NEW Brighton-born international handball player, Samkelo Dumse, has played a huge role in the community of Lower Saxony in Germany, and not just by playing handball.
Dumse, who plays for local side Kempa United Handball Club, in New Brighton, left South Africa for Germany in August 2020 for a handball exchange programme between the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality and Lower Saxony.
According to Dumse, he started playing in the second team in Germany but he has been promoted to the MTV Geismar senior team. Dumse was selected as captain of the team that won the regional league trophy of Lower Saxony. He said that he had become a regular member of the starting line-up and, together with his team, had won the league and some tournaments.
“The standard of handball is very high in Germany and it is a popular sport,” Dumse said. “When I arrived in Germany in August last year, I told myself that I would work very hard. I could see that my game standard improved every time. Firstly, I started playing in the second team of MTV Geismar and I was a captain in the second team that took the honours in the regional league.
“Thereafter, I was promoted to its senior team. I am a regular first team player of MTV Geismar. My club is one of the top sides in Lower Saxony handball regional league. We just played one league game in November but due to the increased rate of COVID-19 infections, games had to come to a standstill. My contract has been extended from January 2021 to July 2021.”
In addition to playing handball, Dumse is also the physical education teacher at Lower Saxony School.
He said, “I also coach handball at school. I am also the handball coach in my club. I am coaching u/11s up to 18-year-old players.
“Everything is going well for me in Germany. Above all, all the money that I collect in Germany has a purpose for the poor learners in my school and other people who are less fortunate.”
Dumse bought 10 pairs of school shoes for the learners of Charles Duna Primary School.
“I told myself a long time ago that I would like to make a difference for the needy learners at my school, Charles Duna Primary, one day.
“Next time, I will buy more than 10 pairs of school shoes. I do not want to see children going through the hardships that I went through. I came from a poor background, so I do not want to see kids suffering the way I did. I am ploughing back to my school.”
Dumse left the country for Germany on January 9, 2021.
