Addressing Jendamark United Cricket Club at their end of season awards function.

Programmer Director,

Julius Majola, President of Jendamark CC

Patrick Mengu, VC President & Chairman of the disciplinary committee

Gerald Majola, Chairman & Head of Cricket Operations

Sandiswa Diba, Head of Ladies Cricket

EXCO members and Jendamark United Cricketers

Distinguished guests

Comrades, friends, ladies and gentlemen:

I am privileged to take this opportunity to convey my humble appreciation of the honour extended to me by the community of Jendamark United Cricket Club, led by Gerald Majola, as he elected me to be the guest speaker of this historic moment at this iconic club that embodies the finest traditions of cricket in our country.

The Eastern Cape region is regarded as the home of cricket and rugby, particularly black cricket and rugby. The game of cricket was played during the height of colonial rule in the late 1800s from Port Elizabeth, East London, Alice & Fort Beaufort. Clubs like Jendamark United (formerly known as New Brighton Cricket Club in the 60s) became the home for rugby and cricket pioneers — Eric Majola, Silas Nkanunu, Danny Jordan, Max Jordan, Dan Qeqe, Charles Notoza, Sidima Dwesi, Mandla Tisane, Winky Ximiya, Thandi Orleyn’s father (C. T Orleyn) and the famous Tozie. In addition, these clubs did not only produce cricketers they produced leaders of society from people who served in the church, CEO’s (Saki Macozoma) and government Ministers (Thulas Nxesi among others). These men were heroes and were heroic in their behavior — constantly fighting for non-racialism in sport and producing excellence on the field . They not only talked the talk, they walked the walk. We should constantly remember their good deeds because without their tireless efforts — we are nothing. It is in this context, we must acknowledge and pay tribute to these men because what Jendamark United cricket club has achieved in the season of 2016/2017, by becoming the first Township team to win the premier league was a vision and mission crafted in their image.

I had the privilege of browsing through the chairman’s report, and I couldn’t help but marvel at the achievements of this club for this particular season. I come from Soweto cricket club. And Soweto is a philosophical extension of Jendamark United Cricket Club, because men like Khaya Majola who played a key role in growth of United were the founding fathers of my club. For the longest of times it was Soweto Cricket Club’s dream to become what Jendamark United Cricket Club is today. A township club dominating the premier league and all the other leagues, with good governance structures, capable of attracting sponsors who become lifetime partners, good moral values underpinned by a religious foundation, a club that promotes women in sport and more importantly has a ‘pipeline for development of cricket from grassroots through the club and provincial levels’.

(Mr Chair you make a critical omission in your report: the national level. The good work in place at this club has to produced national heroes like Tozie, Eric and many more mentioned above). South African cricket is yearning for black heroes and winning the premier league is a good signal that the produce or the next generation of Proteas will come from this Iconic institution: Jendamark United cricket club.

I know the club has players who are capable of becoming national heroes. Judging by your report there’s no shortage of flair and self-expression (Athi Magijima is a swashbuckler of note: ubabethela enkomini!!!). More importantly, players are scoring 100s and taking 5-fivers. To the players, you are responsible for the clubs success and ensuring that the good values that the club hinges on, are passed on from one generation to the next. The energy I have witnessed in this hall and from reading about the journey of the club in the last four years, it is visible to all that there is a ‘collective effervescent’ that is galvanising this club to new heights.

Let me repeat: this is a great moment in the history of cricket in South Africa. Tonight is a reminder of the clubs institutional memory and capacity.

Thabo Mbeki reminds us: “Gloom and despondency have never defeated adversity. Trying times need courage and resilience. Our Strength as a people is not tested during best of times. We should never become despondent because the weather is bad, nor should we turn triumphalist because the sunshines”.

This club, together with black clubs across South Africa, have gone through trying times but we have never given up despite how waning our structures and commitment to the cause might have been. However, today we celebrate the success of Jendamark United Cricket club. And it is fitting that this Club is the first among township clubs to go the Clubs Championships given its illustrious history and role within cricket. It is indeed my hope that this moment in history ushers a new era that invigorates and energizes the black community to take the lead role in the development and growth of cricket.

Dare I say it: black clubs are the cornerstone of our national game!

The sun is shining on you tonight, you should not turn triumphalist. As the sun rises tomorrow new challenges will be upon us. The short-term to dominate the following season 2017/2018. The medium term to go and win Club Championships. The long term to sustain the standard of excellence you have set and to produce national heroes.

Without taking anymore of your time, let’s celebrate tonight with song and dance and drink until we marry.

I thank you for your attention.