He comes at me again, the stick in his right hand making a loud swoosh as it passes by my ear. Vuyisile Dyolotana is an experienced Stick-fighter, the welts and bruises on his face proof of his love for the sport. I am scared, I really don’t want him to hit me. We are both armed with two, one metre long, wooden sticks. One is for blocking and is securely fastened to my left hand with a piece of cloth, the other is for striking and is held in the right hand at head height, ready to attack.

This is the traditional sport of Stick-fighting or Intonga as it is known in the local Xhoza language. It has been practiced for centuries by herd boys in the rural areas of South Africa and is often used to settle disputes and prove manhood. Vuyisile, is keen for the art not to be forgotten in the urban Townships.

I am at one of his regular classes on a playground in the Township of Crossroads, close to Cape Town. It’s a tough neighbourhood, corrugated metal shacks jostle for position on the dusty streets and the sound of planes coming into land at the nearby Airport forces people to shout if they want to be heard.

Stick fighting in Cape Town

Looking around him Vuyisile explains: “I grew up Stick fighting it is our roots and culture, it was the first sport in Africa. I want to remind our fellow Africans that knives and guns shouldn’t be used to settle a conflict – pick up sticks and settle it like men.”
And his message seems to be working. All around there are young people practicing, sparring with eachother as more experienced adults watch and give advice. Intonga has strict rules that protect the fighters and a points system which gives six points for a head, arm or leg shot, five for a hit to the neck and four if you land a blow to the chest or stomach. “It’s about strength and technique” Vuyisile tells me, “and being able to use the blocking stick, if you can block then you will be good.”

Next to us a young girl, Nine year old Nandi hugs her opponent after a tough fight. “Stick fighting has made me strong” she says “If somebody hits me or bullies me I will pick up a stick and hit them back.”

Vuyisile is confident that through his classes, and the tournaments that he is organizing, Intonga and the traditions that go with it can continue to thrive. As we circle one another, sticks poised, ready for another round, he smiles: “It can be painful, you must be able to withstand pain – the blood is flowing sometimes. When I’m Stick-fighting I feel strong, it gives me the confidence to rely on myself and overcome enemies.”

To watch the film that I made for the BBC News then please follow this link.

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A film we made in Cape Town during the run up to the 2009 General Election in South Africa.