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Creston College wins Southern Regional of SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Fast 5s Netball

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SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Fast 5s Netball

Southcity Christian College: Saturday 24 August

 

Creston College claimed the first Southern Regional title in the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Fast 5s Netball that took place at Southcity Christian College on Saturday 24 August.

 

Creston stormed into the final where they met Suid Natal for the second time, having both played in the opening game of the tournament, the score went 6 to 4 in favour of the local team. The two teams then closed the tournament after two feisty semi-finals, where they took each other on in two 8 minute action packed halves.

 

Goal Shooter for the winning team, Joanelle Herman had fantastic stats in the crowning game with a higher success rate than her counter part on the opposite side, netting 6 of her team’s 7 goals. Majority of Suid Natal’s attempts agonisingly skirted along or bounced off the rim with only 3 finding the centre.

 

At half time, Creston completely dominated the scoreline with the scoreboard showing 5 – 1 to Creston. For the first 4 minutes and 19 seconds of the second half, the hard working scorer on the sidelines didn’t have any work to do as the game flowed between the two goals with no one able to float the ball into the net.

 

Creston broke the goal drought with two quick fire goals, taking the scoreline up to 7 - 1. As the clock wound down, Suidies finally managed to penetrate the strong defence and net two goals with the final whistle blowing at 7 - 3 to Creston.

 

Leading up to the finals, explosive and impressive Ixopo met their match in the first semi final where they took on Creston. In their first run on the court, Ixopo managed a fantastic win against Creston earlier in the day, with the score favouring the travelling team 6 – 5. In the semi, the towering frame of Raine van Tichelen in the Goal Keeper’s spot would have none of the sneaky low passes and bulls-eye perfect goal attempts as she swiftly moved in the circle blocking most of Ixopo’s attempts. Creston’s Herman again did her job, netting 4 of the 6 goals scored for her team. The pocket rockets from Ixopo were only able to sneak 1 shot in with the goal line ending on 6 – 1 in favour of Creston.

 

In the second semi-final, Suid Natal came up against host school, Southcity. From the first whistle the game ping-ponged between the two posts, with both teams moving the ball rapidly up to their attacking players, and then quickly finding themselves in defense mode. At half time there was nothing in it with Suid Natal slightly ahead on 8 – 6.

 

After their half time pep talk, the visiting team put their head down and determinedly defended like queens, not allowing the hosts to have any constructive time in the circle. Suid Natal earned themselves another 3 points, while Southcity were unable to shoot any points. The final score was 11 – 6 for Suid Natal, giving them a ticket through to the final.

 

Umpire for the day was awarded to Bronwin Day-Garden from Southcity.

 

This is the second of four regionals in the inaugural SPAR KZN Schoolgirl’s Fast 5s challenge. Creston College join Hillcrest High School as the first school to have their name engraved on the brand new glistening regional trophy.

 

This coming weekend, (Saturday 31 August) the tournament heads up to the north coast where teams from around the Empangeni and Richard’s Bay area take part in the Northern Regional at Empangeni High School.

 

For more info like the tournament’s Facebook page or follow on Instagram.

 

Results

1 Creston College, 2 Suid Natal High School, 3 Southcity Christian College, 4 Ixopo High School, 5 Marburg High School


ENDS


Buddha in Africa - Award-winning documentary for Cape Town

Media Release

Award-winning documentary for Cape Town

 

The award-winning documentary, Buddha in Africa, directed by KwaZulu-Natal filmmaker Nicole Schafer, which scooped the Best SA Documentary at the Durban International Film Festival in July, and won an Audience Choice Award at Encounters in June this year, is coming to Cape Town in August. It will be screened at the Silwerskermfees, the Labia Theatre, Tshisimani Centre for Activist Education in Mowbray and Isivivana Centre in Khayelitsha.

 

Buddha in Africa follows Enock Alu, a Malawian teenager growing up in a Chinese Buddhist orphanage, who feels torn between his African roots and Chinese upbringing. Set against China's expanding influence on the continent, Buddha in Africa provides a unique insight into the forces of cultural soft power on the identity and imagination of an African boy and his school friends growing up between two cultures.

 

Buddha in Africa is an international co-production with Momento Films in Sweden, has the Paris based sales company CAT and Docs representing the film internationally and AfriDocs as its African broadcast partner.

 

The film’s latest Best SA Documentary Award automatically qualifies it for a consideration for an Oscar nomination, as the DIFF is one of the qualifying festivals for the Academy of Motion Picture, Arts and Sciences.

 

The Silwerskerm screening takes place at the Theatre on the Bay on Friday 23 August at 12:15.   Full day pass: R175.00

https://online.computicket.com/web/event/kyknet_silwerskermfees/1326589081/624439394

 

The Labia Theatre screening takes place on Sunday 25 August at 2:30 pm. The filmmaker will be in attendance for a Q&A after the event.  Tickets R60.00. Limited Seats. Book online: http://webtickets.co.za/event.aspx?itemid=1493520470  

 

The Documentary Filmmakers Association will screen the film at its docLOVE event at the Tshisimani Centre for Activist Education, in Mowbray on Thursday 29 August at 6pm. Those interested in documentaries as well as learning more about the DFA are encouraged attend. Free entrance. Tshisimani Centre for Activist Education, 67-69 Main Road, Mowbray. Free entrance. Contact: mikiinthecity@gmail.com or theresa@steps.co.za

 

The Documentary Filmmakers Association will present another DocLOVE event at the Bertha Movie House at Isivivana Centre on Wednesday 4 September at 6pm. Free entrance. 8 Mzala Street, Khayelitsha  Website: https://isivivanacentre.org.za Facebook: Bertha Movie House

 NOTE: The film will also screen at the HILTON ARTS FESTIVAL (13 - 15 September 2019) in KwaZulu-Natal.

Trailer Link Facebook:

https://facebook.com/buddhainafrica/videos/2409166019303775

For more information like and follow the film on Facebook: buddhainafrica      

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Gearing up for Maritzburg’s Most Beautiful Road Race – 18 August 2019

Gearing up for Maritzburg’s Most Beautiful Road Race – 18 August 2019

There are just a few days to go before the Maritzburg SPAR Women’s 10km/5km Challenge (Sunday, 18 August) and organisers are gearing up for another capacity-packed and fun-filled day at the Oval Cricket Grounds in Alexandra Park, where R2 from every entry will go towards CHOC (Childhood Cancer Foundation) House based in the Pietermaritzburg.

While online entries for the race closed on Monday 12 August at midnight there is still time to get entries in at Race Registration on Friday 16 August from 10:00 to 17:00 and Saturday 17 August from 10:00 to 15:00 at The Oval, cricket stadium in Alexandra Park.

Participants and members of the public are reminded about road closures in order to avoid traffic congestion on the day. Organisers advise that participants leave home early and plan where they want to park to avoid being late for the start, as the event attracts 4500 participants who will converge for both the 5km and 10km Start in Princess Margaret Drive, opposite Maritzburg College at 8am.

The road closures and times are as follows:

Sunday, August 18
Balmoral – closed from 03:00 – 11:00
Princess Margaret – closed from 03:00 – 11: 00
Park Drive between Princess Margaret and Princess Elizabeth – closed from 03:00 – 11:00
Princess Elizabeth – closed from 03:00 – 11:00
Park Drive from College Rd to Princess Elizabeth – closed from 07:00 – 11:00
Alexandra Road from Cross Rd to Alan Paton Ave – closed (inbound only) from 07:00 – 10:00
Alan Paton Ave from Alexandra Rd to Burger St – closed (inbound only) from 07:00 – 08:30
Alexandra Road – closed in both directions from 07:30 until approximately 08:45 (to accommodate the large field)

Once again this year, the new water supply procedures will be implemented to help minimise waste that cannot be recycled. The race Goodie Bags with race T-shirts given out at race registration, and the breakfast packs given out after the race, are in recyclable SPAR paper bags.

Water sachets have once again been replaced.  Before the race, participants should collect their 750ml aQuelle Still water, made from fully recyclable PET plastic. Participants must carry the bottle during the event and dispose of the bottles at either the finish of the 5km or at the Time Freight half-way table of the 10km event. 10km participants will be able to collect another bottle of aQuelle water for the second half of the route. At the end of the race each entrant will receive a bottle of water on completion and are encouraged to dispose of these in the recycling bins provided.

Manual Registration can still be done at Race Registration on Friday 16 August from 10am to 5pm and on Saturday 17 August from 10am to 3pm at The Oval Cricket Ground, Alexandra Park, subject to a maximum of 4500 entries.

For more info contact the organisers on maritzburg@sparwomensrace.co.za or visit the official race on www.sparwomensrace.co.za or like the Facebook page.

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SPAR KZN Schoolgirl’s Fast 5s Netball  Kuswag High School: Saturday 3 August

SPAR KZN Schoolgirl’s Fast 5s Netball 

Kuswag High School: Saturday 3 August

 

The very first name to be engraved on the trophy at the inaugural SPAR KZN Schoolgirl’s Fast 5s Netball Tournament on Saturday 3 August at Kuswag High School is Hillcrest High School.

 

The first SPAR Fast 5s tournament, hosted by Amanzimtoti High School had ten out of the eleven registered teams take to the two courts, with a total of 55 games of high energy action taking place. The tournament played in a round robin format had two 6 minute halves and a generous 2 minute breather midway.

 

The on-song team on the day, the victorious Hillcrest High racked up ten out of their ten wins, netting 99 baskets and only allowing 28 points go in against them, including 10 points in the big game against Gelofte High School. Hillcrest were in stealth mode against their fellow Highway team. 

 

In a game where the action bounced from end to end in lightning quick pace, Gelofte were the first team to score, with Hillcrest levelling shortly thereafter. The dynamic northern team were unphased by the towering frame of Goal Shooter, Nadine Hefer from Gelofte who had a near perfect scoring ration throughout the day. Camping under the net, Hefer calmly floated shot after shot in against Hillcrest, but the wily team hustled the ball up, never letting Gelofte get ahead of them. At the blast of the final whistle after a feisty 14 minutes of play, Hillcrest were up 13 to Gelofte’s 10, earning an impressive victory.

 

Gelofte met yet another challenge in the team from Durban Girls’ High School. The two schools both finished the day with 8 points, 8 wins and 2 losses. In the game against each other, only 1 point separated the two with the scoreline favouring Gelofte 10-9. DGHS only other loss was to the winning team, Hillcrest while Gelofte’s kryptonite was Durban North College, with College taking that game 12-7. 

 

Mid-fleet, a tightly bunched pack battled it out for sixth place between Ridge Park College, KwaMakhutha High School, Northlands Girls’ High School and host team Toti. Four round robin points sepearted the four schools as the day concluded. Northlands Girls’ High finished their day in sixth, scooping the place from Toti with a better goal scoring difference. Both teams finished on 12 points, but Northlands netted 43 points to Toti’s 30. They were followed by Ridge Park College on 10 points and the hard working team from KwaMakhutha who earned 9 points. 

 

A tradition in the SPAR Schoolgirls’ tournaments, the hard working whistle blowers are acknowledged for efforts making the tough decisions throughout the day. Being recognised for her time on the court, Dumo Mthiyane from host school, Toti was awarded the Umpire of the Day at the first tournament.

 

The next tournament travels to Southcity Christian School in Margate for the southern schools’ regions, before heading to Empangeni High School and Voortrekker High School in Pietermaritzburg.

 

For more info like the tournament’s Facebook page or follow on Instagram.

 

Round Robin Results

1 Hillcrest High School 30pts, 2 Gelofte High School 24pts, 3 Durban Girls’ High School 24pts, 4 Durban North College 21pts, 5 Kingsway High School 19pts, 6 Northlands Girls’ High School 12pts, 7 Amanzimtoti High School 12pts, 8 Ridge Park College, 3pts 10 KwaMakhutha High School 9pts, 10 Rossburgh High School 3pts

 

ENDS

 

Maritzburg SPAR Women’s Challenge 10km/5km Sunday 18 August 2019

Media Release

Maritzburg SPAR Women’s Challenge 10km/5km

Sunday 18 August 2019

 

Entries are now open for the Maritzburg SPAR Women’s Challenge 10km/5km, the City’s “most beautiful road race”, which takes place in and around Alexandra Park in the Capital, on Sunday 18 August.

 

The popular running event is the fifth in the national Grand Prix series, which attracts both elite athletes as well as experienced and novice participants, with cash prizes for the top runners.

 

Last year, Nedbank CG runner Irvette van Zyl made a spectacular comeback after having given birth to her second child in June, winning the race in a time of 34.26, followed by KZN runner Jenet Mbhele of Umzimkulu Striders in a time of 34.47.  She currently sits in fourth place and Mbhele in a tie fifth place on the leaderboard of SPAR Grand Prix.  

 

All eyes will be on Namibian athlete, Helalia Johannes (Nedbank) who broke the SPAR South Africa series record in the Durban Challenge in June this year, winning in an astounding time of 30 minutes 59 seconds. Helalia also won the Port Elizabeth and Cape Town races earlier this year. 

 

While the elite athletes battle it out for their leaderboard positions, a host of women (and their supporters) will be there for many other reasons, whether it be to record their personal best times, have fun with friends and family, or to set themselves some healthy new goals, the race offers something for everyone.

 

Once again both the 10km and 5km events start at 8am outside Maritzburg College in Princess Margaret Drive, winding through the City’s picturesque Alexandra Park, and the boundaries of the CBD ending at The Oval Cricket Stadium in Alexandra Park, where the prize-giving and lucky draw will take place. 

 

In an effort to keep the intimacy of the race, a limit of 4,500 entries will be accepted with 1,750 for the 10km and 2,750 for the 5km.  Entries to the 10km distance are open to participants from age 14 and to the 5km from age 9, with the age restrictions being applicable on the day of the competition. Entry fees are R120 for 10km licensed athletes and for 5km runners, and R145 for 10km unlicensed athletes (which includes the R25 temporary licence fee).

 

Entries can be done online at www.sparwomensrace.co.za/maritzburg by using the EFT or credit/debit card payment options. EFT entries close on Monday 5 August at midnight, and credit/debit card entries on Monday 12 August at midnight. Manual entries (subject to the limit of 4,500 entries) can also be done at the race registration, which takes place on Friday 16 August (10 am to 5 pm) and Saturday 17 August (10 am to 3 pm) at The Oval Cricket Stadium in Alexandra Park.

 

Groups entering more than 10 people using the “Multi-Entry” online option on the website can have their race packs and promo bags delivered directly to the team co-ordinator. For these group-entries to be delivered, they must be processed, paid for and confirmed by Friday 2 August 2019.

 

At race registration, all participants receive their race number, a “one-size fits most” race T-shirt and a promo bag (the contents of which may vary from bag to bag). All participants also receive a breakfast pack at the finish line.

 

To entertain children, SPAR provides a Kids’ Zone at the Oval, which is not a child-care facility - adults still need to mind their children, and they cannot be left there unsupervised.

Pietermaritzburg’s Choc (Childhood Cancer Foundation) is once again the official race charity, with R2 from each entry donated to them. Last year R9,000 was raised for this worthwhile cause that supports children battling with cancer, and their families.

 

For more information visit the official race website on www.sparwomensrace.co.za /Maritzburg or like the Facebook page, Twitter and Instagram or email the race organisers on maritzburg@sparwomensrace.co.za. 

 

St Anne’s College earned themselves a successful second place in SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge

St Anne’s College

In their eighth appearance at the Grand Finals of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge, St Anne’s College earned themselves a successful second place.

 

In a repeat of last year, St Anne’s earned themselves silver against St Mary’s DSG in a highly competitive end to the Grand Finals. In their second consecutive medal meeting, St Anne’s lost by the narrowest of margins, one spectacular St Mary’s drag flick that found the back of the net was the only goal in this year’s gold silver game. St Anne’s held strong compared to the 2018 final where they went down by 3 goals in a game that the host school dominated.

 

Robin Jones, passionate Coach for St Anne’s stated, “Our weekend started off slow but we are very grateful to be back at such a wonderful event. We had quite a few players missing due to top school squash commitments which resulted in a nice opportunity to give some of our younger girls a chance to play and I am extremely proud of them.”

 

“We are incredibly happy to be at this event, it is a wonderful initiative. It is wonderful to be back and of course making it to the final. I believe we competed more in this year’s medal match than last years. With only one special goal by a special player separating the two teams. The standard was fantastic in the gamed and we can only grow from strength to strength as a school, and as a province because of events like this.”

 

The Hilton based team were drawn in Pool B where they met Durban Girls’ College (DBN Central Regional Winner), Crawford La Lucia (DBN North Regional Winners), Amanzimtoti High School (DBN South Regional Winners) and Felixton College from Richards Bay (North Coast Regional).

 

In their first game, St Anne’s secured a gentle win of 1 nil against Felixton, building on this they went 2 nil up against Crawford. In their big game against three times tournament winners, Durban Girls’ College, St Anne’s earned themselves a respectable 1 all draw. Ending off their first day, they pounced on every opportunity netting 6 fantastic goals dominating from start to finish in their last pool game against Toti.

 

Finishing on top of the log, day two started off with a meeting in the first semi-final against Epworth School who finished second in their pool. Sophie Rebeck and Lusanda Mtshali notched up two goals for their team, giving St Anne’s the grand ticket to the gold silver medal game.

 

St Anne’s College – Pietermaritzburg North Regional Winner - Gold (2011), Silver (2018, 2019), Bronze (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017), Fourth (2013)

 

 

urban Girls’ College finished third overall in Grand Finals of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge

Durban Girls’ College

In their ninth appearance at the Grand Finals of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge, Durban Girls’ College finished third overall.

 

In their pool, College came up against St Anne’s College (PMB North Regional Winners), Crawford La Lucia (DBN North Regional Winners), Amanzimtoti High School (DBN South Regional Winners) and Richards Bay’s Felixton College (North Coastal Regional Winner).

 

College took on Crawford in the first game, starting off their weekend with a 1 nil win. They continued their winning streak with a 4 nil win against Toti. In their big test in the pool games, they came up level pegged at one all against St Anne’s and finished off their first day with a 1 nil win against travelling team, Felixton.

 

Ending off second in Pool B, they took on host school and defending champs, St Mary’s DSG in a fast flying semi-final that went the way of Saints who took the game 3 nil.

 

In the bronze medal game, Durban Girls’ College met Epworth School for the second year running at the Grand Finals. With ten minutes left Grade 11 star, Bulelwa Mzimela was perfectly in place for a fantastic base line run and a quick fire pass up to Mzimela waiting on the P, who confidently tapped in her shot to take the win for the local team.

 

After the game, Vice Captain for College, Emma Sharratt shared, “It was nice to get one back after loosing to Epworth last year.”

 

Adding to Sharratt’s sentiments, Kerry Lee Gaze, Coach for College said, “Great hockey, it was a competitive weekend and we ended against a competitive team in Epworth. It was fantastic all round!”

 

Durban Girls’ College improved on their 2018 placing and added their first bronze medal to their stats in their history at the tournament. They are the only team to have played all nine Grand Finals and have an impressive three golds, three silvers, two fourths and now a bronze medal.

 

Durban Girls’ College - Durban Central Regional Winner - Gold (2013, 2014, 2015), Silver (2012, 2016, 2017), Bronze (2019), Fourth (2011, 2018)

 

Epworth School finishes fourth overall in Grand Finals of SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge

Epworth School

In their second Grand Finals appearance at the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge, Epworth School finished fourth overall.

 

Representing the PMB Central Region, the team were drawn in Pool A where they took on St Mary’s DSG (Highway Regional Winners), Kokstad High School (Southern KZN Regional Winners), Ferrum High School (Northern KZN Regional Winners) and Wartburg Kirchdorf School (Umvoti, uThukela and Umzinyathi Regional Winners).

 

In their first game, they went 2 nil up against travelling team Kokstad College followed by 6 nil victory against Newcastle’s Ferrum. In Epworth’s third pool game they went 2 nil up against midland’s team Wartburg. In their final pool game they met defending champs, St Mary’s in a tough conclusion to their fabulous first day where they went down 2 nil.

 

Epworth’s day two of the tournament started in a Pietermaritzburg derby where they took on St Anne’s College in the first semi final. It was not to be Epworth’s time with St Anne’s Sophie Rebeck and Lusanda Mtshali netting two goals for their Hilton based team.

 

In the bronze medal game, Durban Girls’ College met Epworth School for the second year running at the Grand Finals. Only ten minutes were left when Grade 11 star, Bulelwa Mzimela was perfectly in place for a fantastic base line run and a quick fire pass up to Mzimela waiting on the P who confidently tapped in her shot to take the win for the local team.

 

Coach, Hayley Coombes enthused, “The weekend has been absolutely incredible. And SPAR - wow – thank you for reviving schoolgirls’ hockey. A tournament like this is something to look forward to and during the season we have worked hard for it. If this tournament wasn’t around, I don’t think it would make our season as exciting as it has been and what they put on for a weekend like this is just phenomenal. Since the regionals, we have been building up to this weekend so simply - thank you.”

 

Chatting about the bronze medal game, Coombes continued, “We haven’t played DGC this season so it always nice to play someone fresh. I think some very good hockey was played between the two schools, some exceptional individual play and some fantastic team play. It is never easy to lose but we have huge respect for DGC. We were thrilled to be in the bronze match and we will be back next year hopefully.”

 

Epworth School - Pietermaritzburg Central Regional Winner – Bronze (2018), Fourth (2019)

Kokstad College notched up their best result yet – sixth place overall in Grand Finals of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge,

Kokstad College

In their third appearance at the Grand Finals of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge, Kokstad College notched up their best result yet – sixth place overall.

 

Representing the Southern KZN Region, Kokstad came up against defending champs, St Mary’s DSG (Highway Regional Winners), Epworth School (PMB Central Regional Winners) and travelling teams Ferrrum High School from Newcastle (Northern KZN Regional Winners) and Wartburg Kirchdorf School (Umvoti, uThukela and Umzinyathi Regional Winners).

 

Kokstad had a challenging start to their Grand Finals meeting Epworth in their first game and going down 2 nil followed by a 3 nil lose to St Mary’s. In their third game, they managed to get their first goal in with a 1 nil win against Wartburg. In their final pool game on Saturday they took on Newcastle’s Ferrum where the score was level pegged with a 1 all draw after the final whistle.

 

On Sunday, in the cross pool playoff they took on fourth in Pool B, Felixton College. After full time the score was level with no goals finding the back of the box. In the only penalty shootout of the tournament, Felixton took the first round, 1 nil. In the second round both Kokstad and Felixton netted their shots so the score was 2-1 to Felixton. Kokstad luckily levelled the score in the third round and Felixton were not able to build on their advantage and missed their third penalty meaning the scoreline was level on 2 each after three attempts.

 

The game’s result moved to a sudden death scenario with Felixton taking the first run and charging into the D, moving the ball left trying to round the keeper and rolling the ball agonisingly over the baseline. Kokstad took to the spot and calmly scored their team’s third and winning goal.

 

In their final placing game, they took on Crawford La Lucia in the fifth and sixth positional placing games. Crawford La Lucia were on song finding the back of the box three times and claiming fifth, with Kokstad earning a splendid sixth overall.

 

Kokstad High School – Southern KZN Regional Winner – Sixth (2019), Seventh (2011), Eighth (2014)

 

Felixton College - takes a seventh at Grand Finals of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge.

Felixton College

In their second appearance, Felixton College improved considerably on their first results at the Grand Finals of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge.

 

Felixton met top teams Durban Girls’ College (DBN Central Regional Winners) and St Anne’s College (PMB North Regional Winners), together with Crawford La Lucia (DBN North Regional Winners) and Amanzimtoti High School (DBN South Regional Winners) in their pool games on Saturday. Starting off with a fantastic scoreline in a well fought game where they went 1 nil down against one times tournament winner’s St Anne’s from Hilton. In their second game they took on Amanzimtoti where they went 1 nil up where Cate Oxley netted her team’s first goal. Meeting Crawford La Lucia, Felixton let two goals slip past them ahead of yet another fantastic result in their last pool game, where they only let one goal go in against three times tournament winners, Durban Girls’ College.

 

On Sunday, in the cross pool playoff they took on third in Pool A, Kokstad College. After full time the score was level with no goals finding the back of the box. In the only penalty shootout of the tournament, Felixton took the first round, 1 nil. In the second round both Kokstad and Felixton netted their shots so the score was 2-1 to Felixton. Kokstad levelled the score in the third round and sadly Felixton were not able to build on their advantage and missed their third penalty meaning the scoreline was level on 2 each after three attempts.

 

The game’s result moved to a sudden death scenario with Felixton taking the first run and charging into the D, moving the ball left trying to round the keeper and rolling the ball agonisingly over the baseline. Kokstad took to the spot and calmly scored their team’s third and winning goal.

 

Coach for Felixton College, Marilise Kietzmann shared after the tournament, “I feel that overall we played really good hockey. We were in a tough pool and being a small school I believe that we definitely held our own.”

 

“We fought hard and were unlucky to lose our playoff game in a penalty shootout. The girls thoroughly enjoyed themselves and the tournament is a wonderful opportunity to be able to play against schools that we don’t have regular fixtures against. We look forward to hopefully being back next year.”

 

Felixton met Ferrum High School, winners of the Northern KZN Regional in the seventh position playoff where Josie Picton earned her team seventh place, two places higher than their first Grand Finals appearance of ninth last year.

 

Felixton College – North Coastal Regional Winner – Seventh (2019), Ninth (2018)

Wartburg Kirchdorf ends ninth overall in Grand Finals of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge

Wartburg Kirchdorf School

In their sixth appearance at the Grand Finals of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge, Wartburg Kirchdorf School ended ninth overall in the KZN tournament.

 

After missing last year, the Umvoti, uThukela and Umzinyathi Regional Winners came up against some serious opposition in their pool games on the first day. They were drafted in the same pool as defending champions, St Mary’s DSG (Highway Regional Winners), 2018 bronze medalists Epworth School (PMB Central Regional Winners) and travelling teams Ferrum High School from Newcaslte (Northern KZN Regional Winners) and Kokstad College (Southern KZN Regional Winners).

 

After a crushing start to their weekend, going down 6 nil against the defending champs, St Mary’s – the young team featuring no matric pupils drew their second game 1 all against Ferrum. Kokstad managed to get one up against the usually tight defence. In their last pool game, Wartburg took another knock with a 2 nil lose against eventual fourth placed Epworth.

 

Coach for Wartburg, Lisa Misselhorn enthused, “We are so thrilled to be back at the Grand Finals. It was an amazing, challenging and fun weekend with great team work and commitment. Spirits were high and everyone enjoyed the fantastic standard of hockey.”

 

In the cross pool playoff, Wartburg took on the south coast school, Amanzimtoti High School representing the Durban South Region. With efficient German tactics, the travelling team managed to get one goal finishing ninth overall.

 

Continuing, Misselhorn shared, “Overall we are incredibly content with our position as a young, up-and-coming team from a small and amazing school. Thank you to all sponsors and organisers and we look forward to the tenth year of this wonderful tournament.”

 

Wartburg Kirchdorf – Umvoti, uThukela and Umzinyathi Regional Winner - Fifth (2016), Sixth (2015), Seventh (2017), Eighth (2013), Ninth (2014, 2019)

 

 

Toti finishes eighth overall in SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge Grand Finals

Amanzimtoti High School

In their fifth appearance, Amanzimtoti High School finished tenth overall at the 99th overall tournament of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge.

 

Representing the Durban South Region, Toti met hockey giants Durban Girls’ College (Durban Central Regional Winners), St Anne’s College (PMB North Regional Winners), along with Crawford La Lucia (DBN North Regional Winners) and travelling team Felixton College (North Coastal Regional Winners) from Richard’s Bay.

 

In their first game the went down 1-0 against Richards Bay’s team Felixton. In their second game, they had four goals go in by Durban Girls’ College. In their third pool game, they lost 2 nil and had six goals scored in against eventual silver medalists St Anne’s in the last pool game on Saturday.

 

First team coach for Toti, Chris Clarke stated, “It was a very tough weekend for my girls. We were placed in an extremely tough group and my young team battled to match the pace of the other teams.”

 

In the cross pool playoff, Toti took on the German midlands school, Wartburg Kirchdorf School representing the Umvoti, uThukela and Umzinyathi Region. With efficient German tactics, the travelling team managed to get one goal in to earn ninth and Amanzimtoti finishing tenth overall.

 

Clarke concluded, “The weekend was a lovely learning experience for my girls and we will look forward to being back and better next year.”

 

Amanzimtoti High School – Durban South Regional Winner – Tenth (2015, 2016, 2017, 2019), Eighth (2018)

 

 -ends

SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge Wrap up for the 99th Tournament St Mary’s DSG, Kloof: 20 & 21 July

SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge

Wrap up for the 99th Tournament

St Mary’s DSG, Kloof: 20 & 21 July

 

Namibian Kiana Cormack netted a cracker of a goal that earned her team, St Mary’s DSG, the title of the 2019 SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge for the fifth time in a 1 nil win against St Anne’s College.

 

With just over 12 minutes in the second half remaining, Captain Cormack of the host school was lurking at the top of the castle ready to pounce on the injection of the second short corner of the game. After a clean stop the captain swung into action, firing in a tournament winning drag flick that rocketed into the top right hand corner beyond the out stretched gloves of St Anne’s keeper, Ella Thorburn.

 

A jubilant captain explained, “I don’t usually score drag flicks so this is the first tournament where I actually pulled it off. I wasn’t expecting it, nobody was but it felt right from the moment I released it and it was a phenomenal feeling watching it go.”

 

“We went out there knowing it was going to be a tough game – they always are against St Anne’s but it actually was a lot of fun, exciting and intense. For both teams there was some amazing moments of hockey and I don’t think any of us really knew we would take the win today!”

 

St Mary’s dominated most of the gold medal game, with St Anne’s getting a few runs down to the other end when they had space. In the first half a surge saw St Anne’s hitting the left upright with a drag flick attempt in the first five minutes of the game. In a last gasp attempt, Lusanda Mtshali broke away mid field, striding towards the circle. On the very tip of the circle, her charge was agonizingly stopped by a St Mary’s defender’s foot, the whistle blowing with 3 seconds on the clock. As the offence happened outside the circle, Mtshali’s valiant effort fell centimeters short from an extra time short corner.

 

In the bronze medal game, Durban Girls’ College met Epworth School for the second year running at the Grand Finals. Only ten minutes were left when Grade 11 star, Bulelwa Mzimela was perfectly in place for a fantastic base line run and a quick fire pass up to Mzimela waiting on the P who confidently tapped in her shot to take the win for the local team. College added to their impressive history in this tournament, notching up their first third this year after nine Grand Final appearances. Their name appears on the trophy three times and they also have three silvers and two fourths from previous years.

 

In the first semi final, St Anne’s met Epworth for an all round Maritzburg game. Sophie Rebeck and Lusanda Mtshali scored for St Anne’s giving them a 2 nil victory giving them their third opportunity in the main game at the Grand Finals. In the inaugural tournament in 2011, they earned themselves gold with a silver in last year’s tournament.

 

In the second semi final, St Mary’s took on local rival, Durban Girls’ College. College held off St Mary’s for most of the first half but in the final minute Cerian Fourie netted her team’s first. Cormack advanced the scoring to 2 nil and Fourie got her second of the game to take the game away from College with the final score of 3 nil.

 

After two days of diverse weather at the 99th overall KZN tournament, 29 games were played with a total of 72 goals being scored in 710 minutes of passionate first team schoolgirls’ hockey at its finest. The first tournament in 2020 rolls the tournament counter over to the milestone of 100.

 

For more info visit the tournament’s Facebook page.

 

Results

1 St Mary’s DSG, 2 St Anne’s College, 3 Durban Girls’ College, 4 Epworth School, 5 Crawford La Lucia, 6 Kokstad College, 7 Felixton College, 8 Ferrum High School, 9 Wartburg Kirchdorf School, 10 Amanzimtoti High School

 

ENDS

 

Namibian Helalia Johannes wins SPAR Women’s 10km Challenge in fastest time ever recorded in Africa.

 

SPAR Women’s 10km/ 5km Challenge

Durban, 23 June 2019

NAMIBIAN Helalia Johannes (Nedbank International) ran an incredible race in Durban on Sunday 23 June to win the SPAR Women’s 10km Challenge in 30 minutes 59 seconds (30:59), the fastest time over this distance ever recorded in Africa.

 

In doing so she also smashed the Namibian record for the third time in a matter of two months leaving junior international runner, 19-year-old Tadu Teshame (Ethiopia, Nedbank International), over one-and-a-half minutes (01:37) in her wake in 32:36 with former winner Irvette van Zyl (Nedbank) in third place a further 21 seconds adrift in 32:57.

 

Johannes added the Durban Challenge to the first two in the series of six races making up the SPAR Grand Prix, those in Port Elizabeth (May 4) and Cape Town (May 29), smashing the course records for these and also for the Durban Challenge course record of 31:38 that was set in 2000 by Colleen de Reuk.

 

The 38-year-old Johannes did not take long to assert her domination over the field of 14 751 runners after the start in front of the iconic Moses Mabhida Stadium in Masabalala Yengwa (NMR) Avenue taking the Ethiopian junior Teshame and Van Zyl with her but gradually leaving them behind as she continued to dominate the race going through the opening first kilometre in 3min 05sec.

 

By the 3km mark Teshame and Van Zyl no longer posed her a problem as she swept along the Snell Parade alongside the Durban beachfront and headed south towards the Kingsmead Cricket Stadium racing through the halfway mark (5km) in 15:26.

 

Johannes appeared to be enjoying her entourage of motorcyclists from the Steelwings Club on their Harley Davidsons ensuring her a safe passage throughout the 30th anniversary of the race which was the first one of the SPAR races to be held in 1989 and which carried a prize purse this year of R30 000 to commemorate it.

 

Johannes said afterwards that she had revelled in the perfect conditions that prevailed over the fast, flat 10km course and that she was happy to have done a personal best time.

 

She said she was sure more records would follow, but that she did not have any set plans for the immediate future. “We’ll  just have to wait and see where and when I will be running again. I have been improving my times steadily.”

 

Runner-up Teshame said: “We all knew Helalia would go out front and set a fast place and so I was prepared for it but it was impossible for anyone running yesterday to beat her.”

 

Van Zyl said: “She (Johannes) has raised the standard of women’s middle distance racing in a matter of a few weeks. It will be interesting to see what happens with the last three SPAR Grand Prix races being held at altitude, in Pretoria (August 3), Pietermaritzurg (August 18) and Johannesburg (October 6).

 

“Whatever, with bonus points offered for getting times better than last year’s winner’s time, elite runners will not want to miss any of these races if they are to be in the running for the Grand Prix overall winner’s purse of R185 000 with the runner-up receiving R65 000 and the third placed runner R40 000.

 

A whooping R30,000 was raised for the race charity, Cancer Association with a cheque being presented at prize giving.

 

Results

Open:

1.    1. Helalia Johannes (Nedbank) 30.59; 2. Tadu Nare (Nedbank) 32.36; 3. Irvette Van Zyl (Nedbank) 32.57; 4. Glenrose Xaba (Boxer) 33.22; 5. Janet Mbhele (Umzimkhulu Striders) 33.30; 6. Caroline Mhandu (Maxed Elite) 33:46 7. Kesa Molotsane (Myrray&Roberts) 33.49; 8. Betha Chikanga (Maxed) 34.04; 9. Oliva Chitate (Maxed) 34.21; 10. Patience Murowe (Umzimkhulu Striders) 34.27

 

Junior

1.   1.Nare Tadu (Nedbank) 32:36; 2. Tayla Kavanagh (Hillcrest Villagers Athletics club) 36:23; 3. Dipulo Mashishi (Murray & Roberts) 38:05

 

20-39

1. Helalia Johannes (Nedbank Namibia) 30.59; 2.Diana Lebo Phalula (Boxer) 34:59; 3. Makhosi Mhlongo (Hollywood bets Running Club) 35:15

 

40-49

1.   1. Bulelwa Semai (Boxer) 38:36; 2. Elizabeth Dlhiwayo (Run walk for life Rustenburg) 38:38; 3. Janene Carey (Boxer KZN) 40:22

 

50-59

1.   1.Judy Bird (Murry & Roberts) 41:10; 2. Michelle Sims (PDAC) 25:28; 3 Maya Lawire (Boxer) 41:26

 

60-69

1.Olga Howard (Nedbank) 44:54; 2. Blanche Moila (Savages) 48:14; 3. Colleen Peens (Team Vitality) 49:31

1.  

70+

1.Jackie Davis (Savages) 55:55; 2 Gillian Tregenna (Wings Athletics) 01:01:48; 3 Getrude Lottering (Boxer) 01:16:42

 

 

Road Closures & Parking For SPAR Women’s Challenge

Road Closures And Parking For SPAR Women’s Challenge

Participants and their supporters of the Durban SPAR Women’s 10/5km Challenge that takes place on Sunday 23 June around Jonsson Kings Park Stadium and Moses Mabhida stadium precinct are reminded to arrive early and plan their route to the race, and where they will park. As always there are a number of road closures that will affect access into the area.
The 10km race starts at 08:00 and the 5km at 09:30 on Masabalala Yengwa Avenue, outside Jonsson Kings Park Stadium outer fields.
Road Closures for Sunday 23 June 2019
From 02:00
• Snell Parade between Athlone Drive and the main entrance to Suncoast Casino.
• Battery Beach Road.
• Masabalala Yengwa Avenue between Smiso Nkwanyana Road and Isaiah Ntshangase Road.
• The South bound lane of Masabalala Yengwa Avenue between Smiso Nkwanyana Road and KE Masinga Road.
• Kingsmead Way and Eden Gardens Crescent
From 04:00
• KE Masinga Road (the 2 left lanes) between Eden Gardens Crescent and Masabalala Yengwa Avenue.
• Masabalala Yengwa Avenue between Argyle Road and Smiso Nkwanyana Road
• Somtseu Road at Masabalala Yengwa Avenue
From 06:00
• The West bound lane of Athlone Drive between Snell Parade and Masabalala Yengwa Avenue
• The off ramp from the M4 (Ruth First Highway) to Athlone Drive (in both directions)
Road Openings
• Roads will be opened as soon as possible after the last competitor has left that portion of the route and the cleaning team has ensured that there is no litter.
• Most roads will be reopened by 11:30.
FREE EVENT PARKING
• Access to the Parking on Jonsson Kings Park fields KP3, 4 and 5 will be via Smiso Nkwanyana Road into Jacko Jackson Drive. Note – once this area is full access will be limited to emergency and official vehicles only.
• Access to Jonsson Kings Park fields KP9 and KP10 will be via Umgeni Road to Isaiah Ntshangase Road and through the Virgin Active Parking area onto the fields.
• Parking on these fields is free.
ACCESS
• Access and egress to the Durban Country Club will be from the M4 (Ruth First Highway) Please note that Isaiah Ntshangase Road will be closed at (1) the entrance to Moses Mabhida Stadium and the entrance to Durban Country Club. There will be no through traffic at the intersection with Masabalala Yengwa Road.
• Access to the parking area at Sunkist will be by way of a stop/go system managed by Durban Metro Police.
• Access to People’s Park will be via Argyle Road onto a single lane of Masabalala Yengwa Avenue to Battery Beach Road intersection. Egress from People’s Park will be past Durmail using the back gate to Somtseu Road (Sasol Service Station near the station).
“It makes it so much easier for participants to plan their routes knowing which roads will be closed, and where they can park. We encourage people to access the parking and road closures maps on the website and social media pages,” says Race Director Brad Glasspoole.
Entries can be done online via the race website until 17 June for credit card and debit card payments. A manual entry option is available, subject to the limit of 15,000 not having been reached, at race registration which takes place at Hall 6 at the Durban Exhibition Centre on: Thursday, 20 June and Friday, 21 June from 10:00 to 17:00 and Saturday, 22 June from 10:00 to 15:00. All entrants will receive a promo bag at race registration.
To enter online or for more race information, www.sparwomensrace.co.za/durban.
For more information like the KZN SPAR Women’s Race Facebook page, Twitter and Instagram.

Brenda Mtambo to entertain at SPAR Women’s Challenge - Durban -Sunday 23 June

Media Release

Brenda Mtambo to entertain at SPAR Women’s Challenge

Jonsson Kings Park Stadium: Sunday 23 June

 

This year, to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the SPAR Women’s Challenge 10/5km, much-loved ‘soul sister’ Brenda Mtambo will take to the stage to entertain the crowds on Sunday 23 June at Jonsson Kings Park Stadium outer fields.

 

Mtambo is known for her powerful, soulful voice, having sung with the Multi Award Winner Gospel Group ‘’ Joyous Celebration’. She has worked closely on projects, tours and recordings with the likes of Lira, Judith Sephuma, Brian Thusi to name a few. In 2013 she released her debut album titled ‘inspired’ and as a result of the album’s success she has been invited to many festivals and events such as the Jazz on the Lake for Joburg Art Festival and the Durban Jazz Festival.

 

Ixesha Lami is Mtambo’s first single off her latest album “So Much More” which is described as “not only an anthem for women, but a song for everyone who’s just had enough of something that’s been working against their joy.”

 

‘So Much More’ is a departure from Mtambo’s gospel roots, allowing her to express her own distinctive Afro soul voice. The success of this album saw her being nominated against heavy weights in the category Best Urban Jazz and Best Female in the MMA16 Awards, SAMA 23 Nominee: Best R&B/Soul/Reggae Album SAMA 23 Nominee: Best Produced Album (Sipho Sithole) SAFTA Nominee: Best Afro Soul Album.

 

Mtambo promises to get the crowds moving and grooving from the stage at the finish line of this year’s 30th edition. Participants are encouraged to remain behind after the race, and enjoy the entertainment, as well as the official prize giving and the lucky draw where they will have a chance to win some fabulous prizes.

 

There is still a chance to register for this year’s challenge at Race Registration on Thursday 20 June and Friday 21 June from 10am – 5pm and on Saturday 22 June from 10am – 3pm at Hall 6, Durban Exhibition Centre.

 

For more information go to www.sparwomensrace.co.za/durban or on Facebook.

 

 

-ends

 

 

Applications open for JOMBA! Contemporary Dance Experience 2019 Fringe and Youth Fringe

Media Release

Applications open for JOMBA! Contemporary Dance Experience 2019

Fringe and Youth Fringe

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Applications are now open for the Fringe and Youth Fringe of the 16th JOMBA! Contemporary Dance Experience presented by the Centre for Creative Arts from 27 August to 8 September at the Elizabeth Sneddon and Open Air Theatres at Howard College Campus.

 

Professional, experimental and up-coming choreographers and dance companies are invited to apply for participation on the JOMBA! Fringe programme which takes place on 4 September.  There is space for a maximum of 8 works on this year’s fringe each 15 minutes long, and applicants are accepted based on first and foremost on the detail and clarity of the information supplied on the application form, and the suitability of the application in relation to the vision of JOMBA! Contemporary Dance Experience.

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The Fringe event comes with a “pick-of-the-Fringe” award Fringe, with a nominal cash honorarium and an invitation for the choreographer to present work on the JOMBA! platforms the following year. (Terms and conditions apply).

 

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The JOMBA! Youth Fringe is open to dancers under the age of 16 years old.  It is a support initiative for the various ‘Dance Development’ projects operating in our province (KZN) and provides a space to celebrate our up-and-coming generation of young contemporary dancers and dance practitioners.

 

The JOMBA! Youth Fringe has access to limited resources, and therefore applicants should be aware that the event takes place during the day with no lights, but there is sound, and stage management provided. The event, which takes place on Sunday, 1 September at 2pm is free to participants and the public.

 

Works submitted for consideration should not exceed a 6-minute duration, and the selection committee welcomes contemporary, traditional and popular dance forms onto its platform. (Terms and conditions apply).

 

Applications for both events close on Friday 14 June at 4pm

 

For application forms contact Clare Craighead – during office hours only  082 875 6065 or preferably at jombafestival@gmail.com  or download from the website www.jomba.ukzn.ac.za

SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge Northern KZN Coastal Regional Grantleigh College: Saturday 18 May 2019

SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge

Northern KZN Coastal Regional

Grantleigh College: Saturday 18 May 2019

 

Felixton College played out of their boots as they defended their Northern KZN Coastal Regional title in the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge on Saturday 18 May at Grantleigh College’s astro.

 

Felixton took on hosts, Grantleigh College in an energetic final that ended with the visitors going 3 goals up. Grantleigh started off strong, earning a short corner 3 minutes into the game with the first real chance at goals. Felixton’s back line were up for the task, not allowing the ball anywhere near the danger zone. 

 

Midway through the final, Kavilay Naidoo had a superb solo run down the right, but didn’t get beyond the Felixton 22. Netting the first two goals for the red team, Cate Oxley finally broke the deadlock with 7.56 minutes left of play. 40 seconds later, Felixton were again knocking on the door, with a shot fired in, pounding the back board – but on-the-spot umpire, Mari-Lee Visser deemed the shot to have been hit outside the circle, disallowing the attempt. 

 

Not letting the disappoint get to them, Felixton responded with a short corner. The ball was sent to the top of the field, cleverly the Felixton players skillfully moved the ball around when the ball eventually found Oxley, who had time to slap in her team’s second. 

 

Delivering the final blow, Josie Picton took the scoreline out of Grantleigh’s reach when she scored the third and final goal with 3 and a half minutes still on the clock. 

 

Going into the finals, Felixton’s keeper Rhaiya Naidu (18) stated that she hadn’t touched the ball the entire tournament, and her fantastic defenders prevented the ball from coming anywhere near the goals during the final, giving the matric pupil no work the entire day.

 

Leading up to the finals, Felixton – who finished on top of their pool, took on eShowe High School in the first semi-final. 3.57 into the game, Felixton opened their account during a short corner, where Captain Aphiwe Nene calmly slapped the ball in. Shortly after, Josie Picton who was camped right on the post, bravely positioned her stick and decisively diverted a rogue shot from Beth Oxley, who cannoned the ball from the top of the circle. Picton, was again well placed during a short corner as she injected the ball only to receive the ball from the top of the D, and knocked in Felixton’s third. As the clock wound down, star player Kayla Janse van Vuuren got her team’s fourth goal and a place in the finals. 

 

In the second semi-final, Grantleigh were made to work hard for their place in the final, when they took on Richard’s Bay Christian School. After 7 minutes, Grantleigh were awarded a short corner. The ball went to the top of the circle, dodging the first wave, the Grantleigh attack had plenty of time as there was no second wave charging down on them, the ball moved right, then across the goal mouth where Minya Geyser edged the ball across the line for the first goal. 

 

Grantleigh continued peppering the other goals with countless attacks but a Herculean effort from Richard’s Bay’s last stand, Lebogang Tlou who stood solid in her goals, only to remarkably let in 2 goals. Standing tall, the matric pupil had to face off 3 penalty flicks, the first two didn’t make it past her but Beth van Onselen found the right corner with her low flick, giving the home team a 2 nil win.

 

The Umpire for the Day award went to Visser who was representing Felixton. The young whistle blower was invited to officiate at the Grand Finals in 2016, and has been impressing as she is growing in confidence.

 

Wrapping up this year’s regionals, Felixton is the final team to earn a ticket to the Grand Finals that takes place on 20 & 21 July at St Mary’s DSG in Kloof. They join St Anne’s College (PMB North), Epworth (PMB Central), newcomer Crawford La Lucia (DBN North), Durban Girls’ College (DBN Central), Amanzimtoti High School (DBN South), Kokstad College (Southern KZN),  Ferrum High School (Northern KZN), Wartburg Kirchdorf (uMvoti, uThukela and uMzinyathi) and St Mary’s (Highway).

 

For more info like the tournament’s Facebook page or follow on Instagram.

 

Results:

1 Felixton College, 2 Grantleigh College, =3 eShowe High, =3 Richard’s Bay Christian School, =5 Empangeni High, =5 Curro Mt Richmore, 7 St Catherine’s School, =8 John Ross College, =8 Mandini Academy

 

ENDS