As one of several indigenous sports, jukskei is becoming popular among black South Africans Marianne Merten The Voortrekkers may have claimed jukskei as their own, but the first hesitant moves are under way to popularise the throwing game of 18th century Cape transport drivers among black South Africans. Although many regard the game as a boeresport, it has been identified as one of the seven indigenous games to feature in South Africa’s first national competition planned for 2002. The first trek by jukskei old hands to Cape Town was cancelled at the last minute two Saturdays ago leaving a group of 100 aspirant black jukskei players stranded in Ottery, a former white middle-class area. A local Democratic Alliance councillor heard of the visit and warned against it because the area was too dangerous. “It would have been very irresponsible from our side having children on the pitch when there is crime on the sideline,” explained Western Province Jukskei Association representative Alta van Zyl. However, cultural divides were finally crossed last Saturday when a group of 12 black future jukskei teachers arrived for a train-the-trainers session in Bellville East, a former white Afrikaans suburb. There were smiles all round on the pitch, and black and white alike enjoyed the pies that were served during the training session. The Afrikaans coach smiled and apologised in advance for any mistakes he would make as he had never taught the game in English. “It’s very new to us. We are very excited and look forward to it being included in the indigenous games,” said Van Zyl. The association has 200 members in the peninsula, including a senior woman and several under-18s who have won Springbok colours. Since 1998 the association has invited schools from disadvantaged communities to its open days. But until this outreach initiative few have taken up the offer. One who did, a schoolboy from Kraaifontein, proved his mettle within months and remains a regular contestant. Good relations between jukskei enthusiasts from both sides of the track have been established. At least one participant at the development programme is thinking of setting up the first Cape Flats jukskei club. “It was their first time to make African people part of their [game] development. It was really a big step. You cannot force people to go to communities where they are not comfortable,” said Western Cape indigenous games coordinator Zandisile Bassie. Jukskei originates from transport drivers who, after unyoking their oxen, used parts of the yoke for the game. In the 1800s the Voortrekkers took the game north. It was played as lunch-hour recreation at wine-seller KWV near Paarl and the first rules were written by hand under a lamppost in the town during 1939. In 1940 the South African Jukskei Board was established and the first national championships were played the following year. Today there are 22 associations, annual national events at Kroonstad and international tournaments with Zimbabwe and Namibia. Anyone disillusioned with cricket in the wake of various match-fixing sagas could consider jukskei. The aim is to hit what look like two cricket bats stuck in a sand pitch from various angles and a distance determined by the age and gender of the players. The skei, a hard rubber stub shaped like a bottle, is thrown at the target and can be tossed by anyone, from preschool children to the aged. From next week the Western Cape Department of Sports will hold workshops in Manenberg, Athlone, Langa, Nyanga, Mitchells Plain and Mfulweni to prepare for the provincial indigenous games early next year. And jukskei will definitely be on the agenda. Other indigenous games to feature are dibeke also known as skanunu, or on the Cape Flats as niekkies; morabaraba; kgati, also known as ntimo or ugqaphu; ncuva or moruila; kho-kho; and diketo. Later this month the national and provincial sport departments are meeting to discuss plans for the indigenous games. Much of the organisation is left to the provinces, but the national Ministry of Sport and Recreation has set aside money for the national 2002 games.