MEET THEMBISA’S OWN SPORTS COMMENTATOR

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

Solomon More

FITEMPO 24 ready for 2021 Comrades Marathon

by Dumisani Hlatswayo

Solomon More has been an avid runner for quite some time. The Clayville-based runner is a member of a team known as FITempo24. The team has competed in several ultramarathons, including a 48km Irene Ultra; 73km 3 in 1 Calling the Brave Virtual Marathon Challenge, and 21km Rockies Virtual Challenge.

“We are based around the Olifantsfontein area as most of our training and marathon is performed here. We have been running several virtual marathons since the start of

Covid-19,” he said. Solly explained that it will be the first time that they run a Comrades Centenary Hope Challenge marathon this year, which is going to be a virtual race.

“We are a small team that is committed and dedicated to running to keep healthy, physically and mentally. We mostly do short runs during the week and long-distance runs on weekends,” he revealed.

Our aim is not necessarily focused on winning the race but our participation is mainly because of our love and passion for the sport. We are keeping the team at a small scale for now as per the Covid restrictions,” he said.

Team members Solly, Rodney, and Yanda will be doing a 45km (half comrade) marathon whereas Frank will be doing the full marathon (90km). Solly said the team is currently nursing leg injuries.

Meet Thembisa’s multilanguage sports commentator

by Dumisani Hlatswayo

Few people are passionate about being a sports commentator like Thapelo Cornelious Ntjakotla is. The Seshego born lad started commentating when he was only 10 years old. This year he has graduated with a qualification in radio production, and he won’t allow anything to come between him and his passion.

“My love for commentary started at the tender age of 10 when I would hear the likes of Sega 7 and Percy B broadcasting at Philly’s games, that’s when I fell in love with commentary.”

“I live near the soccer field. So one day there were games and they hired a sound for someone to broadcast the game and that guy did not show up. The organiser came to me and asked if I would broadcast.” Thapelo recalled.

He added: “I insisted that I did the 16 June youth games for two consecutive years. Then in 2018, I was spotted by Mr. Babsy Mathebula who introduced me to Philly’s games and from there I did not look back.”

Thapelo always had a dream of broadcasting big games like the Soweto derby or the Tshwane derby, and finally, last year, his dream came true. He was on tv broadcasting Philly’s games live 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 in it,” he said.

Black Leopards star to empower girls

by Samkelo Sibiya

Black 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.