Tag: South Africa

Trophy tour honours original SA inhabitants

With less than a month to go to the Vitality Netball World Cup (VNWC2023) in Cape Town, the official Trophy Tour reached a particularly significant point on Monday.

Having travelled across the country over the last month, the famed trophy crossed from the Eastern to Western Cape provinces of South Africa – the Western Cape being its final destination before being handed to the VNWC2023 champions when they are crowned on 6 August.

Even more significant was that the handover took place at the Tsitsikamma Khoisan Village – so honouring the indigenous inhabitants of South Africa. The Khoikhoi and San are believed to be among the oldest cultures in the world.

Apart from its pristine beaches, the Tsitsikamma area is well-known for its enticing tourist attractions, including one of the highest bungee jumps in the world at the majestic Bloukrans Bridge, and the Tsitstikamma Canopy Tours through Outeniqua Yellowwood trees that are up to 700 years old.

After a special celebration in Kareedouw with dignitaries, cultural groups and performances by local entertainers on Monday, the NWC trophy was taken to the Tsitsikamma Khoisan Village where Eastern Cape MEC for Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture Nonceba Kontsiwe officially completed the handover to Anroux Marais, the Western Cape Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport. 

“The Western Cape Government is very happy and honoured to receive this trophy and to embark on a tour across our province to get all communities excited for the Netball World Cup,” said Marais.

“Cape Town is ready and looking forward to hosting the Netball World Cup for the very first time on African soil.

“Although all the matches are being played in Cape Town itself, we want to include the whole province in the build-up and actual tournament and so we are very happy that various municipalities have partnered with us to host fan zones and viewing centres.

“These will ensure that people across the province can watch the live matches for free at a venue close to their homes.

“During this trophy tour, we will also encourage people to watch the matches at these venues so that we can make sure that no-one is left out in supporting our home team,” added Marais.

The VNWC2023 takes place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre from 28 th July to 6 August 2023, with 16 teams from across the globe all vying for top honours.

Details on tickets and travel packages and more information are all available on the official tournament website (www.nwc2023.org.za) with a range of tickets and packages still available.

Photos courtesy Chris van Gass

‘SA can win medal’ – 2019 MVP Pretorius

"sa can win-medal" - 2019 mvp pretorius

Netball stars around the world are wrapping up their final preparations ahead of the Vitality Netball World Cup 2023, which gets under way next month in Cape Town.

One player who is relishing the prospect of performing in front of a home crowd if selected for South Africa is Karla Pretorius – the world-renowned defender who claimed the Most Valuable Player accolade at the last Netball World Cup, Liverpool 2019.

Since then she has given birth to her first child, a daughter Kara, and made a return to the court for her first season back with the Sunshine Coast Lightning in Australia’s Suncorp Super Netball league.

“I’ve really valued the time that I had away from netball and coming back I was really excited and looking forward to the challenge, but also just playing again,” she said of her return to the court.

“Up to now, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed playing again, which is a good sign that one should continue doing it.” 

Pretorius looks back with pride on the last Netball World Cup in 2019 when the Proteas enjoyed an impressive run to the semi-finals, where they very narrowly lost out on a place in the final to Australia.

“It was a great honour being named player of the tournament. 

“Obviously you go out and just focus on the processes as you want to be the best you can be for your team,” said the 33-year-old. 

“I know back then it was just doing the work and doing what I could control and then when you get awards like that it’s really just special. 

“It is obviously a great honour to have received it, knowing I’m South African and knowing that I’m representing so much more than myself,” added Pretorius, who explained the secret behind her success. 

“I think what makes a good defender is someone who can adapt to whatever is presented. Knowing that netball is a very attacking game, you need to react to what the attackers give you, so it’s adapting but also dictating, if I can say it like that – adapting in order to counter them.”

While Pretorius is looking forward to hopefully being given the chance to perform in front of family and friends, she’s also been telling her Aussie teammates what they can expect from a first Netball World Cup to ever be held on African soil.

“Some of the things I’ve been telling my Australian teammates is just that it’s going to be very different to what they’ve experienced in other countries. 

“I think in South Africa we have that diverse feeling of different cultures and it’s going to be very loud. It’s definitely going to be something that they haven’t experienced before,” she said.

Pretorius is also thrilled with what a home Netball World Cup can do for the sport in South Africa.

“I think it’s great for women in sport that South Africa is hosting the Vitality Netball World Cup 2023. If you look at the Cricket World Cup that took place earlier this year, I think it just shows how much it means for women in sport. 

“And this time around it’s going to be the same and then taking it even further for the game of netball. It’s good to just get the awareness out there and bring a lot of hope to women in sport, also allowing the opportunity for it to grow even further.”

As for what the Proteas can achieve at the Vitality Netball World Cup 2023, Pretorius’s response was short and to the point: “I definitely think we can end up on the podium.”

The Proteas will begin their campaign on 28 July against Wales before also facing Sri Lanka and Jamaica in the first preliminary stage. The World Cup 2023 runs from 28 July to 6 August at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.

Mural unveiling at Stephen Reagan Sport Complex..

Mural unveiling at Stephen Reagan Sport Complex 6

 

Q&A with South Africa captain Bongi Msomi

Ahead of the Netball World Cup 2023 we caught up with host nation South Africa’s captain, Bongi Msomi. 

We asked her how she was feeling ahead of the Netball World Cup 2023, and what she would recommend to those visiting South Africa to do while they are there.   

Do you feel more pressure with it being a home World Cup?

We have played in Netball World Cups away from our country; we can’t feel pressure about coming home.  When you are home you know that there are people that you love, and there’s definitely kids that we have coached out there watching. 

How is important is the event to the rest of the country and the continent? 

This event is very important, I think to Netball South Africa and for netball at large in Africa, this is the best event.  Obviously, we know the more we play in these events, the more our sport gets promoted, and we are hoping that more companies and sponsors are going to come on board now that we are hosting the event. It really is just one of the biggest events for netball.

Letsatsi has been revealed as the mascot of the event and everyone is excited to meet her. What is she like? 

I have met Letsatsi, I think she is just one of the most exciting mascots. We have had time to take pictures with her, and to walk around with her and she is just so fun!

For those visiting in July, what is a tourist spot that they should visit?  

Table Mountain! 

Is there a hidden spot within South Africa that you think the Netball Family should also visit?

Kruger National Park!

If you are not playing netball in Cape Town, how do you spend the day?

In bed first! Then probably just wander round by the sea and I will probably go to Table Mountain!

Do you have a message for the Netball Family, ahead of the Netball World Cup 2023?

The World Cup year is here, the Netball year! 2023 is going to be lit, don’t miss out! 

If Bongi has left you feeling inspired and you want to attend the Netball World Cup 2023 in Cape Town, you can purchase your tickets or travel packages, here through this website.