The Eastern Cape Department of Education in collaboration with the Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture hosted the Provincial Schools Winter Championships in East London with the aim of improving and promoting sports development and education. The collaboration will lead to the development of policies, programs, and initiatives that support the growth of sports, arts, and culture in the Eastern Cape.

According to Makhaya Kibbo Dlanga, Provincial Coordinator for School Safety and Learner Enrichment, the School Safety unit prioritizes learner enrichment programs like sports and the South African Schools Choral Eisteddfod (SASCE). “We need to ensure that our learners are transported and accommodated by responsible and considerate individuals. The school safety unit ensures that all factors, including transportation and accommodation, are taken into consideration.” Emphasized Kibbo!

This event aims to Promote Physical Education, Encourage physical activity and healthy lifestyles among students. Develop Teamwork, Skills Foster collaboration, communication, and problem-solving skills through team sports. Identify Talent, Scout for talented young athletes and provide opportunities for development.

The collaboration between the two departments highlights their commitment to supporting education and sports development in the Eastern Cape province.

Speaking to Andile Nogaga, Acting Chief Education Specialist for Education Social Support Services in Nelson Mandela Bay, he highlighted the unit's core objective in being part of the games. “We're hosting winter championships for sports codes like rugby, soccer, and netball, with our learners set to represent the province at the national championships in Durban this July,' says Nogaga.

He further emphasized the inlusivity of the games ,"These winter games are inclusive of leaners with disabilities as they are involved in Netball, they are also contributing towards the holistic development of our learners so that they are developed in all the aspects of learning. This initiative done by the Department of Education ensures that these learners are holisticly developed," Nogaga concluded.