Mayor thanks City athletes

A proud mayor congratulated his staff for bringing home medals and trophies from the OR Tambo Inter-Municipal Games.
CITY athletes received a pat on the back for their competitive spirit during the annual OR Tambo Inter-Municipal Games held at the Germiston Stadium in Ekurhuleni.

Joburg came second in the 2011 OR Tambo Municipal GamesJoburg came second in the 2011 OR Tambo Municipal GamesExecutive Mayor Parks Tau congratulated the employees, who did the City proud in the hotly contested inter-municipal games, which were attended by all 15 Gauteng municipalities.

All 117 participants were warmly welcomed at Committee Room C at the Metro Centre Building on Friday, 11 November.

They were all proudly dressed in Joburg’s corporate colours of grey and black.

Speaking to the group, Tau expressed his appreciation for their efforts: “On behalf of the mayoral committee, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate you on your achievements in the recent OR Tambo games.”

Tau, who was at the opening of the games, encouraged other employees to participate in future. “I was ready to take part as well,” Tau said jokingly. “The key thing is that we must participate in these games.”

Also present to say thank you were members of the mayoral committee for health and human development, Nonceaba Molwele; for development planning and urban management, Ruby Mathang; for public safety, Matshidiso Mfikoe; and for transport, Rehana Moosajee.

Joburg came second overall in the games, behind its neighbours and hosts, Ekurhuleni.

MMC Ruby Mathang and executive mayor Parks Tau congratulate Team Joburg for a job well doneMMC Ruby Mathang and executive mayor Parks Tau congratulate Team Joburg for a job well doneOther municipalities that participated included Lesedi Local Municipality, Metsweding District Municipality, Midvaal Local Municipality, Mogale City Local Municipality, Westonaria Local Municipality, Efulweni Local Municipality, City of Tshwane, Merafong Local Municipality and Sedibeng District Municipality.

Municipal employees competed in a range of sporting activities, including golf, morabaraba, road running, mini soccer, soccer, squash, table tennis and tennis.

The games took place on 21 October. They are an annual event, held each year since 2006.They are aimed at fostering relations between municipal employees, and in honour of the anti-apartheid stalwart, Oliver Reginald Tambo. The games are an initiative of the South African Local Government Association.

Participating athletes also recently met the executive director for community development, Pilisiwe Twala-Tau, who also extended her appreciation. “I’m so proud of you,” she said, presenting trophies to the team leaders.

Joburg will host the seventh OR Tambo Inter-Municipal Games in 2012. At the recent tournament, the portfolio head of community development, Chris Vondo, accepted a torch from the mayor of Ekurhuleni, Mondli Gungubele, to show that the next games would take place in Johannesburg.