Ngwenya, Jagasur honoured as Team SA flag bearers at AUSC Region 5 Youth Games

Tennis player Simphiwe Ngwenya and karate’s Nyska Jagasur were named as flag bearers for Team SA at the opening ceremony of the Region 5 Youth Games in Windhoek on Friday.

“Congratulations to Simphiwe and Nyska. To Team South Africa, the future of South African sport is in your hands. We are confident you will make your country proud. Go out there and enjoy yourselves,” said the Honourable Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie.

The Region 5 Games are the 11th in its existence and Team SA is represented by 198 athletes across 12 sporting codes. There are 10 countries competing in Windhoek and Swakopmund – Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South

Africa, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Team SA are represented in athletics (including athletics visually impaired), basketball, boxing, football, judo, karate, netball, Special Olympics, swimming, table tennis, tennis and volleyball.

“Being a flag bearer for the country is no mean feat,” added Minister McKenzie. “You carry the hopes and aspirations of the country and in particular the South African youth. You are the future leaders of our country. It is through you that we have a glimpse of what South Africa of tomorrow looks like."

In adding his congratulations to Ngwenya and Jagasur, the president of the South African Sports Confederation, Olympic and Paralympic Committee (SASCOC), Barry Hendricks, said that it was a huge honour for the two teenagers.

“These two exceptional young athletes embody everything we stand for as the South African Sports Confederation, Olympic and Paralympic Committee. Their selection is not merely based on their sporting achievements but on their character, dedication and the values they represent both on and off the field of play.

“The honour of carrying our nation’s flag is one of the highest privileges we can bestow upon our athletes. Simphiwe and Nyska have earned this distinction through their excellence, their character and their potential to inspire the next generation of South African athletes.

“I have full confidence that these young flag bearers will lead our 198-strong delegation with the dignity and pride that our country deserves. They represent the bright future of South African sport and the values of ubuntu that define us as a nation.

“To Simphiwe and Nyska, I say: carry our flag with pride, compete with honour, and remember that you are not just representing yourselves, but the hopes and dreams of 60 million South Africans who stand behind you,” Hendricks added.

Ngwenya started his love affair with tennis with self-taught skills and through his hard work, the sport has helped him get scholarships for his schooling and opportunities to travel and compete. He has now represented South Africa three times. Among the

traits which shine through are his character, kindness and always being willing to help others and he is extremely humble.

Nyska is a national champion, a regional medallist, and UFAK medallist in both Kata and Kumite. She is currently ranked No1 in her division in South Africa and will represent the country at the upcoming UFAK African Championships in Nigeria at the end of July.

The delegation leader for Team SA at these Region 5 Games is Patience Shikwambana.

“I also wish to congratulate Simphiwe and Nyska on their achievements, not only being selected to be at these Games but for the honour of carrying the country’s flag,” she said. “We have brought a dynamic young team to Namibia and they are ambassadors for us on and off the field of play.”