Article by Ntokozo Biyela
Images by Lungile Mseleku & Nelisiwe Mkhize
Once a year, Departments from multiple sectors in KwaZulu-Natal join in a two-day sporting event. The recent Pandemic scourge had halted all large events. As the country dropped the COVID19 regulations and lifted the ban on large events, there was no better time to host the Provincial Inter-Departmental Games than now. Arriving with dynamic energy, this event features sports competitions in which employees from fourteen departments across the province participate in.
Veterans Soccer Team warming up for their semi-final on Day 2.
On the 22nd – 23rd of July, 2022 the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Public Works participated at the Provincial Inter-Departmental Games, which were held at the Umhlathuze Sports Complex Grounds in Richards Bay. The games were chaired and co-ordinated by the Department of Sport and Recreation in collaboration with the Office of the Premier.
The sporting codes included games ranging through from veterans and under 35 men’s soccer, women’s soccer, netball, volleyball, golf, relay and indigenous games, which include umlabalaba, induku and tug of war. Day one of the two-day occasion commenced well with a number of wins in the bag for the Department of Public Works.
The Relay Team
Complements are extended to the provincial ‘Work and Play’ Wellness Programme under the Departments Employee Health and Wellness unit, for accommodating these prestigious games by affording space for officials to get in on the act of living a balanced lifestyle.
The successful attendance of this event was proven through the jubilant energy, which Deputy Director General Corporate Services from the Department of Public Works Mr P.W. Duma commended as he also showed up to not only instil and influence the importance of attending these types of events. “Such opportunities promote healthy networking relationships for all public sector employees”.
Appreciation also pours out to the local businesses from the North Coast Region as the Departments worked hand in hand with multiple businesses to make a success out of this occasion while promoting local businesses, from the caterers and accommodation provided for the athletes and employees, this was an experience of pure joy and high energy from beginning to end.
The event had out-the-box commentary by the commentators of the day, Mr Nkululeko Mkhize from the Office of the Premier Youth and Mr Wandile Nkala from the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture. Day two (2) of the event ended on a high note with an awards ceremony for the winning participants.
Netball Team on the Left and Womens Soccer Team on the Right.
