Mguqulwa elected as chairperson of Western Province Youth Association at AGM
Youth Cricket in not only the heartbeat of the game in Western Province; it has also been an award-winning, pulsating part of the winning recipe of the Cape Cobras' ten domestic titles the past eight years as the pipeline-structures have been superb, says Clinton du Preez, amateur cricket manager of the Western Province Cricket Association.
Du Preez was one of the talismanic figures behind the WP's club cricket- and the HUBS/RPC-program claiming the number-1 positions nationally on the Cricket South Africa incentive scorecard.
He was at the helm when the Western Province Youth Cricket Association's annual general meeting took place on Wednesday. Fezile Mguqulwa was elected as chairperson of the association and Rodney They as vice-chairperson. The additional members are: Stanley Maqubela, Johannes Adams, Leslie Appollis, Mzolisi Marwanqa, Luthando Mzisi, Bulelani Libazi, Karlien Scholtz and Goolam Jaffer
"It is great to see some new faces on the committee and we are looking forward to their input and energy as we strive to continue the growth and sustain youth cricket in the province," Du Preez said. "Our direct mandate is to ensure that the establishment of the district committees are driven vigorously," he added.
"We welcomed the robust discussions and were encouraged by the vision and passion of our delegates.
" I would like to thank our stakeholders for their continued support and dedication to the development of cricket in the province, as without their support we would not be able to sustain our continued success on and off the field.
"We would like to wish our committee well for the ensuing season and looking forward to greater steps in the benefit of our youth," he added.
Youth Cricket in the Western Province has unearthed some superb players the past decade and the establishment of the Newlands high school will no doubt add to the depth and reserve strength of the province, Du Preez remarked.
He said Western Province is more dedicated than ever to extend and grow the pool of emerging black African players in the province to ensure that the Western Cape contributes richly to a national game of winners.
Beresford Williams, the president, said WPCA is determined to ensure they produce players and teams that can compete with the very best in the game. The balance between mass participation and high performance must be found to ensure performance excellence.
"We can achieve it. We can also improve our communication on our sustainable pipeline, while implementing performance plans to assist young aspiring cricketers," Williams added.
WPCA reaches out to Saartjie Baartman Centre as part of women's month initiative
Female staff members of the Western Province Cricket Association (WPCA) paid a visit to the women at the Saartjie Baartman Centre in Manenberg on 18th August and presented them with toiletries and other necessities as part of a social responsibility initiative during women's month.
Jasmiena Davids, Marketing Manager of WPCA, said: "Our intention was to offer them practical gifts as a gesture of compassion to touch the hearts and the lives of the women at the Saartjie Baartman Centre in a tangible way. Through this gesture, we communicated our care as a family during women's month."
Sanitary towels, soap, face cloths, tissues, and body lotion are amongst the every-day necessities that was handed over at the Centre in Klipfontein Road, Manenberg.
"These gifts were shared with the women and children in our personal capacities and were done to showcase our solidarity with them," Davids said.
The Saartjie Baartman Centre for Women and Children is a one-stop centre for women and children who are survivors of abuse. Their vision is the creation of a safe and secure society and a human rights culture where women and children are empowered to exercise their full skills.
Nabeal Dien, chief executive officer of the WPCA, said sharing and caring for poor and deprived members of the society is not an option but an imperative. "We arguably have the most passionate following of die-hard fans in the country. They are devoted to a winning team; we are devoted to inspire them on the field and to make a difference in their every-day lives off it when and where we can," he added.
"We have often through social interventions, like reaching out to the homeless on Mandela Day, showed our compassion as a Western Province cricket family, and we are delighted to be involved again," Dien added.
WP supremes salute special feats during turbulent year
A determined and spirited effort – that is how the chief executive officer of the Cape Cobras, Nabeal Dien, described the remarkable recovery by the Western Province Cricket Association (WPCA) in erasing debt of R5.1 million in the absence of a team sponsor, while also reducing the historic debt level by R1.3 million.
Dien also announced at the annual general meeting of the WPCA that the Cape Cobras had secured a team naming right sponsor for one year from 1st May 2016.
The chief executive officer also outlined a ten-point strategic plan focused on streamlining the approach to amateur development and a more active marketing drive for the team, stadium and amateur programs.
Dien announced WPCA's intent to formulate a commercial plan for the stadium and a planned overhaul of financial contracts.
"The 2015/2016-season was the first one since unity was established in 1991/1992 that a team sponsor was not on board. It resulted in a R5.1 million deficit. WPCA, through various commendable initiatives, managed to generate the income to break even," said Dien.
"We also reduced the long-term debt by R1.3 million," he added.
Dien paid special tribute to the boardnd the independents.
"To the WPCA board members and in particular the independents, thank you for your surgical interventions in assisting with improving particularly the governance and financial areas of the organization," Dien said.
Beresford Wiliams, the WPCA-president, commended the vigilance of the board members and the determination and dedication of the CEO and his operational team for their efforts in allowing the WPCA to survive a year in troubled waters. He also highlighted the fact that WPCA has secured profit for the year of R2 273 629,00.
Williams applauded the provincial women's team for winning the national 50-over tournament in Bloemfontein and for obliterating all-comers in the T20-campaign.
He also saluted WP's club cricket and the HUBS/RPC-program for claiming the bragging rights and number-1 position nationally on the CSA incentive scorecard.
The president said the failure of the Cape Cobras to lift a trophy last season should not be dismissed easily.
A SWOT-analysis is needed on why there were so many close tussles, yet so few ecstatic moments.
"Transformation remains our most challenging task and our efforts to advance change now and not tomorrow is a critical agenda objective," he said.
If WPCA fail to seize the day now in terms of transformation, future generations will judge them harshly, he warned.
Decorated Magiet believes SA has talent to reach summit of cricket
The art of reverse swing, the gift of talent spotting, the ability to empower young cricketers and the compassion for needy communities were and are part of the persona of Rushdi Magiet, one of the most decorated former cricketers in South Africa.
He has received the ultimate cricketing accolade – the life-time achievement award – on two occasions.
The 73-year old was acknowledged for his contribution to South African cricket over a period of more than four decades when he received the esteemed prize at the Cricket South Africa (CSA) awards ceremony on Tuesday 26th July.
His contemporaries and fans of Western Province remembered his exploits for the provincial team which spanned almost a decade between 1971/72 and 1980/81 in which he scored 917 runs in 37 matches and took 109 wickets with a best of 10-56.
Magiet might not have conceptualized the art of reverse swing at pace, but he almost mastered it. When he was in his pomp, he had few equals. His 109 wickets came at an average of 13.63 and an economy rate of 1.83, while his strike-rate of 44.5 was up there with the finest.
He was a member of the South African selection committee from 1991 to 2001 and was chairman of the committee from 1999 to 2001.
During that era, only Australia was able to compete with South Africa. The Baggy Greens were imperious in that era, specifically from 1995 to 2001, but South Africa, spearheaded by Allan Donald with support from Jacques Kallis, Herschelle Gibbs, Makhaya Ntini and Shaun Pollock, asked probing questions.
Magiet, the late Khaya Majola and Dr Ali Bacher were inspirational figures in rolling out the KfC Mini-cricket initiative which are part of the rhythm and heart-beat as a development sports programme in South Africa which reached even the remotest rural areas after unification in 1991.
Magiet possesses that rear eye to spot unique talent.
He told some friends when he saw JP Duminy at the age of nine at an net practice in Roeland Street that the middle-order batsman would represent South Africa one day.
When Duminy scored that superb unbeaten 50 at the WACA, followed by a magnificent 166 at the MCG in 2008 to propel South Africa to a series-win against Australia, the visionary Magiet's prophetic words was vindicated.
In 2015, he also received a life-time achievement award from the minister of sport and recreation, Fikile Mbalula.
Magiet was a graduate in social work from the University of the Western Cape and practised in that field from 1964 to 1982.
He served as full-time administrator, selector and development manager until his retirement in 1999 and then succeeded Peter Pollock as chairman of selectors.
During the 1980's, he was a member of Western Province's executive and was appointed as treasurer of the Board in 1989.
CSA appointed him as match referee and he also served on the body's restructuring committee from 2012 to 2013.
One of 21 recipients of the Mayoral medal in 2009, Magiet was honoured for his civilian work in establishing of 12 soup kitchens across the Cape Flats which fed 4000 people twice a week.
Despite physical ailments, Magiet is undaunted and is continuing the social work in touching communities who is in need of nutrition and upliftment.
"I have travelled six hours on a Monday and it was tough on my knee but I have mentored somebody else to complete the delivery and I pay him to do the work (of the soup kitchens) physically," said Magiet.
The long-term administrator was humbled by Tuesday's accolade: "I just feel honoured to receive the life-time achievement award of CSA. It is an acknowledgement for all the efforts that I have put in over the years to establish cricket."
Probed about the future of South African cricket, Magiet said: "South Africa possesses a rich talent pool in sport, but we must attempt to identify those ball-players lure them to cricket. Some of them are drawn to baseball or rugby or other sports.
"Our challenge is to make it attractive for them to play the game. That is why mini-cricket is so important. It is such a popular festival. We must ensure that many of our scouts attend the mini-cricket festival.
"We have the talent to get back to the summit of test cricket. We must just have the spirit to play for one another," Magiet added.