Soccer Gags Year End Function 2019 Report

The 2019 Soccer Gags Year End Function was officially opened when members embarked the Luxury Party Bus from the first pick-up point in Midrand, South Africa on the 6^th of December around 6:00AM. It was a fun affair all the way to the Kalahari Desert city of Kimberley which is located about 521km from Midrand. Several members were picked up along the route which had three more pick-up points (Fourways, Soweto and Klerksdorp).

The Party Bus, the Accommodation and the Friday Dinner

In addition to the stream of beverages ranging from coffee, tea, and juice to cocktails, beers, whisky, ciders, vodkas, cognacs etc.  Breakfast and Lunch were also served in the Party Bus. Upon arrival at round 15:30 in Kimberly, attendants were checked into a stunning lodge named the Ein Gedi Premier Lodge where they were given 3 hours to freshen-up for the welcoming dinner event hosted at a unique lifestyle lounging and restaurant named the Long Street Lounge. After dinner, members took down the Long Street Lounge dance-floor and left the place around 22:30 singing songs of their favourite soccer clubs.

Kimberley Tour

Saturday began with breakfast at the Ein Gedi Premier Lodge around 7:30. A tour of Kimberly was scheduled for 9:00 and when the time came, the usual culprits Shaz and Mpho were not inside the bus and it was decided that they be left behind. Highlight of the tour was in visiting Kimberley’s most popular landmark, The Big Hole.  Shaz and Mpho managed to catch the tour bus through a cab.

Soccer Tournament

After the tour, a mini 4 teams soccer tournament was played. The teams were represented as follows: Black & Gold outfit (Sfiso Gumede, Mcebo Nkosi, Tom Radebe, Mpho Goodness, Ndivhuwo Ramutanda, Sibongile Vuza ), Black & White (Thabang Kgwete, Mannie Vries, Vusi Khumalo, Lerato Selahle, Napogadi Moroane, Fred Mooketsi), Green & Blue (Kataki Senyatsi, Steve Kubheka, Melf Kempton, Tshepo Selahle, Maniki Moloi, Phiwe Makwa), The Blues (Shaz Tshabalala, Thabelo Phungo, Martha Mphara, Granny Mbungela, Ole Lekalakala, Broke Fan, Feesh Francis).

The soccer tournament was won by the Black & White team, The Blues claimed silver, and the Green & Blue won Bronze with the Black & Gold coming out last. The games had magical moments with the dribbling wizard Kataki ‘Ozil’ Senyatsi mesmerizing Ole ‘The Guru’ Lekalakala on her way to score a crucial goal for the Greens. Another brilliant moment came from Shaz Tshabalala who was set up by Feesh’s cross, Shaz volleyed the ball home to ensure The Blues claim silver. Phiwe and Thabelo were also outstanding in the goalposts. Mannie Vries was red-carded for trying to bribe the referee, however his team was crowned champions ahead of the tournament’s favourites The Blues.

The Caribbean Party

After soccer games, members were driven back to Ein Gedi Premier Lodge where they were given 40 mins to freshen-up and get ready for the Caribbean Party by the pool side. At 14:00 Pinky Sechabela was ready to surprise and welcome members to the Caribbean Party where she outstandingly decorated and prepared the cocktails and lunch. It would be an understatement to say fun was had at this chilled party. Very few believed the Caribbean theme would work in the Desert but Pinky produced her magic.

Soccer Gags Awards Ceremony

21:30pm saw members arriving in different outfits, formal Red and Black attire for the Prestigious Soccer Gags Awards Ceremony. Programme Director Mr Thabang Kgwete called upon the Local Organizing Committee CEO Mr Tshepo Selahle to officially open the ceremony. Mr Olebogeng Lekalakala paid tribute to the fallen legends of Soccer Gags (the late Ms Ntsiki Halom, Mr Sandile Buthelezi, Mr Maurice Maubane, and Mr Jeffrey Pitso Makena).  Mr Leonard Masango took members through the Soccer Gags Background and Purpose. Mr Fred Mooketsi, Ms Sibongile Vuza and Mr Mcebo Nkosi assisted in handing out the awards with Mr Sidwell Feesh Francis reading the award description before being handed out.

Award Winners:

• Soccer Gags Best Contributor of the Year, Male: Maniki Moloi
• Soccer Gags Best Contributor of the Year, Female: Kataki Senyatsi
• Soccer Gags Best Writer of the Year, Male: Sidwell Feesh Francis
• Soccer Gags Best Writer of the Year, Female: Lerato Munchie Selahle
• Soccer Gags Most Controversial Member of the Year: Steve Kubheka
• Soccer Gags Best Newcomer of the Year: Mannie Vries
• Soccer Gags Best Games Predictor of the Year: Tshepo Spairo
• Bosvark Special Award (Games Worst Predictor of the Year): Steve Kubheka
• Soccer Gags Most Valuable Player (MVP), Male : Thabang Kgwete
• Soccer Gags Most Valuable Player (MVP), Female: Kataki Senyatsi
• Olebogeng Lekalala Special Award (Member who enjoys drinks more than the rest): Ndivhuwo Ramutanda

The Next Host Venue

There were tensions as bids for the next Host Venue were presented however, the facilitator Mr Thabang Kgwete did an outstanding job in calming the situation down and ensuring the voting process is done smoothly and fairly. Members voted and Mozambique won the bid with Glenburn coming second and Hammanskraal State coming out third. Tempers ran high again from one of the losing bidders of Glenburn however members voted for the motion to move on and close the chapter on the Next Host Venue. Mozambique will host the 2020 Soccer Gags Year End Function.

Closure

The Chairperson of the Local Organizing Committee Ms Martha Mphara recapped and thanked members for honouring the 3 days event. All members left the beautiful Ein Gedi Premier Lodge on Sunday the 8^th of December 2019 after breakfast. On Monday, all members confirmed to have arrived home safely.

Photos 

Photos of the event can be found from our website under the URL: http://www.soccergags.com/photo/albums/soccer-gags-yef-2019-nc

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