Unfortunately, there is not much information on the origins of the sport Dibeke. Most resources say the name Dibeke describes how sport (it's unclear whether they mean all sports or this particular sport) is an addictive and fun pursuit for children. There is little known about the origins of the sport. However, there is a substantial effort to preserve this game as part of the indigenous culture and sport of South Africa. A pleasant and unique aspect of the game is its emphasis on gender equality, which is built right into the game's fabric. Teams should consist of an equal number of boys and girls per team (usually six and six). It also has unique rules that govern the amount of risk vs. reward an individual player will engage in, ultimately enhancing the team's overall strategy.

My students absolutely love this game, and I am sure your students will also love it. The game resembles a cross between kickball, dodgeball, and sharks and minnows, which are all fan favorites, so when they are put together, this makes a super fun game. Dibeke is simple enough that my lower elementary students love the simplified version of the game. The upper elementary students utilize different strategies with the full version of the game. It makes for engaging gameplay that can be different every time it is played.

Depending on the size of the playing area, this game works well for in-person socially distanced learning. A quick variant to make this game more suitable for social-distanced in-person learning is having the defenders spread throughout the playing area. Each defender must stay in their prescribed defensive zone, forcing the defenders to pass the ball from one to another to have the best opportunities to get the attacking team out. This variation helps the younger students understand good defensive positioning.

Materials: 

·      An ample open space (such as a gym or field)

·      An appropriate-sized kickball or soccer ball, depending on the age of the participants.

·      Rubber disc dots (to show the students where their individual defensive territory is)

·      Optional

o   Pennies or jerseys to identify teammates

o   Scoreboard or whiteboard to record the score

Minimum Number of Students Needed: This game could be played with as few as eight players but is much more fun with an entire class.

Age: All Ages