The 2004 Murray & Roberts Jack Cheetham Memorial Award was presented to Athletics Transkei at a gala event in Sandton last night.

In partnership with the National Olympic Committee of South Africa (NOCSA) and Sowetan newspaper, Murray & Roberts selected Athletics Transkei in recognition of the excellence and leadership in its development programme and the substantial contribution it makes to athletics in South Africa. Athletics Transkei is one of 17 provincial members of Athletics South Africa (ASA), an affiliate of NOCSA.

The Jack Cheetham Memorial Award was initiated 23 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 instill in young people the belief that they could win. In recent years, the award has targeted sports development projects, focusing on individuals or teams that have the potential to be champions.

“In spite of massive challenges, Athletics Transkei has established a well organised, effective development programme which has become a model for sports development in South Africa,” said Brian Bruce, Group CE of Murray & Roberts.

“Athletics Trandskei CEO Gogo Manqoyi and her team have inspired a culture of cross-country running in one of our poorest rural areas, bringing a new dimension into the lives of thousands of young people and highlighting new reservoirs of talent. With additional funding this programme has the potential to rise to the national challenge presented by our continents Kenyan and Ethiopian Olympic athletes.”

In a surprise announcement, Bruce said that Murray & Roberts has decided to double the value of the prize money to R200 000 to strengthen the impact of its contribution to sports development in South Africa. The group has been impressed at the development leverage achieved by the previous winners in the awards’ new format. The two runner-up projects will each be awarded R25 000 of the total prize in recognition of the quality and impact of their own development programmes.

Athletics South Africa has adopted cross-country as a primary vehicle for the development of the sport. It reaches disadvantaged communities and exposes the wealth of talent South Africa possesses in middle and long distance racing. Cross country is also sustainable in that it uses natural infrastructure and can be practiced in the most rural of environments. The hilly terrain and natural beauty of Transkei is ideal for building strength and endurance in body and mind.

Athletics Transkei organizes many competition and training events through its development programmes in the areas of Bizana, Flagstaff, Lusikisiki and Tabankulu. Progamme organisers face significant obstacles daily as they deal with the long distances between targeted areas and the overwhelming poverty of rural Transkei. The Principal of a school in Bizana is the only available coach, when he is not engaged with his role as rugby coach.

Athletics Transkei has risen above these challenges and developed a model that has been adopted by other ASA members. The fruits of this process are evident in a number of athletes who have represented South Africa, including Zolile Bhitane, Sivuyile Dlongwana, Avukile Ntongana and Zolani Ntongana.

Athletics Transkei CEO Gogo Manqoyi is an executive of ASA and the South African Sports Commission and was Chef de Mission for the 2003 All Africa Games Team in Abuja, Nigeria last year. She and her two assistants are now identifying and developing new potential candidates for major international events, including the Olympic Games. A strong contender is 12 year-old Kholiswa Zondwayo, who completed the 2004 Spar Ladies Race in 11th position and achieved a team bronze medal with Nozuko Ntozakwe, Thenjiwe Luna and Funeka Mlwakuhle at the South African cross-country championships this year.

Additional future plans which will be supported by the R150 000 Jack Cheetham prize, include:

• Expanding the programme throughout the Transkei and sustaining it;
• Strengthening the coaching capacity in the province; and
• Supporting efforts to uplift communities in the Transkei and eradicate poverty.

Other projects short-listed for the Award and the recipients of R25000 each are:

• The South African Amateur Fencing Association which has brought the age-old sport of fencing to poor urban communities and created pockets of excellence with its development programme in Soweto and Mamelodi. Dr George Ruijsch van Dugteren and his team give selflessly of their time and expertise to develop talented young people into potential Olympic champions.
• The South African Handball Federation which under the inspirational leadership of Modi Marishane Nyaka, is using the fast-growing sport of handball as a vehicle to effect community development in its “Back to Basics” campaign. With 150 000 children from all provinces already involved in the campaign, Modi’s target is 500 000 participants.