In partnership with the National Olympic Committee of South Africa (NOCSA) and Sowetan newspaper, Murray & Roberts selected canoeing in recognition of the excellence and leadership in its development programme. Canoeing South Africa is an affiliate of NOCSA.

The Jack Cheetham Memorial award was initiated 22 years ago in recognition of the special qualities of Jack Cheetham, a former Murray & Roberts director and the inspirational captain of the South African cricket team in the 1950s, who was able to instil in young people the belief that they could win. The award targets development sports projects in designated sporting codes, focusing on individuals or teams that have the potential to be champions.

Vela Dube and Lindelani Ngidi, two of the three young canoeists who are being trained by Canoeing South Africa for the 2008 Olympics.

“With funding support, this programme has the potential to be extended throughout South Africa and to produce Olympic champions,” Bruce added.

The slalom development programme, which has offered opportunity beyond their wildest dreams to disadvantaged young people in KwaZulu, represents the dream of two remarkable men.

• Robert Lembethe, the founder and driving force behind the Lembethe Canoe Club. He is a mentor and role model to dozens of disadvantaged young people in the Valley of a Thousand Hills, KwaZulu Natal.
• Cameron McIntosh, South African slalom canoeing champion and aspirant Olympian. He has put his final year of medical studies on hold to develop canoeing champions, particularly in the C1 and C2 disciplines, by training and creating opportunities for the Lembethe Canoe Club members.

The Dream Team

The development programme is being undertaken at Nagle Dam in KwaZulu Natal and involves approximately 40 young people from local communities. It dovetails with a five-year strategic plan by Canoeing South Africa to develop slalom canoeing and produce a team for the 2008 Olympic Games, chosen purely on merit but fully representative.

The three, referred to as the “dream team”, are Lindelani Ngidi, Sbonisiso “Master” Cele and Simon Dube. Cameron McIntosh has created opportunities for them to be coached and to compete internationally.

“When they participated in the World Cup in Australia, they caught the attention of the International Canoe Federation. This led to the three athletes flying to Germany to receive several weeks of dedicated coaching and finally competing in the 2003 World Championships in Augsburg, Germany, where they won many friends for their skill and determination,” said Dave Macleod, Secretary General of Canoeing South Africa.

Rewarding the Dream

The Jack Cheetham award will provide a timely cash injection of R100 000 to the development programme. “It is clear that the capacity and leadership are in place to achieve much greater impact with additional funding,” said Barends.

Canoeing South Africa has confirmed that the Jack Cheetham prize-money will be used to:

• fund equipment and a course for the expansion of the slalom project at Nagle Dam;
• expand the development project to Gauteng, Western Cape and Eastern Cape;
• support funding of the elite ambitions of Ngidi, Cele and Dube; and
• fund a life skills education and sustainability programme for young canoeists and administrators.

Also in the running for the 2003 Jack Cheetham Memorial award were:

• Chrysalis Academy, an upliftment programme in the Western Cape which has achieved impressive results using sport to empower young people who are exposed to crime and gangsterism;
• The South African Amateur Fencing Association, which has achieved considerable success with its development programme in Soweto and Mamelodi.

Sydney Matlhaku, Associate Editor of Sowetan said: “Sowetan is delighted to be associated with this Award. We have a proud history of partnering corporates in development projects that enhance the lives of many South Africans. We believe that the Jack Cheetham Award and Murray & Roberts, will make a significant contribution to development in sport in South Africa.”