First Vhembe team at SACSSA athletic championships

Date: 12 October 2023 By: Anton van Zyl

History was made last month when a team from Vhembe travelled to the Msunduzi Athletics Stadium in Pietermaritzburg to participate in the athletics championships of the Southern Africa Christian Schools Sport Association (SACSSA).

This was the first year that a local team was selected to participate in the competition. It follows the formation of the Vhembe Independent Christian Schools Sport Association (VICSSA). VICSSA was formed by a local independent school, Champions Combined Academy, and another local school, Emmanuel Christian School, joined later.

The VICSSA team consisted of 26 athletes who competed against more than 1,000 athletes from independent Christian schools nationwide, each within their own region or province. Some teams that came from Zimbabwe and Namibia also took part.

VICSSA performed well above expectations, considering that this was their first year of competing at this level. The team from Vhembe ended in 10^th place overall out of 14 teams and even brought home some medals.

“The dream is that other independent schools join us as we grow.  This opportunity gives our independent school students and home-school academies the sporting platform they have never had,” said one of the teams’ organiser, Mr Gerhard Roos. He added that any independent school in the Vhembe region can join VICSSA, provided they comply with the SACSSA Code of Conduct. Home schoolers are also welcome.

For more information, Gerhard can be contacted at 071 115 9231.

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Anton van Zyl

Anton van Zyl has been with the Zoutpansberger and Limpopo Mirror since 1990. He graduated from the Rand Afrikaans University (now University of Johannesburg) and obtained a BA Communications degree. He is a founder member of the Association of Independent Publishers.

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