Swazi Observer

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HISTORY-MAKER ERIKAH SEYAMA E70 000 RICHER

By Sibusiso Dlamini | 2018-08-10

ATHELTICS – FOLLOWING her exploits in the African Championships in Nigeria where she claimed gold in high jump, athlete Erikah Seyama is now over E70 000 richer.

Seyama made history after becoming the very first Liswati to ever claim gold for the country in an international tournament and has, therefore, broken the 44-year-old dry medal spell the country has been experiencing ever since Richard Mabuza claimed a bronze medal during the very African Champs which were held in Algiers, Algeria.

Seyama is now over E70 000 richer as the ministry of sports, culture and youth affairs pledged to give her E10 000 as a token of appreciation whilst the Athletics Association of Swaziland (AAS) also promised the very amount, added onto the $4 000 (E54 035, 60) prize money she received for her achievement.

When delivering his speech during the welcome ceremony held at the Swaziland Olympics and Commonwealth Association (SOCGA) offices yesterday morning, Minister of Sports David ‘Cruiser’ Ngcamphalala congratulated the entire Eswatini Kingdom for the historical achievement, and further thanked Seyama’s parents and team for their support.

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“Firstly, on behalf of His Majesty’s government, let me take this opportunity to congratulate the whole kingdom for such a historical moment.

We thank you Seyama for your hard work and determination, you have hoisted the country’s flag and shall forever be in the history books. Also, let me thank the young lady’s parents for their contribution. I know they have made sacrifices and we can only thank them for preserving and nourishing such a jewel for us.

We hope this will inspire more young people to achieve what this young lady has done. For her efforts, the ministry will give Seyama E10 000,” he said.

Meanwhile, Athletics Association of Swaziland (AAS) President Gideon Mthembu called for celebration of such moments in the country and further revealed that the association would also give Seyama E10 000.

“I don’t want to lie; a part of me feels like we are downplaying this achievement. Honestly, like this is the first athlete ever in the Kingdom of Eswatini to ever get a gold medal and it is big!

Our flag has been hoisted and Seyama’s name will definitely go down in history as a hall of famer. Now, for your achievement young lady, the association has seen it fit to congratulate you with E10 000.”

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