Teaching kids in Khayelitsha how to fence - for sport

Fencing is part of the modern pentathlon, which also includes freestyle swimming and show jumping. Khayelitsha Multisport Club (KMC) first introduced these unusual sports about three years ago.

When people see someone fighting with swords, they recognise it from the Olympics, and today it is often called olympic fencing. It is divided into three weapon categories, foil, sabre, and épée. Each type of weapon has its own rules.

The club is made up of a core group of 15 athletes. All of the members come from the township and they range in age from 12 to 52.

Members of KMC. Photo by Siyabonga Kalipa.

20-year-old Buntu Mdyeshane has been with the club from the start. He says, “I used to see the sport on TV and I liked what I saw. But because it was not offered in our township I didn’t know where to go until three years back.”

Fencing, like most sport codes in the townships, faces its own share of challenges. Jenny O’Hanlon, who established the KMC, says, “Because many children live with grandparents, we seldom see parents attending any of our competitions. The biggest challenge is transport. Sometimes I have access to a larger vehicle but I still only manage to transport up to eight children at a time.”

O’Hanlon demonstrates a move. Photo by Siyabonga Kalipa.

Another reason Mdyeshane has kept doing this sport is the kind of support he gets from his family. He added, “My mother and sister support me all the way. At times when Jenny can’t pick us up to go to competitions, I ask them to help me with transport money.”

Khayelitsha is one of the communities in the Cape that is hardest hit by gangsterism. This has hampered some children’s dreams to pursue fencing. O’Hanlon adds, “The other great problem is the safety of the children. Because of gang activity, many have stopped coming because they are afraid to move around Khayelitsha.”

The idea of fencing as a sport started in Spain, but the Italian and French schools of fencing are the most dominant in the world. The athletes are hoping to take the sport far and get the chance to travel the world.

Sibabalo Dyantyi, 17, who is a rookie in fencing says, “I just started the sport. I decided to join because I used to see it on TV and loved it. This is my first practise session but I got the moves very quickly; next it’s the technique.” He adds, “If I’m serious I will go far with the sport.”

One of the two girls present at Tuesday’s practice session was 13-year-old Phumza Yantolo. She says, “I started in 2012 after asking for permission from my parents, who didn’t know that girls can do this sport. I love fencing and I see myself fencing overseas in future.”

O’Hanlon shows Sibabalo some moves. Photo by Siyabonga Kalipa.

O’Hanlon hopes the club will convince the fencing federation to place a coach in Khayelitsha twice a week. This will help grow the sport and provide support for the modern pentathlon, which relies on fencing coaches. She adds, “Khayelitsha has the potential of becoming a modern pentathlon training centre, provided that we can develop coaches to work in the area.”

This coming Saturday from 9.30 to 12.00 KMC will host the Modern Pentathlon Championships at the Thusong Centre.