable nor irrational and that the Mossel Bay Waterfront’s bid was fully compliant with the terms of the lease.
MBYBC had occupied premises within the port on a lease agreement which continued on a month to month basis by agreement until a new tender was advertised for the premises in August 2016. MBYBC and Mossel Bay Waterfront were the only contesting bidders for the new tender which was subsequently awarded to Mossel Bay Waterfront.
The High Court found that points awarded in the tender process to Mossel Bay Waterfront were justified for new skills development, job creation and/or preservation, small business promotion and rural / community development and regional integration.
As ports landlord, TNPA operates within a legislative and regulatory environment created by the National Ports Act No.12 of 2005. This requires the Authority to follow a public process for service providers looking to provide port services and facilities.
Tshikalange said the finalisation of this protracted process would enable the port and the new lessee – through its strong business model – to provide all members of society with an equal opportunity to participate in port activities. This is in line with TNPA’s Smart People’s Ports vision, which includes promoting greater public access and ensuring a vibrant port system that connects local communities to port activities.
TNPA is also working closely with the Mossel Bay Municipality and Mossel Bay Tourism to develop the Port of Mossel Bay as a tourist port. “The Mossel Bay Waterfront will help to make the Port of Mossel Bay an even bigger attraction on this beautiful coastline, with a mixed-use waterfront that could include retail, commercial and industrial facilities,” said Tshikalange.
Also read underneath the insightful article about Portnet's influence on sailing by Richard Crockett in Sailing Magazine:
Die seiljag-en-bootklub op Mosselbaai gaan sy deure sluit.
Dit volg nadat die appèlhof in Bloemfontein die klub se appèlaansoek teen twee vorige uitsprake van die hooggeregshof in Kaapstad – ten gunste van die Transnet Nasionale Hawe-owerheid (TNPA) en die Mosselbaai-hawe – in die klub se hersieningsaansoek met koste van die hand gewys het.
Die TNPA het in Mei ’n kennisgewing aan die klub gerig dat hy sy perseel in die Mosselbaaihawe teen einde Mei 2019 moet ontruim. Dit was ingevolge ’n hooggeregshofbevel op 30 April waarin ’n aansoek van die klub van die hand gewys is om die huurooreenkoms wat in 2016 deur die TNPA met die maatskappy Mossel Bay Waterfront Edms. Bpk. aangegaan is, te hersien en tersyde te stel.
Die TNPA het vroeër in ’n verklaring gesê die klub het onder meer die perseel van maand tot maand gehuur totdat ’n nuwe tender in Augustus 2016 vir die perseel geadverteer is. Die klub en die Mossel Bay Waterfront-maatskappy was die enigstes wat vir die tender gebie het. Die tender is aan Mossel Bay Waterfront toegeken. Rob Holden, kommandeur van die Mosselbaaise seiljag-en-bootklub, sê die klub gaan sluit.
“Ons het al die opsies oorweeg, maar daar is niks wat ons verder kan doen nie.” Die klub hoop om die perseel teen Februarie te ontruim. Die TNPA het gesê hy werk saam met die Mosselbaaise munisipaliteit en Mosselbaai Toerisme om die hawe in ’n toeristebestemming te ontwikkel.
AN UNEASY FEELING
by Richard Crockett
I have followed the ‘politics’ of sailing in this country for many years now, especially the role our various State Owned Entities and other government bodies that affect our sport – that being recreational boating, and in my case, specifically recreational sailing.
My uneasiness comes from the fact that Transnet, and more specifically TNPA (Transnet National Ports Authority), appears to have placed a target on the back of recreational boating, and is slowly but surely shooting arrows at those targets – and killing them off one by one!
TNPA has evicted the Algoa Bay Yacht Club from its premises, the very premises it built and developed over a 60 year period with its own members money. Devastated by a fire some years ago the membership rallied and the facility was rebuilt. Today the ABYC building is vacant, and apparently about to be taken over by a cleaning business to which the TNPA have given a lease without compensating the Club for the premises it developed solely with members money.
Mossel Bay Yacht & Boat Club
The Mossel Bay Yacht & Boat Club has been given notice to vacate its premises at the end of this month too, and undoubtedly without compensation either.
Both the above Clubs were taken to court by the TNPA.
In Zululand, and specifically Richards Bay, boating clubs and organisations are under threat from the City of uMhlathuze who want to evict the following clubs: Richards Bay Ski-Boat Club Meerensee Boat Club Zululand Yacht Club Richards Bay Sea Scouts Richards Bay Undersea Club Zululand Multi-Sports Club National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI)
Zululand Yacht Club
Some of the clubs instituted legal proceedings by way of interdict and action against the municipality to resist the proposed evictions, after which an agreement was reached to postpone the application indefinitely pending the outcome of the action challenging the grounds for the evictions. In the interim, the municipality has undertaken to suspend all further action against the clubs.
That’s no comfort for any of these Clubs, nor it’s members and the broader boating community as a whole.
It also has to put the tenure of all yacht, boating and sporting clubs on Transnet land around the country under threat.
Could the NSRI be under threat too? Judging by what is happening in Richards Bay, that too seems possible!
Our government has no maritime rescue service and relies on the NSRI to provide that service – yet it may well evict the very people who provide such a valuable service, and at little or no cost to the Government as the NSRI raise their own operational funds through public donations and bequests.
The TNPA should quite frankly be ashamed of themselves.
An overview of what Transnet is all about, and taken word for word from their website in the closing few paragraphs, says:
“As a state-owned company, Transnet continues to leave an indelible mark on the lives of all South Africans. With a geographical footprint that covers our entire country, Transnet is inextricably involved in all aspects of life in South Africa. As such, we ensure that we play a pivotal role in enhancing the quality of life in all areas we operate. This extends not just to our employees, but to communities and environments as well. Through the Transnet Foundation – which is the Corporate Social Investment arm of Transnet – we have invested time and money in a number of diverse programmes around the country that provide much-need succour and assistance to our communities.
“Our aim is simple – we want to harness the power of our people, of technology, to brighten the future of millions across our continent – and beyond.”
Well those are wonderful words aren’t they?
But they are simply words with little meaning to recreational boating and which give little comfort to the recreational boating community countrywide. Transnet, and more specifically the TNPA are NOT:
• inextricably involved in all aspects of life in South Africa, as they are targeting recreational boating.
• playing a pivotal role in enhancing the quality of life in all areas we operate. Recreational boating is being evicted from Transnet land.
• extending a quality of life to communities, nor environments. Recreational boating is a large community, and is under threat from the TNPA.
• harnessing the power of our people, nor are they brightening the future of millions across our continent. They cannot achieve this if they target certain groups.
• provide much-need succour and assistance to our communities.
The final bullet point must be some kind of joke, or the people at TNPA simply don’t understand the meaning of succour – which is: … assistance and support in times of hardship and distress.
As I said above, TRANSNET and the TNPA should be ashamed of themselves. They are heartless and appear intent on destroying recreational boating in this country.
SAMSA
The South African Maritime Safety Authority is an organisation I have bashed heads with over many years as they meddle in the affairs of recreational boating, knowing very little about the subject as they are ‘commercial shipping’ people.
I penned an acronym for SAMSA some years ago being this: Suffocating AMateur SAiling.
Their latest Marine Notice indicates that they may in fact have understood some of the issues, and are taking a more user-friendly role now.
Here’s what Marine Notice No. 15 of 2018 says under the heading: Safety and certification requirements for foreign recreational vessels in South African waters.
Summary This marine notice replaces Marine Notice 13 of 2005 and serves to advertise South African statutory requirements and SAMSA policy regarding foreign visiting recreational vessels (e.g. yachts) that wish to stay in South Africa for extended periods and undertake recreational cruises or participate in sporting activities in South African waters.
SAMSA have now understood that many cruising yachts take their time when sailing around the world, and stop in ports or anchorages for lengthy periods for maintenance and repairs, rest or sightseeing – with many being in no rush to sail through the country in a short period. So SAMSA have made concessions to their legislation which was, if nothing else, pretty damn unfriendly.
Now, my message to SAMSA is simply this: Is it not time that you handed over the full control of recreational boating safety to the individual sporting codes. After all, the rules and regulations promulgated for sailing vessels are to a large degree what CASA (Cruising Association of South Africa) established many years ago as recommended proper procedure on a voluntary basis. After all, we know and understand our sport far better than SAMSA officials do!
That would really be user-friendly – and may prompt the demise of the SAMSA Acronym forever!
Port of Mossel Bay receives multi-million rand transformation 22 August 2018 | Sagree Chetty |
Image: Afristay website
The expansion will increase the number of luxury ships that dock at the port.
Transnet National Ports Authority has announced a multi-million rand transformation for the Port of Mossel Bay in the Southern Cape.
The new port will include a waterfront, a dock for cruise line passengers to disembark and various other business opportunities.
The company says the facelift will be a key catalyst for economic growth in the Garden Route.
The Port of Mossel Bay is the smallest along our coastline. But big plans are in store for it in the next five years.
Transnet wants to bring it in line with other ports around the country.
Shulami Qalinge, Transnet national ports authority chief executive says: “One of the major programmes that we are looking at is the development of the waterfront at the port of Mossel Bay. It’s meant to grow the economy, its meant to grow the business at the port itself and its meant to create job opportunities for the community.”
The plans have been welcomed.
Community Leader Bongani Swartbooi says: “It’s a new development everyone has been waiting for, we are grateful. Transnet also engaged the community, requested input for this development.”
Mossel Bay Business Chamber’s Johan Claassen says: “The more we can use the harbour to do exports, imports, tourism, we can get cruise ships here and that creates jobs.”
However, businesses leasing port property fear they’ll be side-lined.
Seavuna Fishing Company’s Raymond Williams says: “It could be that our factory has to move out at some stage which is a big concern for us. Seavuna has been in the harbour for the last 30 years and provides work for hundreds of people.”
Transnet say the port’s modification is all part of their plans for radical economic transformation in the region.
The Golf Development Project, a community upliftment partnership between Transnet National Ports Authority’s Port of Mossel Bay and the Garden Route Golf Academy, is changing the lives of 13 local youth. The children, aged between 12 and 14 years old have spent the past two years learning about golf and its various benefits as part of the initiative. At a handover ceremony on 16 November 2018, Port Manager Shadrack Tshikalange handed over a cheque for R100 000 to the organisation, which will assist with the beneficiaries’ transportation, equipment, fees, coaching and uniforms among other expenses.
The Garden Route Golf Academy was formed five and a half years ago by AAA Class PGA Teaching Professional, Ben du Toit. It operates from the Mossel Bay Golf Club and offers private lessons, among other services, to adults and children. The academy’s Golf Development Project, for underprivileged youth, is modelled on a similar project previously run by du Toit in Namibia. Its purpose is to address the high levels of unemployment and limited work opportunities in Mossel Bay and surrounding areas by developing caddy and golfing skills, which will contribute to social and economic upliftment.
At the handover ceremony, Tshikalange highlighted the project’s value. “The beneficiaries are from local homes that care for destitute children. Their exposure to the local golfing community opens opportunity for partnership and support to further develop their golfing careers,” he said.
“For many, this is also a chance at being part of a new family. The exposure further opens international scholarship opportunities as some with a good handicap and school results may be offered a golf scholarship in the USA.” He added that he hoped the beneficiaries would one day contribute back to the community.
Tshikalange further explained that the children were carefully selected with the help of social workers as it was important for the beneficiaries to remain in line with the developmental impact aspect of TNPA’s CSI strategy. “At the Port of Mossel Bay, our support for our community is not only an imperative, but also an absolute honour to make a real difference to transform lives and contribute to an improved environment,” he said.
“We support initiatives that underpin deliberate actions that drive sustainable social impact. By putting our care into action, we contribute to a social sustainable world and boost our relationships with the local community too - driving a better South Africa forward.”
Du Toit said the children have already made significant progress, with two of them, Tamara Whiteman and Enzo du Plessis, already preparing to participate in a golf event on 7 December.
“In just over two years, the children have mastered really good golf swings, hit great shots and have developed good discipline and sportsmanship skills,” he said. “Golf, as a sport, teaches children self-motivation, etiquette, consideration of others, honesty and resilience. Not only do they have something to look forward to every weekend, they are also learning new skills and being exposed to a world that they otherwise would not have known.”
He added that the Garden Route Golf Academy was proud to be associated with the Port of Mossel Bay and thanked the port manager and his team for their involvement. “Through the three-year (3) support and partnership with TNPA, a lot of lives have been changed. The ripple effect of this project will positively benefit the communities, families and friends of the deserving children.”
Image Gallery:
Port of Mossel Bay Port Manager, Shadrack Tshikalange, hands over a cheque to Ben du Toit from the Garden Route Golf Academy, with some of the beneficiaries of the Golf Development Project present.
About Transnet National Ports Authority
Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) is one of five operating divisions of Transnet SOC Ltd. The National Ports Authority is responsible for the safe, effective and efficient economic functioning of the national port system, which it manages in a landlord capacity. It provides port infrastructure and marine services at the eight commercial seaports in South Africa – Richards Bay, Durban, Saldanha, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, East London, Mossel Bay and Ngqura. It operates within a legislative and regulatory environment and is governed by the National Ports Act (Act No. 12 of 2005). For more information visit www.transnetnationalportsauthority.net.
'n Kaapse bokspromotor en drie Mosselbaaise boksafrigters het 'n droom om Mosselbaai te vestig as die dorp waar wêreldkampioene soos Muhammad Ali gemáák word.
Op Saterdag 13 Oktober vind die eerste professionele titelgeveg in 'n reeks in Mosselbaai plaas as die afskop tot dié droom. Die Mossel Bay BOXING EXPLOSION vorm deel van die sewende Mosselbaai Sport- en Rekreasiefees wat van 15 September tot 14 Oktober aangebied word - juis om 'n gesonde leefstyl te bevorder . . .
Pleks van geld in te samel, versoek promotor David Faas dat sakelui en besigheidseienaars kaartjies koop vir hul werknemers sodat dié hul plaaslike helde in die bokskryt kan kom ondersteun - en dalk ook sommer die eerste keer 'n professionele boksgeveg kan bywoon.
Die titelgeveg, bestaande uit agt gevegte, vind op Saterdag 13 Oktober vanaf 18:00 in die skoolsaal van Imekhaya Laerskool in KwaNonqaba plaas. 'n Bokskryt is spesiaal danksy LOTTO-geld vir dié geleentheid bekom en sal ook dan amptelik ingewy word.
Die twee Mosselbaaise boksers wat die eerste keer in 'n professionele boksgeveg teen teenstanders van die Oos-Kaap gaan meeding, is Bulelani Ngondeka en Mbulelo Gubula. Bulelani sal in die veergewig-afdeling oor vier rondtes kragte meet teen Simphiwe Tsewu van Uitenhage, terwyl Mbulelo in die vlieggewig-afdeling oor vier rondtes teen Xolani Menze, ook van Uitenhage, te staan kom.
Foto: Bulelani Ngondeka (links) en Mbulelo Gubula is reg om Mosselbaai se naam hoog te hou op die BOKSONTPLOFFING wat op 13 Oktober plaasvind. Agter is hul afrigters Simpiwe Qatu, Mncedisi Nqekeza en Xolani Ngemntu, voormalige WBF middelgewig wêreldkampioen met die gordel wat hy verwerf het. Agter links is die spanbestuurder en mede-afrigter Phillip Goodger, eienaar van Tiger Kai-gimnasium en David Faas, promotor.
Faas het hoë verwagtinge van die twee Mosselbaaiers en glo dié boksgeleentheid sal die gaping in die plaaslike boksarena help oorbrug wat deur die dood van bokspromotor Terrence Majeke Ndanda gelaat is.
Besighede wat die herlewing van dié sport in Mosselbaai en die Suid-Kaap wil ondersteun, kan nou reeds kaartjies vir hul werknemers teen R150 elk koop. Kaartjies is ook beskikbaar by die Mosselbaai CRAFT ART SHOP (langs die Toerismeburo) en by TIGER KAI GIMNASIUM(in die Prince Vintcent-gebou) en ander winkels. Belangstellendes kan ook kaartjies bespreek by Karin of Roland by die Craft Art Shop @ 079 384 5299 of 082 408 2593 met bewys van internet-betaling aangesien hulle net kontant aanvaar.
Die Bankbesonderhede is:
David Faas t/a Boxing Explosion
FNB Tjekrekeningnommer : 62781409323
Takkode: 250 655
Tak: Mosselbaai
Hoekom NOU? Hoekom MOSSELBAAI?
Toe David Faas in die jare sestig as arm laerskool-kannetjie saam met sy maatjies rugby gespeel het op 'n oop stuk veld naby sy huis in 'n townshp in Port-Elizabeth, het hy niks geweet van boks nie. Toe 'n wildvreemde man die seuns een middag roep en na sy gimnasium neem, het 'n nuwe wêreld vir hom oopgegaan . . .
Die man was Saint Mrwetyana, 'n boksafrigter en promotor met sy eie gimnasium in die Kwazakhele township. Wat hy in daardie jare vir David en sy maats geleer het, het bly vassteek en het deel van David se lewensfilosofie geword. Vandag, op 62, ploeg hy steeds terug wat hy daardie jare by Saint Mrwetyana geleer het.
Die nederige man wat verlede week al die pad van Khayelitsha in die Kaap Mosselbaai toe geryloop het om in goeder trou "planne agtermekaar te kry" vir 'n groot bokstoernooi wat hy op 13 Oktober in Mosselbaai aanbied, is rustig en kalm waar hy op 'n ysige oggend in die Stars Restaurant in Mosselbaai sit en koffie drink. Sy selfoon byderhand, maak hy oproepe en reël fotosessies. Geen teken van spanning of klagtes oor die koue wat hy te voet trotseer nie.
"Ons moet R150 000 insamel vir die toernooi. Danksy 'n LOTTO-skenking het ons 'n bokskryt gekry wat in die skoolsaal van Imekaya Laerskool opgestel gaan word. Twee plaaslike boksers wat albei onlangs professionele status verwerf het, asook twee jong boksers van Port Elizabeth en Oos-Londen en ander boksers gaan in agt gevegte (bouts) meeding. Die wêreldbekende bokspromoter Stanley Christodoulou gaan as skeidsregter optree."
Né? Sommer net so?
As jy nie van beter geweet het nie, sou jy dink dié eenvoudige man met sy wolmussie ly aan 'n oormaat illusies van optimisme. Maar al bestuur hy nie self 'n voertuig nie en sukkel hy met sy selfoon-funksies, het hy al groter skares gelok en groter internasionale bokstoernooie hier aangebied as enige van sy eweknieë in die land.
Met nederigheid. Omdat sy hart op die regte plek sit.
"Ek wil nie geld en aansien hê nie. Wat moet ek met 'n peperduur motor en aardse bestittings doen? Môre is ek dood . . . Ek wil die jongmense 'n droom gee, soos ek gehad het. Ek wil hulle deur 'n sport soos boks dissipline leer en van die strate af kry - weg van misdaad en dwelms. Sodat hulle 'n toekoms het . . . en 'n droom."
En sy droom? Wat was sy droom?
"Muhammed Ali was natuurlik my held en natuurlik het ek gedroom daarvan om ook 'n wêreldkampioen te word . . . maar dit was die jare tagtig en sulke dinge was nie moontlik vir 'n swart boksertjie nie", sê hy sonder 'n sweem verwyt of heimweë. Feite en aanvaarding is waarmee hy werk. En drome.
"Vandag kán kinders sulke drome koester en verwesenlik. En ek wil hulle help . . . dis al."
Foto's: Jong boksertjies van Mosselbaai met hope talent wat al in nasionale boksgevegte meegeding het.
Hoe het sy eie lewe verloop?
"In daardie jare het kinders nog respek gehad vir volwassenes. Toe die man (Saint Mrwetyana) ons roep: 'Hey, julle Ruggerites, kom hier, ek wil julle iets wys', het ons hom eerbiedig gevolg. Hy het ons net daar leer boks en dissipline geleer. Ek het aanhou boks en geleer om 'n bokspromotor te word . . . "
Dit was nie aldag maklik nie. As die oudste van sewe kinders moes David in 'n stadium sy hoërskoolloopbaan tydelik onderbreek om te gaan werk om vir sy ses sibbe en ouers te help sorg. Hy het egter vasgebyt, deurgedruk en aan sy droom bly klou.
Sy vrou, Nomasoni (Lorraine) is 'n kraamverpleegster in Khayelitsha en hul 6-jarige "wonderkind" Sibabalwe hou hom jonk. David het ook 'n 30-jarige seun Xolani Mazomba uit 'n vorige verhouding. Ná vele miskrame het die egpaar vrede gemaak daarmee dat hulle nie saam kinders sou hê nie, toe klein Sibabalwe haar opwagting maak. Nou is dié laatlam-oogappel van hom sy grootste ondersteuner . . .
David glo Mosselbaai - en die groter Suid-Kaap - het hope onontginde talent en die werkloosheidsyfer maak jongmense mismoedig en dryf hulle tot drank en dwelms.
Foto: Jong boksertjies tydens die SA bokskampioenskappe in Gauteng in 2014. Vier Mosselbaaiers was in die span wat die Wes-Kaap verteenwoordig het.
"Boks leer kinders dissipline, respek, gesonde leefwyses en gee hulle 'n goeie selfbeeld en selfrespek. Dit hou hulle fiks en leer hulle ook selfverdedigingstegnieke en gee hulle selfvertroue. Boonop is daar groot geleenthede vir uitblinkers in die nasionale en internasiuonale arena om die hoogste sport te bereik - ook as afrigter en promotor.
"Ek wil die jeug hoop en 'n droom gee soos ek gehad het. Hulle geniet dit om te boks en boonop hou dit hulle van die strate en slegte gewoontes af weg.
"Ek glo dié Boksontploffing is net die begin om Mosselbaai en die Suid-Kaap te vestig as dié streek waar kampioen-boksers gemáák word . . . en met 'n bietjjie hulp van die gemeenskap en sakelui, kan ons dit doen!"
Ons glo hom . . . want hy het dit al bewys. En Mosselbaai kán!
* Besighede wat belangstel om die boksers met borgskappe te ondersteun, kan ook vir David Faas (064 057 1459) of Phillip Goodger (083 575 7571) bel.
