Five majorettes from KuGompo City, South Africa, have departed to join the 42-member national team competing at the Majorette World Federation Championships in Poland on September 24. The quintet, comprising Addyson Stanton, Amron Shylah Beaton, Inathi Mbegengashe, Lwethu Myeza, and Ababaliwe “Aba” Njabulo Siwisa, will showcase their skills alongside athletes from across the country. Their journey to the international competition follows years of dedication and hard work with their local clubs.
The five majorettes, all hailing from KuGompo City, have been selected from different clubs. Stanton, a grade 12 pupil at Stirling High School, and Mbegengashe and Myeza, both in grade 10, are members of Phoenix Majorette Club. Beaton, a grade 8 pupil at Stirling, represents Blue Fire Majorette Club, while grade 7 Gonubie Primary School pupil Siwisa competes for Gonubie Primary Majorettes. Their selection was based on trials held late last year for SA Majorette and Cheerleading Association (Samca) colours.
The selection process involved national adjudicators choosing the final team from athletes across the country. Prior to their selection, the majorettes had been competing at provincial and national levels, including the recent Eastern Cape Majorette and Cheerleading Association (ECMCA) Provincial Championships. Gonubie Primary was crowned Champion of Champions at the provincial championships and will represent the Eastern Cape in the Elite Division at the Samca National Championships.
The coaches of the selected majorettes expressed their pride and support. Phoenix coaches Gareth and Calista Stanton congratulated their team members, stating that they had made Phoenix proud. Blue Fire Majorette Club coach Zita Walters praised Beaton's growth in the sport, while Gonubie Primary Majorettes coach Tracey Riddin highlighted Siwisa's commitment and determination.
In Poland, the five majorettes will not all compete in the same events. Beaton, Mbegengashe, and Siwisa have been selected to perform together in a baton trio, while Addyson will compete in a mace solo. Lwethu will also compete as part of the national team. The SA team will compete alongside athletes from 11 countries, with about 3,000 participants and 86 teams taking part.
The athletes will first fly to Johannesburg for a training camp, followed by the official Protea ceremony on September 21, where they will receive their Protea blazers. The team will then travel to Germany on September 23 before heading to Poland for the championships. ECMCA chairperson Jono Clarke and National Samca head coach Matthew Higgs recognised the contribution of the Eastern Cape athletes.
The trip to Poland will also give the young athletes their first chance to travel to Europe, experience a different culture, and meet majorettes from other countries. The selection of the five KuGompo athletes highlights the work being done by clubs and coaches in the province, with Riddin hoping to see Eastern Cape teams bring home medals from Samca and the South African team excel in Poland.
Key points
- The five majorettes from KuGompo City will compete in different events at the Majorette World Federation Championships in Poland.
- The SA team will compete alongside athletes from 11 countries, with about 3,000 participants and 86 teams taking part.
- The trip to Poland will give the young athletes their first chance to travel to Europe and experience a different culture.
