South African town hosts first traditional horse racing event

The race will be rotated across the province’s districts to promote economic growth and regional unity. 

South Africa.- Vryburg, a town in the North West province of South Africa, has hosted its first-ever traditional horse racing event, showcasing the region’s cultural heritage and promoting local tourism.

The event named ‘Lobelo la Dipitsi’ drew large crowds from the province and neighbouring countries, including Botswana and Namibia. It was also attended by Premier Lazarus Mokgosi and the Department of Economic Development, Conservation, Environment, and Tourism (DEDECT) MEC Bitsa Lenkopane, highlighting the government’s support for the regional initiative.

The race featured an SMME exhibition where 69 different enterprises, supported by DEDECT and Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality, showed off their artisanal products like African clothes and shoes, natural herbs, spices, perfumes and wooden decorations.

According to Lenkopane, the race is a key driver of economic growth. She said: “Lobelo la Dipitsi is not just a celebration of our cultural heritage but also a strategic initiative to drive local business growth. This platform empowers Black entrepreneurs, facilitates job creation and strengthens our local economy. 

“Through the North West Gambling Board, we envisage to empower emerging race associations with compliance in terms of acquiring relevant licenses in relation to gambling legislations.”

During the event, Lenkopane interacted with the small business owners to understand the impact of race on their businesses. She noted that her department will continue supporting small businesses and cooperatives to meet South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) requirements.

Mokgosi and Lenkopane led the prize-giving ceremony for the race winners. The event featured six races, with the first race won by Maximus, owned by Lloyd. The second was won by Rock My Soul, owned by Matsego Satang, and the third by Hlankanisa, owned by Siphumile.

Other winners include Roction, owned by Tsupa, and Bar One, owned by Phenyo.

Lenkopane welcomed the participation of young riders and regional partners from Botswana, Namibia, and Lesotho and emphasised the event’s role in strengthening economic and cultural relationships.

Lobelo la Dipitsi will rotate annually across the province’s districts to promote ongoing economic growth, cultural heritage and regional unity.