After competitive games at local stages, Harry Gwala District Municipality held a very successful and exciting District Mayoral Cup, 04 May 2024 at Jeffery Zungu Sports field in Ixopo. These games started at a ward level, winners participated at the level of the local Municipality, then proceeded to district level. All teams who managed to obtain position 01 and 02 in local Mayoral qualified to partake in today's tournament. It was exciting to watch his worship, Cllr Z. Nxumalo taking part in the games as he took the goalkeeper position in one of the participating teams.
Mayors from all local municipalities also graced the day by their presence namely, Cllr EB Ngubo of UBuhlebezwe Municipality, Cllr SP Msomi of Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma Municipality, Cllr J Msiya of Umzimkhulu Municipality and Cllr MNL Madikizela of Greater Kokstad Municipality.
Sporting codes were male soccer and female netball. Prize giving was conducted as follows:
NETBALL: 1st position (Gold)- KGM Jauguers (Kokstad)
2nd (Silver)- Mhlawuli (Umzimkhulu)
3rd (Bronze)- Hash Tag (Kokstad)
SOCCER (males): 1st position- Good Fellas (Umzimkhulu)
2nd - Elect (Kokstad)
3rd - Limited (uBuhlebezwe)
Individuals performance were also recognized for and the following players were awarded :
SOCCER
-Goalkeeper: Dlamini Phathokuhle (Good fellas)
-Defender: Liyabonga Phumza (Elect)
-Midfielder: Lonwabo Nafu (Good fellas)
-Top goal scorer: Nkanyiso Shabalala (Ubuhlebezwe)
-Player of the day: Sibabalwe Myeki (Elect)
NETBALL
- Top goal scorer- Mbali Diphoko (Jaguars)
- Best middle fielder: Asanda Ntshangase (Mhlawuli)
- Best goalkeeper: Mandisa Mathe (Magic girls)
- Best performing Coach: Nhlanhla (Mhlawuli)
- Player of the day: Lindiswa Qini (Jaguars)
Teams were awarded as follows:
- 1st position: R25 000
- 2nd position: R15 000
- 3rd position: R10 000
Harry Gwala District Municipality views Mayoral Cup as not just about winning trophies only, it is about nurturing a culture where sport becomes a catalyst for personal growth, community development, and lifelong connections.
District Mayor, Cllr Z. Nxumalo extended his gratitude to all sports associations and clubs in partnering with the Harry Gwala District Municipality. He further promised that the next mayoral cup will be bigger and better. This is after the community requested for more sporting codes to be included going forth.
