As we bid farewell to 2024, we look back at some of the movers and shakers that helped to make the year memorable, on and off the pitch.
Big wins, milestone anniversaries and record-breaking performances were the order of the day with an array of sportsmen and women, young and old, continuing to impress.
Among the notable success stories of the year is that of FC Tafelzucht who impressed with friend and foe, as they made a clean sweep across various divisions and competitions in the Mitchell’s Plain LFA and earned themselves a spot in this year’s Coke Cup final.
On the athletics front, former Parkhurst Primary School sprinter Lamicah Adamson, 12, now representing Curro Primary Durbanville and the Cape metropole’s northern suburbs school district, was among the top performers at the Western Province primary schools’ athletics championships, at Dal Josafat Stadium in Paarl.
The lanky teen stood head and shoulders above her rivals, breaking records in the girls’ under-12 150m and 100m sprints as well as in the long jump event. She also helped her team win gold in the girls’ under-12 4x100m relay.
She was not the only speedster from the area who did well, as Zozibini Mpako, 9, from Montclair and a Grade 4 pupil at Ridgeville Primary School, in Westridge, showed her rivals a clean pair of heels in the girls’ under-10 100m sprint at the Western Cape Primary School’s athletic championships, at Dal Josafat Stadium in Paarl.
Mitchell’s Plain homeboy, Faeez “Troublemaker” Jacobs let his fists, knees and feet do the talking as he beat Vincent Bembe with a second-round submission win, to be crowned EFC bantamweight world champion, in Johannesburg, in September.
A younger generation of fighters, representing Mitchell’s Plain Kickboxing Club and the province, also performed well, winning gold, silver and bronze in various divisions at the Kickboxing Organisation South Africa (Kosa) open championships, in George.
But alas, as far as combat sports are concerned, we kicked off the year on a sad note with news of the passing of renowned boxing official, Eddie Marshall, from Portland, who has been hailed as an outstanding referee, mentor and friend.
Small in stature, Marshall was considered a giant in boxing circles – and a pioneer of generations for officials and boxers.
Tributes came pouring in from around the world as those who had been touched by his humble spirit and passion for his sport reflected on his legacy.
More sad news followed with the untimely death of promising soccer player, Luke Fleurs, 24, who was killed during a hijacking in Johannesburg in April. Family, friends and fans of the star player, who at the time was signed to Kaizer Chiefs, were left devastated and searching for answers.
On the schools’ sports front, the JP21 Foundation and Run4Schools celebrated their 10th and 20th anniversaries respectively. Former Cape Cobras and Protea batsman, JP Duminy,established his Foundation a decade ago to promote cricket in primary schools and has seen the programme evolve to include more than 30 primary schools in its daily activities.
Run4Schools (R4S) founder Leslie Pangemanan, fuelled by his passion for Mitchell’s Plain, has dedicated the better part of the last two decades to establishing fully-fledged sports development programmes at four schools in Mitchell’s Pain.
In June, young pool players from Mitchell’s Plain and Delft took part in the World Eight Ball Pool Federation (WEPF) world championships, in Blackpool, England.
Squad members met at Ultimate Pool Centre, in Bellville, ahead of their departure for the United Kingdom. Under-18 squad member, Toufeeq Murray, 16, and Marchelino James, from New Woodlands, took part in a tournament with prize money worth a whopping R250 000. Both made it through to the Top 8 with James finishing in third place.
Women’s team squad member, Naathierah Taliep, from Portland, caught the eye as she finished runner up in the women’s doubles final, along with teammate Tasneem Solomons, from Bonteheuwel.
Portland High speedster Saadiqah Corbett, 18, an all-round sporty girl, from Tafelsig and a member of the Western Province under-18 girls’ side that went unbeaten the SA Rugby Youth Week, at Jeppe High, in Johannesburg, in July, was named back line player of the tournament; named in the SA under-18 Elite side; and awarded a partial bursary to attend the University of Johannesburg on completion of her schooling.
In August, Westridge siblings Mughammad Arnold, 14, and his younger brother Mughammad Yaqeen, 10, dominated their divisions at the Western Province Track Cycling final league race at Bellville Velodrome, both winning their respective divisions.
More than 1 300 runners lined up on Caravelle Street for the 12th edition of the Mitchell’s Plain Titans Athletic Club’s 10km run on Saturday November 23. This year’s event aimed to be an all-inclusive affair with a number of wheelchair-bound athletes taking part.
In December, Mitchell’s Plain karate expert Jeffrey Jackson, 49, was elected president of the Karate Association of Cape Town Unicity (KACTU), saying he will prioritise looking out for students from disadvantaged communities in the Cape Metropole.
