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Lynnia Ndlovu in Gwanda
THE national Paralympic Games were officially launched by the Minister of Sports and Recreation Makhosini Hlongwane on Friday at Gwanda District Club. The Minister of Rural Development and Preservation of National Cultural Heritage Abednigo Ncube pledged $300 towards the games. The Province raised $2 440, $250 was in cash, while the rest were pledges.
The Provincial Administrator Midard Khumalo pledged $400, Gwanda Mayor Knowledge Ndlovu pledged a beast and Commissioner Mike Ndubiwa pledged $500.
Minister Ncube advised the organising team to look for more donations from businesspeople, gold miners and panners because they were wealthy people and could contribute a lot in terms of resources.
“Some of us are just MPs and we do not have much money. There are businesspeople who can donate a lot out there. The PA must invite miners and panners, set a meeting with them and kindly ask them to donate towards the games. Don’t under-estimate these panners, I assure you we are going to get much because these people have a lot of resources,” added Ncube.
Hlongwane said he was grateful that he spent the whole day in Gwanda, a town he applauded for its hardworking people.
“It was a revelation that I spent my day in Gwanda, the province which has people who are hard working,” said Hlongwane.
He challenged the province to host the best games ever and encouraged them to keep on contributing and putting their maximum co-operation towards the event.
“I wish the province all the best, you have the capacity to make the games an envy to the nation as a whole if you continue working together. Therefore I declare the Paralympic games officially launched,” said Hlongwane.
The games were rescheduled to 5 to 9 April from 31 March to 4 April.
derick.khumalo