A change agent and development catalyst to imprint the lives of disadvantaged youth.
Cricket in New Brighton, as the township marks a pivotal point in its history, has played its part in shaping the public consciousness around a historically white sport.
Gqeberha’s oldest urban settlement celebrates 120 years of existence, with the sport as a mainstay in the social fabric of the community.
Jendamark United Cricket Club, with its home at the New Brighton Oval, is at the heart of an evidentiary evolution — transforming from a hotbed of apartheid to a fertile ground for talent.
The oval comes alive surrounded by iconic, historic landmarks such as the Red Location Museum, Mendi Arts Centre and Nangoza Jebe Hall within a 5km radius.
Jendamark jumped on board as a title sponsor in the 2015/2016 season, catapulting the oval to become a hub of grassroots cricket development targeting youth.
This all-important partnership birthed the Jendamark New Brighton Cricket Hub — a Cricket SA incubator servicing 20 primary and secondary schools in Nelson Mandela Bay.
Among them, and displaying their potential on the field, are pupils from Seyisi, David Vuku, Pendla, Ebongweni, Charles Duna and Lama Primary schools, and Cowan, Kwazakhele, Ithembelihle and Sophokama high schools.
The fledgling cadets who undergo a rigorous shape-shifting process befitting of champions fortify the battleground for Jendamark United Cricket Club.
This could not have been demonstrated better in 2023 than when Jendamark United hoisted the Eastern Cape Regional Senior Ladies T20 League Club and EP Senior Ladies T20 League Club titles.
But to get here, like any legendary tale, one has to course back through history.
Cricket in New Brighton started between 1950 and 1960, with clubs like Far East, Albany, Hard Catch, Victoria East and Middle Drift emerging from the dust before going into oblivion.
In 1976, a revolutionary merger between Fort Beaufort and New Brighton cricket clubs to form United Cricket Club drove the message home — cricket was here to stay.
The amalgamation was later strengthened by the merger with Wide Awake Cricket Club, a move led by seasoned cricketers and freedom fighters Thomas Mavata and Nkululeko Tundube.
During this time, eminent players and administrators rose above the tidal wave of subjugation.
Silas Nkanunu, Winky Ximiya, Raymond Mali, Edwin Ncula, Wilfred Khovu, judge Ronnie Pillay, Danny Jordaan and Thoba Williams, among others, ignited township lore.
Dan Qeqe, best regarded as an imposing rugby player and administrator, paved the way for the mainstreaming and liberation of black rugby and cricket players in SA after co-founding the Kwazakhele Rugby Union (Kwaru).
Raymond Mali, equally, saw a steep rise as acting president of the International Cricket Council (ICC) in 2007, having held the CSA presidency — the first black person to do so — from 2003-2008.
Brothers Khaya and Gerald Majola, who rose to the highest echelons of cricket as Cricket SA chief executive, are part of the bricks-and-mortar of the community.
Incredibly, the stage was set for the duo in magnanimous fashion after their father, Eric, walked onto the field kitted out in his whites to open the batting in a township fixture six decades ago.
An old black-and-white picture remains a treasured family heirloom.
Eric and his sons enjoyed stupendous cricket careers playing alongside Mavata, Williams and Edward Habana.
The Majola brothers were selected to represent the SA Cricket Board and SA Council of Sport as an all-rounder and top-order right-hand batsman respectively.
Fast-forward to today, the club, awarded premier league status in the first year of unification in 1992, continues to espouse its founding members’ quest for nonracialism in sport and the broader SA.
Youthful SA under-19 sensations Lulama Masikazana, Kenneth Mahuwa and Bob Homani are not letting up continuing Jendamark United’s vaunted “Blue Flag Status for Clubs”.
Former Springbok rugby player and Cricket Eastern Cape board member Zola Yeye applauded sports empowerment efforts in the area.
“It is inspiring to see what is happening at the oval, where youth development is at the core of Jendamark United Cricket Club.
“It is a necessary and essential ground for the growth and development of cricket in all aspects.
“Our youth need to be given more opportunities to unlock their potential, and setting these hubs helps them to grow and fly high,” Yeye said.
Majola said the club, in its 47th year, owed its current trajectory to the support of Jendamark.
“Our marriage with Jendamark is entering its eighth season and I couldn’t be more thankful.
“Their support has lifted a local township club to unbelievable heights,” Majola said.
HeraldLIVE
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