Samara Tournament honours Mandela Day

GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - Hundreds of local teenagers will start competing in multiple football and netball matches in the Samara Karoo Reserve Heritage Tournament at the Collie Koeberg Stadium in Graaff-Reinet today.

This year's Samara is taking place from today, 18 July to Saturday 20 July.

This annual event used to happen in September during Heritage Month, but has been brought forward to coincide with Mandela Day on 18 July.

Samara founder, Anneley Swemmer says the event supports Nelson Mandela's call to the world for everyone to spend 67 minutes of their time in community service. "We really want to impact the youth in Graaff Reinet through sport. We are looking forward to increase the impact and the scope of the event."

She says 720 local teenagers have signed up to participate, including 127 girls, meaning this year’s tournament will be made up of 46 teams.

Swemmer, who started off as a waitress at Samara Karoo Reserve, worked her way up the ranks, soon becoming a star on the Samara management team, a key member of staff and now Samara’s Community Relations Manager.

The Samara Heritage Day Cup Tournament was born to develop opportunities for the community.

The Samara Karoo Reserve is in partnership with Dr Beyers Naudé Local Municipal Local Football Association, the DBNLM Netball Association and SanParks. Great prizes and trophies are up for grabs.

The u. 13 Jose Mourinho team versus Portugal Birds Club during play-offs.