ISSUE 38 – 10 June 2021 Email: olifants@papashamedia.co.za Tel: 010 023 1845 www.theolifants.co.za Find us on
Tel: 010 023 1845
FITEMPO 24 ready for 2021 Comrades Marathon by Dumisani Hlatswayo
Hope Challenge marathon this year, which is going to be a virtual race. olomon More has been an avid “We are a small team that is comrunner for quite some time. mitted and dedicated to running to The Clayville-based runner keep healthy, physically and menis a member of a team known as tally. We mostly do short runs during FITempo24. The team has competed the week and long-distance runs on in several ultramarathons, includ- weekends,” he revealed. ing a 48km Irene Ultra; 73km 3 in 1 Our aim is not necessarily focused Calling the Brave Virtual Marathon on winning the race but our participaChallenge, and 21km Rockies Virtual tion is mainly because of our love and Challenge. passion for the sport. We are keeping “We are based around the the team at a small scale for now as Olifantsfontein area as most of our per the Covid restrictions,” he said. training and marathon is performed Team members Solly, Rodney, and here. We have been running several Yanda will be doing a 45km (half virtual marathons since the start of comrade) marathon whereas Frank Covid-19,” he said. Solly explained will be doing the full marathon that it will be the first time that (90km). Solly said the team is curthey run a Comrades Centenary rently nursing leg injuries.
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Solomon More
Meet Thembisa’s multilanguage sports commentator by Dumisani Hlatswayo
at the tender age of 10 when I would 16 June youth games for two conhear the likes of Sega 7 and Percy secutive years. Then in 2018, I was ew people are passionate B broadcasting at Philly’s games, spotted by Mr. Babsy Mathebula about being a sports commen- that’s when I fell in love with who introduced me to Philly’s tator like Thapelo Cornelious commentary.” games and from there I did not look Ntjakotla is. The Seshego born lad “I live near the soccer field. So back.” started commentating when he was one day there were games and they Thapelo always had a dream only 10 years old. This year he has hired a sound for someone to broad- of broadcasting big games like graduated with a qualification in cast the game and that guy did not the Soweto derby or the Tshwane radio production, and he won’t allow show up. The organiser came to derby, and finally, last year, his anything to come between him and me and asked if I would broadcast.” dream came true. He was on tv his passion. Thapelo recalled. broadcasting Philly’s games live “My love for commentary started He added: “I insisted that I did the on Supersport TV and the Vision View TV. “I would like to thank the chairman Mr. Philly Mathebula and the manager for giving me the opportunity. It means a lot to me as I have said in my previous statement, it opened doors for me to fulfill my dreams as a commentator because it all started there.” Thapelo’s native tongue is Sepedi, he said he also does commentary in isiZulu. “I had to adapt to the environment whereby I’m surrounded by Zulu-speaking people. I have to read isiZulu books and listen to Ukhozi FM in order to upgrade my Zulu vocabulary as I’m not perfect Thapelo Cornelious Ntjakotla in it,” he said.
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Black Leopards star to empower girls by Samkelo Sibiya
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lack Leopards star Nkosinathi Onyedikachi Ononogbu currently runs pads drive initiative with a 1500 target to support girls in local schools from underprivileged backgrounds. The local star will be soon hosting his annual tournament as previously reported by this paper, the soccer and netball tournament will take place at Ivory Park Kopanong Sporting Ground this month. The Ivory Park-based star has enjoyed a full season with Black Leopards. Having been from humble beginnings, Ononogbu has dedicated part of his life to helping others, bettering their lives. this year despite the covid-19 challenges his annual tournament will continue as planned meanwhile the pads drive will be reaching changing lives of young girls. Ononogbu said he is honoured to have this opportunity and be able to make a difference in the community he comes from. “This drive is dedicated to helping young women in schools, the first batch of donations will be made at Ivory Park Secondary School,” said Ononogbu. “We aim to have 1500 packs of pads, we hoping to
Nkosinathi Onyedikachi Ononogbu
have more than that so we can reach more girls at once. For girls, this is their necessity, it is said to see these young women miss or skip school because they had their periods, no girl should skip school unless they went to consult to a doctor,” he continues. This initiative is in partnership with Cream Sports Foundation so as in with the tournament. While his fans wait for the tournament to kick off they can contribute one pack of sanitary pads at a time to change lives. For more details on the tournament please contact Pontsho Madumo at 060-698-3766 or Matshepo Soto at 067-212-2246. To donate pads please email creamsportsmanagement@gmail. com or contact 063 158 2563 / 073 692 5041 / 060 698 3766 or follow Ononogbu on Instagram at Nkosinathi_Ononogbu.
