Harry Gwala rural horse riding contributes to rural economic growth
The southern chapter of the rural horse riding event is held annually in Kilimon Village lying between Bulwer and Underberg in southern KwaZulu-Natal.
The event is organized by the Department of Sport and Recreation in collaboration with Harry Gwala District Municipality, the newly amalgamated Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma Local Municipality and KZN Rural Horse Riding Association.
Sgwebosentambo cruised to an easy victory in Race 1, which was the main race, as she led from the start to the end. She has won most of the major races over the past years including the 2016 Dundee July.
Jockey Mzamo “Plaza” Mtshali said while he had won the race, he was however not at his best. He said he was not used to the riding with a saddle on. But he was advised by the animal care unit to do so after noticing that the horse had a small sore on her back.
Like the better known Dundee July, the southern chapter event promotes the traditional form of horse racing known as trotting, as opposed to sprinting.
The MEC for Arts, Culture, Sport and Recreation, Bongi Sithole-Moloi applauded the Department of Sport and Recreation and its stakeholders for hosting this event successfully throughout the years since it was established.
She particularly underlined the role of the event in uplifting the rural economy. She said the Department is committed to support the event to ensure that it contributes to the growth of the local economy.
“I encourage all people from around KwaZulu-Natal to live a healthy lifestyle and get themselves involved in playing sport even if they are from the rural areas. That is why the Department has been part of the Harry Gwala Summer Cup all these years. This is part of our initiative to promote traditional sport in rural areas,” commented MEC Sithole-Moloi.
Another rider, Vusi Madikizela from Kokstad who also won a gold medal in one of the races expressed joy at competing in the Harry Gwala Summer Cup for the first time.
“I’m very happy to have been part of the Harry Gwala Summer Cup and meeting other jockeys. They taught me a lot of new things about horse riding such as to how I should take care of my horse. I am going to take back what I learned today to teach other young jockeys,” he said.
| RACE | GRADE | HORSE NAME | OWNER | DISTRICT |
| 1 | 6 | Umshoviwenkani | Mr ngwenya | Mkhanyakude |
| Scefe | Mr Lujiva | Harry Gwala | ||
| Ntozaphesheya | Mr M Sibisi | Umgungundlovu | ||
| Ncwasimende | Mr M. Magwanyana | Umgungundlovu | ||
| Quantum | Mr Mjoli | Harry Gwala | ||
| 2 | 5 | Jelase | Mr Nkosana | Harry Gwala |
| Maphathanisi | Mr S Mchunu | Mkhanyakude | ||
| Silence | Mr Nxumalo | Umgungundlovu | ||
| Menemene | Mr Mchunu | Mkhanyakude | ||
| Celindlela | Mr S Madlala | Umgungundlovu | ||
| 3 | 4 | Amanyamadoda | Mr Madikizela | Harry Gwala |
| Silingo | Mr Sondzaba | Harry Gwala | ||
| Mashangane | Mr M Mkhize | eThekwini | ||
| Mashonisa | Mr Ntombela | Mkhanyakude | ||
| Ndongazyaduma | Mr M Mkhize | Umgugundlovu | ||
| 4 | 3 | Hluphekile | Mr A Lakaje | Uthukela |
| Khukumani | Mr Z B Gamede | Zululand | ||
| Mthwalo | Mr D E Nkosi | Amajuba | ||
| Hlokoloza | Mr M Ndlovu | eThekwini | ||
| Zabalaza | Mr Mkhuseli | Harry Gwala | ||
| 5 | 2 | Album | Mr Mthambo | Amajuba |
| Nxakanxaka | Mr M A Gama | Amajuba | ||
| Xovumoya | Mr Z B Gamede | Zululand | ||
| Syaya | Mr T Dlame | uMzinyathi | ||
| Khukhula | Mr M P Ndaba | uThukela | ||
| 6 | 1 | Sgwebosentambo | Mr S Gama | uThukela |
| Computor | Mr Z B Gamede | Zululand | ||
| Indidane | Mr Z H Madi | Amajuba | ||
| Mouzen | Mr Z B Gamede | Zululand | ||
| Waterkan | Mr M Mkhize | Ethekwini |