KwaZulu-Natal Sports and Recreation Minister Mntomuhle Khawula, says he wants the horse telecasting races that we have introduced in different municipalities in the province to develop to the point where it has a stake of R1 million.
Khawula said this at the annual Nkandla May KwaNtshiza horse competition on Saturday.
The Minister said that a lot of money is invested in advanced races such as the Durban July, so there is a need for the race to be improved in terms of quality and prizes.
He said this while there is a dispute in court regarding the allocation of money invested in horse racing by the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environment to the KZN Gaming and Betting Board.
Horse sledding races are organized by different municipalities in the province, as Mayor Nonhlanhla Nzuza held Makhasane in Nkandla at the weekend.
The most popular and long-standing race is Dundee July, while others include King Cetshwayo July, Harry Gwala (NDZ) Summer Cup, Mgungundlovu Traditional Horse Racing, Newcastle Spring Horse Racing and Nkandla May.
In Nkandla May, which was at its best, in the big race with a stake of R80 000, bronze was taken by Nkingentsha, second was Mpendulo and third was Alpha and Omega.
In the women’s race, Scefe, who was ridden by Nokubonga Gamede from Mzinyathi, won.
Mayor Nzuza highly commended the introduction of women into horse riding and likened it to other sports which are the key to gathering young people so that they don’t get involved in crazy things.
The mayor went on to say that the Nkandla May race will return next year and it is at a very high level because people are showing interest in it and it is also benefiting local small businessmen.