Durban - eThekwini Municipality has been crowned as overall winners in the South African Local Government (Salga) Games, which were held in Newcastle from December 8 to 11.
The city scooped an impressive 52 gold medals, 45 silver, and 34 bronze medals across sporting codes.
Swimming team coach Charles Khumalo said he was happy to coach such a team that had provided outstanding individual performances, which included Lethokuhle Makhubu who won an overall 11 medals, including nine golds.
“In swimming, we had top performers and we are very happy today that our team made us proud and won gold medals. We managed to get 2 550 points to be able to be number one. We congratulate athletes from eThekwini and we hope they do the same next year, and in future keep on the good work,” said a thrilled Khumalo.
The city’s dancing team coach, Nonzuzo Jali, said the team won nine golds and five silvers, and these Salga games were important in terms of teaching kids life skills and deterring people from drugs.
“Parents entrusted us with these kids, and what made me happy is that the kids from the dancing team won and their parents are proud. Dancing helps with self-discipline and shows you the way,” said the coach.
The municipality’s deputy chairperson Community Services, Councillor Vusi Mngadi, noted that the games proved the point that the eThekwini team was the best in KZN, and added that all of the rewards were down to team efforts.
“We are happy that we are the overall winners here and that we achieved what we came for in Newcastle. We wish to thank the athletes first, eThekwini Municipality mayor Mxolisi Kaunda, and the parents who supported their kids. We also want to thank the sports department at the municipality. All of these people worked hard, and although there were challenges they managed to deal with them,” said the councillor.
Mngadi said the medals haul simply underlined eThekwini’s supremacy in sports.