Townships Kids Saddle Up

08 February, 2010

YEE-HAH!: Riding instructor Mary Ellen takes Sihle Nkomo out for his first ride

By Themba Khumalo

More than 200 children from Chesterville, Inanda Ntuzuma and Kwamashu recently got a first taste of horse-riding, with lessons from former equestrian champions Sue Pieters and Cindy Meekers. Gopaul Pillay, District Manager with the Municipality’s Sport and Recreation Development Department, said, “We are trying to get rid of the mentality that horse riding is for certain elite people only. That is why we are proud to be associated with this initiative,” he said. Regular riding lessons are expected to start soon at the stables, near King’s Park. “These children have been exposed to the sport and will now have an opportunity of making it a career,” said Pillay.

Pieters said, “We are trying to give everyone a chance of making this sport a career. We are aware the sport is not popular among blacks, and that is why we focus on townships. “African people have rhythm and balance so they are perfect for the sport. We hope by the time the next riding show kicks off this year we will have five or seven children competing in it. “If we can develop children to be involved in this sport from a tender age, hopefully in years to come we can have riders representing us in the World Cup,” said Pieters. She said the Strategic Project Unit would provide the children with transport to the lesson and pay for their rides.

Lala Nzuza, a Sport officer with the Municipality’s Sport and Recreation Development Department, said “Our department has partnered with the City’s Strategic project unit to develop the sport.” Sihle Nkomo, 11, a Grade 5 pupil at Bonisanani Primary School in Ntuzuma, said, “It was very exciting to be on the horse and it was my first time ever. I am not very good in other sports I have tried, however I think this one will suit me perfectly.”

khumalotk@durban.gov.za

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