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On 20 February 2010, Ruimsig Gemeente had their second annual athletics’ meeting, where 300 children from various communities participated. There was a real sense of Ubuntu and Nelson Mandela’s quote from the movie Invictus, ‘Rugby(Sport) is not a political calculation - it is a human calculation’ was proven right. Participants were transported from the Zandspruit Informal Settlement, Krugersdorp West and Newlands. Pastor Mordt from Holy Spirit Ministries also had 30 kids attending and his comment afterwards was, ‘This was such a special day, we will always remember it’. We especially treasure the relationships that the children built with other children from different communities. Twenty five children from Kingsway Primary made their debut and did very well in their respective items.

Most of the children have had no previous coaching and it was, for many of them, the first time they were competing on a real athletics field. The excitement was great and everyone received medals or sweets for participation and achievements. Our Golang children did especially well in the long distant events and broke quite a number of track records.

SA First Aid rendered their services pro bono and Ruimsig Gemeente sponsored enjoyable food for all the guests. Cathy Mohlala from Radio 702, together with Jan Smit, one of the leaders of Ruimsig Gemeente, were the presenters and managed to keep young and old motivated and enthusiastic.

The relay between officials from Ruimsig Gemeente and Golang’s much younger Child- Care staff had the Gemeente guys as the winners - just proving that speed and fitness have nothing to do with age!

One of the highlights of the day was the mass relay’s organized chaos. Two teams consisting of old, young, fat, thin, child, pastor, had to be selected and in the spirit of this year’s 2010 soccer fever, the relay sticks were giant soft soccer balls. Even the adults were fighting to get a chance to run for their team. The red team lost quite a bit of speed when they decided, in the spirit of an inclusive community to let a 7-month pregnant lady run for their team - it was definitely not all about winning!

Congregation members of Ruimsig Gemeente had an early morning, setting up everything on the athletics grounds of Muldersdrift Laerskool. Medals were sponsored by Incledon and Honeydew Toyota sponsored gazebos. 60 willing volunteers had to be trained as officials and 450 participants and officials received boerewors rolls and a Powerade.

The Indaba Enhle Athletics’ Meeting is one of many sporting opportunities where Ruimsig Gemeente is involved and they are challenging other schools and churches, in the light of 2010, to use sport to demonstrate the spirit of unity and to bring change in South Africa.

Any donations for further sport initiatives through Ruimsig Gemeente Outreach can be made by contacting Riekies Huisamen on 082 821 5500 or uitreik@ruimsig.com. Please visit the website www.ruimsig.com for more photos and articles.