The boys and girls from the Shaq Squad Basketball Club of Mbekweni have been excelling in provincial and national basketball competitions.
Most recently, the girls’ u-18 group were the winners at a Junior NBA Championship held in Camps Bay on 8-9 July. The girls played against seven other the teams from the Western Cape and won all six games to take the trophy. Cleo Khongolo and Athi Mkiva were voted tournament Most Valuable Players.
Another recent achievement was the selection of Cleo, Aluthe Gqotso and Musa Lufele (Boys u-18) for the Western Cape Provincial team. They played in a recent national tournament in Blomfontein against teams from most of the provinces. These same players were nominated to try out for the South Africa Junior National Team. That team will represent South Africa in international competition. The success of the team and individuals comes from their love of the game, their dedication to skills development, teamwork and the leadership of coaches.
Practices take place at an outdoor court located next to the running track in the central part of the area township. All ages are welcome. The programmes are not part of any formal, government-supported department. Coaches are mostly from the local community and are volunteers. Lindile Sizani, a former player on several Western Cape teams, provides the group its leadership and head coaching. Tim Foxen, an American living in Wellington provides coaching and other support. If you are interested in playing, watching or supporting the teams, contact Lindile or Tim.
Basketball as a sport in South Africa is increasing in popularity. At Mbekweni on most afternoons, one finds scores of youngsters meeting up at the courts and playing their games. Yet there is only one court, few balls and unsteady rims, which hinder the rate of skills development. The group has laid out plans for court improvements which will require modest funding from the municipality or other sources. In any scenario the aptly named Shaq Squad team from Mbekweni is one that inevitably will grow and flourish from its unstoppable enthusiasm and focus, acting as a great example for its community and the nation.
