Dam Regatta (5 November)

The Dam Regatta was supposed to take place on the Tyume Dam in Alice. Together with the Eastern Cape Rowing Association, Rhodes University and Fort Hare University, we are trying to develop the dam for rowing competition and to start a community based rowing club at the dam, based on the concept of Nemato Rowing Club. The dam is very suitable for competition. It is easily accessible and has the right size to develop the first Olympic standard 4000m course in the Eastern Cape. The competition didn't work out the way we planned it. The night before we wanted to load the boats, the wheels got stolen from the boat trailer. The only way out was to move the competition to Settlers Dam in Grahamstown where St. Andrew's College is training and use their trailer to fetch our boats. There is not enough space at Settlers Dam for 4000m races, but it was still a nice competition.

Our winners:

• Under 15 boys quad: Buhle Ngcelwane, Lindokuhle Nikelo, Akhona Quma, Qhamani Isaac, Sphelo Sneyi (cox)
• Under 14 boys quad: Lifa Nxopho, Xolisani Hina, Onele Veto, Thembani James, Aphelele Makeleni (cox)
• Under 14 boys scull: Thembani James

Eastern Cape Champs (29 October)

The Eastern Cape Junior Championships took place on Saturday the 22nd of October on the Buffalo River in East London. It was a good competition with participants from all schools and junior clubs in the province. Nemato won some nice medals.

Our winners:

• Under 15 boys quad: Buhle Ngcelwane, Lindokuhle Nikelo, Akhona Quma, Qhamani Isaac, Sphelo Sneyi (cox)
• Under 14 boys quad: Lifa Nxopho, Xolisani Hina, Onele Veto, Thembani James, Aphelele Makeleni (cox)
• Under 15 boys scull: Buhle Ngcelwane

Durban trip (6-10 October)

The KwaZulu-Natal Champs fitted perfectly into our competition program, and a nice opportunity to visit Durban for our annual 'reward for working hard' trip. It was very disappointing that all expected participants from KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng pulled out, leaving us without competition. For a second year in a row our reward trip was without competition. Last year Cape Town could not offer us any competition. What is going on with rowing in our country? Not too much it seems. Anyway, in our township, filled with apathy and empty promises, we cannot say to our active youth: "Thanks for working hard all year, but sorry, no reward, no trip this year." A large group of 14 rowers qualified for the special trip and visited Durban, first time for all. It was very nice. The highlights were visits to the Moses Mabhida Stadium and the uShaka Marine World. Well done to the 14 rowers for the enthusiasm and working hard all year, the trip was well deserved! Thanks to Lottery and our sponsor J-Pak for making the trip possible.

President's Award (23 September)

Last year we started offering the President's Award program for our members, who can volunteer to participate. To qualify for the bronze award you have to do 25 hours of sport (easy for us), skills development, community service, and an 'adventurous journey'. All together 100 hours of hard but rewarding work. The minimum age is 15. Most of our members are too young to participate. The award leader in our organisation is Lunga Vulindlu. Our first Award event was in King Williams Town.

Our bronze award winners:

• Ashley Backward
• Bongisani Magopheni
• Chuma Nyendwana
• Noxolo Wole
• Thulani Magongo

Head Regatta (17 September)

The Heads Regatta on the Buffalo River in East London is the last long distance competition of the season. It was a nice event with good weather and great results for the Nemato rowers.

Our winners:

• Under 19 boys quad: Zongeziwe Nxesi, Odwa Quma, Zolani Fandeso, Bongisani Magopheni, Thulani Magongo (cox)
• Under 14 boys quad: Thembani James, Lifa Nxopho, Onele Veto, Xolisani Hina, Aphelele Makeleni (cox)
• Under 23 boys scull: Chuma Nyendwana
• Under 19 girls scull: Destiny Nelson
• Under 19 boys scull: Zongeziwe Nxesi
• Under 15 boys scull: Buhle Ngcelwane

Nemato Sculls Head (23 July)

Nemato Sculls Head is our annual long distance competition for single sculls. We had participants from ZRC, NMMU and Grey High School, all from Port Elizabeth, and from our own club. Nemato won 3 gold, 4 silver and 2 bronze medals.

Download all results

Our winners:

• Xolisani Hina gold in boys under 14
• Lifa Nxopho silver in boys under 14
• Thembani James bronze in boys under 14
• Lindokuhle Nikelo gold in boys under 15
• Akhona Quma silver in boys under 15
• Odwa Quma silver in boys under 19
• Bongisani Magopheni bronze in boys under 19
• Lunga Vulindlu silver in men under 23 A
• Noxolo Wole gold in ladies under 23

Rowers meet Zuma (13 July)

Three members of Nemato Rowing Club were invited to Grahamstown by the President's Award to meet President Zuma in a 'Youth Dialogue'. The invited rowers were: Bongisani Magopheni, Thulani Magongo (both bronze medallists) and Lunga Vulindlu (award leader).

Youth Day (16 June)

Youth Day is a very special day for our organisation. It commemorates the uprising of school children against the educational system introduced by the apartheid regime. The upraising started on June 16, 1976. The police used brutal force against the children, killing and torturing many. The photo of the killed Hector Pieterson shocked the world. The uprising is seen as the turning point in the history of the apartheid regime, leading to the freedom we have now in South Africa. But many youth still enjoy very little freedom. They live in poverty and have little chance to get a better future. Our organisation started on June 16, 2006 with the opening of the rowing club by National Minister of Sport Rev. Stofile. We continue the struggle for a better future for our youth. On Youth Day we reward our dedicated athletes for working hard. Prizes for 11 athletes for doing exceptionally well, and certificates for 43 dedicated athletes. Cake and cool-drinks for all. Four prizes were donated by Child Welfare Port Alfred.

• Athlete of the Year: Bongisani Magopheni; cell phone as 1st prize
• Runner-up: Thulani Magogo; gift voucher donated by Child Welfare
• Rower of the Year: Akhona Quma; gift voucher donated by Child Welfare
• Gymnast of the Year: Siphamandla Baku; gift voucher donated by Child Welfare
• Handball player of the Year: Siphosihle Mgcokocha; gift voucher donated by Child Welfare

Surfing (23 May)

We were invited to try surfing on the big Indian Ocean. Great fun and some talent discovered.

Horse Shoe Bend row (15 May)

The long row on our beautiful Kowie River to the Horse Shoe Bend. Up and down in total 42km. 20 rowers participated and all completed the challenge.

Beginners course

In the summer holiday we started a new beginners course at Kiddies Beach, our little shallow lagoon. After passing the rowing and the swimming tests, the beginners are allowed to row on the river. At the start of the Easter holiday, all beginners passed the tests and are rowing on the river.