Wits provides Liam Hermanus a platform to strive for better

26 July 2024 -

Liam Hermanus is amongst the latest Witsies to make waves in the sports world.

Liam recently played in the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations Indoor hockey tournament with the Namibian national team in Namibia.

He was born and raised in Windhoek, Namibia but opted to study at Wits University, where he is currently in his final year studying Informational Engineering degree. This is Liam’s second degree he’s looking to clinch, after having graduated with distinction in a Biomedical Engineering degree in 2022.

The Namibian sportsman is currently in his 5th year playing for the Wits 1st team, after having made his international debut for Namibia at the age of 16, playing in an AFCON qualifier in 2017. Liam Hermanus was also a part of the Namibian team that made history in the 2023 Indoor hockey World Cup, becoming the first Namibian national team of any sporting code in the country to make the quarterfinals of a tournament.

In between his busy schedule, we got the chance to catch up with Liam, where he shared his experience at the recent AFCON tournament and what generally keeps him ticking.

Q & A with Liam Hermanus

Please take us through your recent experience at the AFCON Indoor hockey tournament.

“It was quite a busy time leading up to AFCON, with academic commitments as well as the upcoming exam period which followed shortly after AFCON. Despite these other commitments, it is always an easy transition into sports mode with the Namibian team. With regards to the AFCON experience, I was extremely excited to have the tournament held on home soil, at the exact same venue where I made my debut. The home crowd was unbelievable, and the tournament was unbelievably well organized which made our job of just being hockey players even easier. A lot of nerves but always a privilege to play for the Namibian flag and represent the country on the biggest platforms.”

How have you gone about achieving such a great honour of representing your country?

“As with any discipline, it takes a lot of hard work and dedication, as well as balance. It is about how much you are willing to do to get to that level as well as sacrifices. Nothing comes easy but when you have clear goals of where you would like to end up, it makes the effort you put in worth all the blood, sweat and tears.”

What lessons can you draw from competing against some of the best players on the continent?

“Recently, in the hockey scene, African nations have proven that they can compete at the highest level. Compete doesn't only mean step on the field and play but actually give the more established teams a run for their money. So, to compete against the players that are playing in some of the best leagues in the world and producing results, shows Namibia as a country that we are doing something right. Furthermore, there is always something you can learn from other players, various techniques or tactical mindsets and I think being open to learning is the only way we can continue to grow African hockey as iron sharpens iron.”

How do you manage your academics and still be able to excel in your hockey?

“I guess having always been involved from a young age with multiple sporting codes and having to manage my academics to be allowed to participate in the various sports, has taught me invaluable time management skills. I also find that when there is no pressure or multiple commitments along with the academic commitments, that it is hard to do well, and it forces me to do things quickly and efficiently so that I allow for adequate amounts of time and effort for each aspect of my life.”

What are you still looking to achieve in hockey?

“As I am coming to the end of my varsity career, I am definitely looking to see where my hockey can go in the European scene and to see if I can make it in their topflight leagues. Mainly looking to see if I can get to the 1st Bundesliga side in Germany next year.”

Has Wits contributed to your success in any way and how?

“Absolutely, Wits has played a significant role in my success. The university has provided a supportive environment that balances both academic and athletic pursuits. The facilities are top-notch, and the coaching staff is incredibly dedicated, always pushing us to reach our full potential. Additionally, being surrounded by like-minded individuals who are equally driven has been motivating. The culture at Wits promotes excellence, and that has definitely contributed to my growth as both a student and an athlete.”

If it weren’t for hockey, what else do you believe you would have wanted to become?

“If it weren't for hockey, I think I would be pursuing cricket, as that was the other sport I really enjoyed growing up. Either that or try to take on golf seriously.”

What bit of advice would you share with other student athletes looking to achieve national colours?

“My advice to other student athletes is to stay committed and never lose sight of your goals. It takes a lot of hard work, dedication, and sacrifices to reach the top. Time management is crucial; you need to balance your academic responsibilities with your training. Surround yourself with a strong support system, whether it’s coaches, teammates, or family. Lastly, always be open to learning and improving, both on and off the field. Remember, nothing worth having comes easy, but with perseverance and a clear vision, you can achieve your dreams.”

Bonolo Moabi on her experience at the Indoor AFCON Hockey Tournament

23 July 2024 -

Wits hockey has seen some individual success recently, with Bonolo Moabi being amongst the club's success.

The Rynfield, Benoni born Bonolo recently represented the South African women’s indoor team at the Indoor AFCON tournament. 

Bonolo is currently in her final year of studying towards a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations, Politics and Psychology. She has been playing hockey for Wits University for 4 years now, having also enjoyed great success throughout her career individually so far. Rynfield’s very own star has been in and around the national team setup for 2 years but has regularly been picked to represent the Gauteng province since the age of 12.

Bonolo Moabi took the time to shed some light on her experience at the AFCON tournament and what has really kept her going so far in aiding a successful career and striking the balance in achieving what she sets out for herself. 

“Playing in the AFCON tournament was such a good experience! My teammates are really good people and I care for them dearly. So everything felt rather smooth. We came there with a goal in mind, and everyone knew what we had to do so it was amazing all round.”

It takes a lot to represent your country in sport, Bonolo feels humility has carried her well in unlocking her dream so far.

“I acknowledge the honour completely, but I feel like having humility is a very strong trait of mine so it’s definitely something I don’t lead with, I just carry it.”

Playing against some of the best on the continent is no easy task but for Bonolo, it’s come with great lessons. 

“I’ve drawn plenty of lessons but amongst those, it’s that the smallest mistakes can cost you a goal especially after playing with Namibia, you can’t be having lapses of concentration during the game. It's 40 minutes of pure hard work.”

With Bonolo being a student athlete, there are many difficulties along the way, but she manages striking the balance between her playing career and academics through communication.

“It’s very tough, but communicating with my lecturers is a big thing, trying to find ways to balance both is important and can be very taxing. Most of my teammates are either students or working so we have moments where we all do work together.”

Despite having already achieved so much, the rising star still feels she’s got a lot more to achieve and improve.

“I’d still like to play in the World Cup as well and help improve our world ranking, we are currently 6th, and I would like for us to at least be in the top 4.”

Bonolo is also grateful to Wits for contributing towards her success story, in which she explains how the institution has assisted her.

“Yes definitely, the High-Performance setup has definitely helped me a lot, as well as introducing me to my Wits teammates who have become some of my closest friends.”

It’s been a great career for Bonolo so far and her advice for young upcoming student athletes is to work hard and look after yourself.

“Just keep working hard for it and make sure to take care of yourself during the journey, it’s tough to get there but nothing beats the feeling of wearing the green and gold and playing for your country.”

Mthembu raring to go with FISU team showdown in Uganda

27 June 2024 - By S’fiso Nyawo

Congratulations to Lovers Mthembu, who was one of two members of the Wits Chess club to make the FISU team that will represent South Africa in Uganda, in June.

Lovers is currently in his second year of his pursuit of a degree in Mathematics and Economics. Lovers hails from KwaDukuza in KwaZulu-Natal, where his passion for chess began in 2015, with his brother instilling a passion that would grow into him cementing a place in the FISU team. 

Amongst many of his success at the early stages of his career in chess, Lovers represented KZN multiple times at the South African Junior Chess Championships and the SA Top Schools. In 2019, he qualified to represent South Africa at the African Youth Chess Championship, but he unfortunately could not take part due to financial constraints. In 2023, he managed to claim a win at the Gauteng Championships.

We got a chance to catch up with Lovers and find a little more on how everything has developed in his chess career to get him where he is today.

Q&A with Lovers Mthembu

What motivated you to start playing chess and who do you model your game around? 

“My older brother introduced me to chess, and I fell in love with the game immediately. I strive to be a flexible player, capable of adapting to any position. I draw inspiration from many top chess players, but if I had to choose one, it would be Fabiano Caruana. His style embodies the type of game I aim to play.”

How did you go about initially qualifying for the USSA closed qualifications? 

“To qualify for the USSA closed, we first compete in the USSA open, where universities from across the country participate. Each university can bring a maximum of 10 male and 10 female players. The top 10 players in both sections then qualify for the USSA closed.”

How do you continuously improve your game and strategies? 

“Analysing my games is crucial for my growth in chess. Besides that, I solve chess puzzles, study endgames, and play a lot of games. Growth comes with experience, and playing more games is the best way to gain that experience.”

How are you going to go about preparing for the upcoming competition in Uganda with the FISU team?

“My training plan will be similar to my usual routine: lots of games, puzzles, and analysis. Consistency is key to improvement.”

What’s the biggest benefit of playing chess competitively and at such a high level for you?

“Well, I would say that chess has a profound impact on personal growth. It teaches you essential skills such as planning, strategic thinking, decision making, patience, resilience just to name a few. On top of that, chess fosters a sense of community among players, creating lasting friendships and support networks.”

Lovers ended the interview by urging those in stronger positions to assist players like himself for funding for the various tournaments that take place. 

“As a young player, financial support is crucial to seize opportunities and represent our country on an international stage. At this stage I would appreciate any assistance towards helping me realize my goal of being a part of the FISU team. It would be immensely valued and appreciated.”

Wits men's cricket team enjoy triumphant campaign but still seek more success in 2024

20 June 2024 - By S’fiso Nyawo

The Wits men's Cricket team have enjoyed great success throughout the season, clinching the CGL Premier T20 League, the CGL Premier Time League.

The Wits men's Cricket 1^st XI outfit have enjoyed great success throughout the season, clinching the CGL Premier T20 League, The CGL Premier Time League, and topping it off with the CGL Premier Overall League title.

It’s taken a lot of hard work behind the scenes for the team to defy the odds and make it a successful campaign. The team was led out by Adrien Fisher, who is a second year Bachelor of Commerce student, specializing in Finance. Fisher made a change to his degree to focus on finance, which now sees him looking to complete his qualification in 2025. Fisher made his debut for the Wits 1^st team in 2022 as a 1^st year student, where he also captained the side on a temporary basis, before seeing the captaincy permanently handed over to him this year.

Since then, he has not looked back and has guided his troops to a successful campaign so far in 2024 and shared a little what it took for the team to enjoy such success.

“We as a team and a club have certain standards that we have set ourselves and we expect to achieve and uphold these standards 99% of the time. These standards allow us to hold each other and ourselves accountable for our actions. These standards create a high-performance environment that will lead to success if done right. We also have specific processes that help us compete at a high level. They range from early-morning gym and fitness to late-night team practices. These processes are there for us to improve our skills to ultimately lead to winning results. This year so far, the team and our coaching staff have all bought into these standards and processes, which have helped us string performances together.”

The success has meant a lot to the skipper, who furthermore acknowledged the great work put in by the coaches and the team.  “It has just been amazing for me to work with such great players and coaches. The success this year that has come with the job, has ultimately been a bonus. We have worked really hard to get where we are today and therefore it feels extremely rewarding to add some trophies to our cabinet. I am just so privileged to be able to be part of this generation of Wits cricket and I hope to contribute wherever I can one day and leave it in a better place. I am extremely proud of the team and our success this year so far has given me more confidence in this group to achieve even greater things.”

The Wits cricket team have worked incredibly hard to get to where they are today, but captain Adrien Fisher puts that all to just being able to control the controllable. “For us, it is about controlling what we can control and leaving the rest to mother cricket. I would therefore say that a big driving force for the team has been our work ethic, standards, and discipline. We feel that if we can control those parts of our games there will be a higher chance of success and the rest such as winning games and trophies will take care of themselves.” The team have had to endure a bit of a rebuild this year, with the club welcoming new young players and a new coach, which Fisher applauds in seeing a difference from seasons gone by.

“This year we have gone through a bit of a rebuilding phase as we have a young team as well as a new head coach. This has allowed us to create a new identity in our environment and play the brand of cricket that we want to play. This has made this season just a little bit more special as we have been able to lay our own foundation of the type of team that we want to be, while still winning games and trophies. Any season playing for Wits is special, but to be able to do well while still growing as a team and finding our feet makes this season so far that little bit more special.”

The Wits 1^st team will certainly not be resting on their laurels, as they are still hungry for more success this year according to their skipper. “We still have our two biggest tournaments coming up for the year. We have the Varsity Cup T20 tournament and the USSA tournament still ahead of us which will allow us to compete with the best universities in the country. We would love to bring home two more trophies and make history by being the first Wits team to win both of those. We know it is going to be a tough job as the universities in our country are extremely talented and well-trained. We are going to stick to our processes and keep getting better to give ourselves the best opportunity to lift both of those trophies.”

With such a great season having taken place, Fisher believes his highlight of the season was winning the CGL Premier T20 trophy at the Wanderers Stadium, proving the team is moving in the right direction. “The highlight of the season so far is definitely the CGL Premier T20 League final which we ended up winning at the Wanderers stadium. It was the cherry on top of an already great season. To have been able to put a complete performance together in a final where pressure is always high, proved that we are following the right processes. It also allowed us to finish on a high and will hopefully help us carry the momentum into our next two tournaments. Winning that specific final felt like a true reward for the hard work building up throughout the season.”

The interview concluded with Fisher giving flowers to Lutho Sipamla, Connor Esterhuizen, and Moe Manack, who are some of the individual stars in the team. He showered praise on the careers and successes his teammates are enjoying and showing great pride in them also being Witsies.

Harry Saner secures qualification to the 2024 Paris Olympics

3 June 2024 - By S’fiso Nyawo

South African fencer, Harry Saner, secures qualification to represent South Africa at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

A big congratulations goes out to one of our Fencing star, Harry Saner, who recently did incredibly well at the Men’s Individual Epee event at the African qualifiers in Alger, Algeria to secure qualification, where he will be representing South Africa at the 2024 Paris Olympics. 

The Johannesburg born and raised, Saner, is in his 4th year of his Mechanical Engineering degree and is no stranger to the green and gold in Fencing. He has represented the nation numerous times in multiple international events. He however views his most notable achievements as an individual coming at the African Championships, where he clinched a bronze in 2022. He further holds a healthy medal cabinet, with multiple bronze team medals as well. Harry’s 14-year fencing career so far also includes multiple participation at the world championships. 

Harry traces back his love for Fencing coming from his fascination with movies at a young age.

“As a kid, I watched a lot of movies and was absolutely fascinated with all the sword fights. At some point I saw fencing on the TV, and I saw full armour fencing as well. I decided I wanted to be a knight in shining armour. So, I begged my dad to find a fencing place and the rest was history. In terms of modelling my game, I pick up from as many other people as I can in order to make my fencing my own.”

With a solid foundation, Harry was always destined for greatness. He took us back to how he competed at the Epee event in Algeria and what lessons he picked up.

“The event in Algeria went perfectly because I won!! I absolutely had a lot to learn on the day as there were a few close calls for my most important fights. With the semifinal, I lost a significant lead and then I had to fight for my life to make sure I won. My opponent was 14-13 up and it's 15 to win. Luckily, I made the score even and then I landed the winning point. In the finals at the beginning, I had lost the lead but then regained it quickly and managed to maintain it for most of the fight and was absolutely ecstatic to secure that victory. I had never experienced so many emotions in one day before. So, I essentially learnt to manage myself very well to stay on track and refocus so that I could win the final.”

After securing the victory, Harry certainly did not hold back his celebrations, as he knew the goal of Paris Olympics 2024 was well within his grasp.

“Everybody knew that winning the qualifier meant qualifying for Paris. I made sure to calmly walk to my line, salute my opponents and shake hands. Once the Referee had awarded me the match, I was screaming at the top of my voice for as long and as hard as I could, so much so that my voice broke but I kept screaming. It was an absolutely electrifying moment and I'm so glad that my friends and family were there to join me in the victory.”

With the preparations now well underway, Harry exclaims that he isn't going to stray too far away from what's worked for him so far.

“I'm completely focused on my preparation. I'm making sure to manage myself as well as possible. I'm not changing anything with regards to my training, other than increasing the intensity in my training. I'm training specifically to perform as well as possible at the Olympics.”

When asked about the benefit of Fencing to him, Harry looked far beyond himself. He dreams of seeing the growth of Fencing in the country.

“The biggest benefit for me at competing at such a high level has been the inspiration that I give to the younger people in the fencing community. Seeing the excitement of familiar faces basking in victory with me, is such a meaningful experience and I hope that my continuation to compete at such a high level will help to grow our fencing community, as well as inspire as many South Africans as possible.”

Harry always manages to find the best out of everything, including his balance in his academics and his fencing, which he finds works hand-in-hand.

“I think fencing actually improves my academics. Being so fit and having to train allows me to stay focused for longer, which assists in my studies as I then find myself being more productive. I have however also had a few hiccups along the way, which is common with any engineering degree, and this has had many of my peers left amazed at how I can manage both my degree and my Fencing. I've managed to do both by studying whenever I can between my training and during competition preparation. For example, I've spent many hours looking at my books either on buses or during travel and in strange and foreign places.”

Harry concluded the interview, sharing his gratitude to some of the people and institutions that have helped him steer his career to where he finds himself today.

“It takes a village to raise a child and I couldn't have made it or gone as far as I have without the support of my friends, family and training partners at my home fencing club, Tyshler Fencing School. I look forward to working more with the Wits Fencing Club to deepen the love and passion for Fencing and so that I can share the awesome joys the sport has brought me with even more Witsies.”

Van Den Berg and Van Wyk delighted with Springbok alignment camp call-up

20 May 2024 - By S’fiso Nyawo

Congratulations once again to the former Wits Blues duo, Morne van den Berg and Henco van Wyk

The Wits Rugby Club were delighted to get the good news of former players, Morne van den Berg and Henco van Wyk, being called up to the 2024 Springbok alignment camp, with Henco unfortunately seeing his Springbok dream put on ice after suffering a serious injury in recent weeks.

Henco is fortunately recovering well after his surgery and hopes to be back out on the pitch soon.

Morne van den Berg on the other hand, who is a former Hoërskool Linden scholar and plays at scrum half  for the Lions, was at Wits University from 2018 to 2022 but only featured in the Varsity Cup for the Blues in 2019. A fun fact is that Morne opted for a switch to Wits after having attended crosstown rivals UJ.

Morne has a Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in Psychology and Marketing from Wits, which he obtained in 2022. The Lion’s star has moved through the junior ranks in the Lions set up, having played in the U16 Grant Khomo, Lions Academy, before making his debut for the Lions in a Superhero Sunday match against the Bulls in 2020. He later earned his full Super Rugby debut against the Jaguares of Argentina, being involved in 7 games before 足球竞彩app排名 wreaked havoc.

Morne also recently reached a phenomenal milestone of 90 caps for the Lions, in their game against Munster at Ellis Park in the United Rugby Championship.

It's been a great journey so far for Morne, who has done incredibly well for himself since leaving the Wits Blues. He took the time out to share how everything has gone since then.

 “After the Varsity Cup, I was in the 2019 Lions Currie Cup squad, but I actually continued playing club rugby for Wits and we won the Pirates Grand Challenge for the first time in many years that year. In 2020 I thought I’d play Varsity Cup but then I had my Super Rugby debut and from there I went on to play for the Lions, where I’ve enjoyed over 60 caps. So, it’s been good afterwards.”

Morne is grateful for the opportunity to play in the royal blue strip, which afforded him the exposure to fulfil his dream of a budding rugby career. “Playing in the Varsity Cup provided me with a platform to get exposed to good rugby at an early age, which has really set me up nicely for the future.”

After leaving the Varsity rugby scene, Morne has had quite a few highs, with his favourite rugby memory coming from his senior debut for the Lions, which has now seen him rack up an astonishing 90 senior caps.

Henco van Wyk	Morne van den Berg

“My favourite rugby memory so far is certainly scoring in my first senior game in a Superhero Sunday game for the Lions against the Bulls, with my 50^th game for the Lions also being a special moment.”

After some consistently impressive performances in the red and white strip of the Lions, Morne earned a well-deserved Springbok alignment camp call-up, which left him grateful and excited with the prospect of learning more about the game. “I felt very overwhelmed and excited when I got the news of being a part of the camp. It’s an opportunity to learn a lot, which excites me very much.”

Morne’s rugby journey has been one to marvel at, but it has taken a great deal to get to reach his current level, as he explains the effort that's gone into it. “A lot of hard work, sacrifice and patience, which has included a lot of hours doing what needs to be done and not what is fine to do. I’ll definitely also say a lot of luck has played its role, but you make your own luck. I’ve also had unbelievable people in my life that have supported me and helped me get through all the trials and tribulations. Belief in oneself has also been vital in my journey.”

The journey to the highest level is never an easy one but Morne concluded the interview by sharing a little advice to other student athletes looking to get to unlock the next level.

“Believe in yourself and look to do more than what's required and always look to work harder than everybody else. Always pitch up first and work hard on your craft.”

Congratulations once again to the former Wits Blues duo, Morne van den Berg and Henco van Wyk. We would like to wish Henco all the best in his recovery and the best of luck to Morne, as he embarks on another level of his playing career.

Duane Bennett Strikes Green and Gold

9 May 2024 - By S’fiso Nyawo

Congratulations to Duane Bennett, who recently received a SA U-20 Men’s National Team (Amajita) call-up in preparation for the 2025 AFCON qualifiers.

Congratulations to one of our budding young football talents, Duane Bennett, who recently received a South African U-20 Men’s National Team (Amajita) call-up in preparation for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. 

Duane Bennett who hails from Reiger Park in Boksburg is currently doing his first year of a Bachelor of Arts degree at Wits University. He joined a week-long training camp in preparation for the 2025 African Cup of Nations Qualifiers which are set to start in September 2024.

Bennett who is a loanee from Soweto giants, Kaizer Chiefs, has been playing his favoured sport for many years, having played in a few tournaments in Europe in his more junior years. 

“Football has always been a part of the family, my father played football before me but couldn’t make it professionally due to certain circumstances. I grew up playing the game and fell in love with it at an early age. I would have never thought it would have brought me so far and for that I’ll forever be grateful.”

Outside of his family, the 19-year-old Bennett draws his inspiration from not just one player in the professional space but an array of global superstars that push him to be the best version of himself on and off the field.

“There are a number of players I look up to. I wouldn’t say I model my game around them but learn from them as much as possible to try and improve my game and excel as an individual on and off the pitch. Players like Trent Alexander Arnold, Virgil Van Dijk, and Jamal Musiala however spring to mind.”

Duane was recently rewarded for his hard work, with a national team call-up, which left him shocked yet excited for what lays ahead.

“I was in shock when I received the news, not knowing what to think or say. It has always been a dream of mine to represent my country and I'm grateful for the opportunity I have been given.”

With any career, there are always setbacks and Duane backs his process, seeing it as a way that helps him excel in his craft. “I remember why I started and the responsibilities I have. I always tell myself that God didn’t bring me thus far to leave me here, his plans far exceed the ones I have for myself, so I submit and abide and wait on his timing.”

“Representing my family has also always pushed me to do even better and by playing football, I do not only represent myself but them as well.”

Duane’s advice to players looking to find the fortune he’s found so far in his career is to really push yourself and believe but above all else. “Pray, work hard, stay consistent, and always look for ways to improve yourself and those around you.”

If football had not been a successful path, Duane feels he would’ve looked at an entrepreneurial path, based on the teachings he’s received from football. “I’ve dedicated my whole life to the sport, so it would be hard to say but I think I’d go more into the business industry, become an entrepreneur because if there is one thing football has taught me, it would be that with discipline you can achieve a lot.”

Duane concluded the interview by sharing how he’s managed to balance a busy academic schedule with his football commitments. “It’s challenging at times and requires a lot of sacrifices, but it becomes easier when you develop good time management skills.”

Duane Bennett is certainly a player to look out for in the football sphere, where he is not short of passion, talent and drive. 

Giada Prinsloo strikes gold with SA U21 Netball Call Up

22 April 2024 - By S’fiso Nyawo

Prinsloo recently received a call-up to be part of the South African U21 Netball squad to represent the country in the Netball World Youth Cup 2025 Qualifiers.

Congratulations to Giada Prinsloo, who recently received the news of a call up to the South African U21 Netball squad, where she represented the country at the Netball World Youth Cup 2025 Qualifiers Africa.

Giada, who plays as a Goal Shooter and a Goal Attack, has shown great promise already in her budding Netball career, already having been apart of the Gauteng Fireballs team in 2023 and 2024. She further claimed the Rising Sportswoman award at the 2023 Wits Sports awards.

The talented Prinsloo is currently doing her first year in Biomedical engineering, after transferring from a Biological Science degree last year. She’s been in the Wits Sport set up since 2023, collecting 19 caps for the University, through playing in the USSA, Gauteng Super League and the Varsity Netball tournament.

We were fortunate to catch up with Giada, to discuss her recent success and what really keeps her going, and how she is able to balance her personal life, academics, and Netball career.

What motivated you to start playing Netball? “I started in pre-primary, so it was most likely the case of doing what all my friends were doing. Maybe also because my mom was the coach, so in this case I was kindly obliged to participate.”

What went through your mind when you got the news of the SA U21 call-up? “Honestly not much of anything. I found out via a post on Instagram in which somebody had tagged me, so it was quite sudden and unexpected. It was so surreal seeing my name and honestly felt like a dream. I finally grasped the fact that I actually MADE the team, when we had our capping ceremony where I received my dress. Thereafter I was ecstatic but stressed knowing that I had to represent my country.”

What’s been key to your success so far? “Hard work, perseverance, sacrifices and my support system which is my family and especially my Wits teammates.”

How do you balance academics and Netball? “I’d say this is where the sacrifices come in. Being a student-athlete means to sometimes reject certain invitations and having a limited social life. Most of my weekends are dedicated to academics as it’s a constant feeling of having to “catch up”. Especially being a high-performance athlete there have been many days maybe even a full week at a time where I am unable to attend class since I am at some kind of tournament. This means any off time that is available, should be focused on completing assignments and keeping up with the work discussed during the lectures. So, I’d say the key to balance is self-discipline thus knowing when to work and when to play.”

How has Wits aided you to succeed in your Netball career? “Playing for Wits and having the opportunity to compete in the Varsity Netball tournament has definitely helped me with exposure. In both USSA and the Varsity Netball tournament, I was given the opportunity to compete against the best players at varsity level and showcase skills that could lead to being selected for certain teams. But Wits have not just aided me on a sporting level. Financially, Wits has made it possible for me to be able to study in the first place and I can wholeheartedly say that the office and management aided a great deal in being able to balance both playing and academics, whether it’s with letters of my absence, helping to reschedule missed tests or even just someone to offer guidance when obligations become overwhelming. I don’t think there’s enough “thank you” in the world to express my gratitude because Wits has been nothing short of great to me.”

How do you handle adversity or setbacks in life and Netball? “I would say that I am a reserved person, so more often than not, I would just keep to myself in my room for however long I need, where I tend to question why certain things happened the way they did. “It’s God’s will and it just simply was not meant to be” is a motto that I use when I feel like nothing works out the way I had originally planned and that is all I need to get back up the next day.”

What’s your favourite Netball moment? “The whole first day of the African qualifiers was a memorable highlight for me. Having people cheer and chant for you while running onto the court is invigorating. I felt important and at that moment I finally grasped that I was there to compete. Afterwards when making our way back to the team shuttle, there are people, young girls, and aspiring players waiting to take pictures with you. I couldn’t believe that someone that I had never even met before wanted an actual picture of me! I felt like a celebrity and not a single smile, out of the hundreds of pictures I had taken, was fake.”

How do you stay motivated and disciplined? “It’s as easy as telling myself that I am privileged to be in the position I am. There’s always somebody else with the same drive and motivation that has yet to have the opportunity, so I try not to take mine for granted. My motivation lies in the fact that netball is a team sport, meaning that I’m never struggling alone. When I’m feeling tired on court, I can draw energy from my teammates giving me that extra push. I enjoy the game but most importantly I enjoy the company of my teammates and that alone makes me want to get up in the morning for an early gym session.”

Giada concluded our chat, by sharing a quote she lives by, which is “If God brings you to it; He will bring you through it.”, showing her belief in God, who strengthens her belief in herself.

Nkoane earns Banyana Banyana call up and acknowledges Wits for a football lifeline

12 April 2024 - By S’fiso Nyawo

Lesego Nkoane has been the latest Witsie to impress on the women’s football international stage, where she recently received a call-up from Coach Desiree Ellis to represent Banyana Banyana in an Olympic qualifiers final against Tanzania.

The Soweto-born midfielder is currently doing her third year in a general Bachelor of Arts degree at Wits University and has been a part of the ladies' football set since 2019. 

It’s been quite exciting to see her grow in her game, and she speaks of starting and falling in love with the game at a young age, which has fuelled her passion.

 “It’s always been something I love doing. I grew up playing football from the age of 9 and since then I’ve never stopped.”

A call-up to the national team is an honour for any player and things aren’t different with the playmaker, who shared her reaction after hearing the news of the call-up.

“To be honest I didn’t know how to feel, I was full of emotions but mostly I was honoured to get the call and I was delighted that the hard work, I’ve been putting in was finally being noticed.”

The journey has not been an easy one, but Lesego let us in on what’s been the key to her success, in a sport that is very demanding.

“Well, hard work, dedication, and discipline. There’s a quote by Michael Jordan that says, “Be true to the game, because the game will be true to you”, which has kept me going up to this point.”

With the demands of football already being high, juggling it with academics can be a tricky task but Nkoane has found her balance that’s helped her cope. 

“Well, honestly it’s not that easy to balance football and academics but when I’m not at training, every free chance I get, I dedicate it to my academics, whether it’s two to three hours a day.”

Wits University also hasn’t just been a place of academics for Lesego. The institution has assisted her in finding her feet again in the footballing world, after a difficult period in her playing career.

“So, after my injury, I was out for two years and after not playing for a while, I made my return in 2019, where I decided to play for Wits and since then the university has helped me get back into the game.”

With such a setback, it's never easy and it may be a lonely period but the midfielder never stops believing in overcoming anything in life.

“I always tell myself that I’m human and I’m meant to make mistakes in order to learn. Also, one thing I always tell myself is that the comeback will be greater.” The Wits women’s football maestro concluded.

Lesego Nkoane is certainly a player to look out for in future, with her favourite footballing moment being her first national cap. She however remains fixated on achieving her goal of one day playing her football abroad, which keeps her motivated.

FNB Wits looking to finish the Varsity Cup campaign strong

5 April 2024 - By S’fiso Nyawo

"...when the moment comes, you’ve got to come with a player that’s available."

FNB Wits has seen a seesaw season in the Varsity Cup, starting the season well but being hampered by injuries in crucial positions that now sees the team languishing in 5^th spot on the log standings, ahead of the final round of fixtures against FNB Shimlas.

Once again, the team was led by head coach Hugo van As with Ngia Selengbe captaining the side for the 2024 campaign. Selengbe was one of the first causalities to injury, which saw Cal Smid taking the reigns before he was also sidelined, seeing the team seeking other leadership.

The loss of players in key positions led to a few young players getting an opportunity to don the blue strip, making it a tough season without some of the more experienced campaigners but a great building block for the future.

The team got their season underway in fine style, defeating FNB UWC 66-10 at the UWC Sports Stadium in round one, producing an outstanding display. It set the team off well for the second round, where the Witsies played in front of a packed Wits Rugby stadium against FNB CUT, which proved a tough encounter that the boys in Blue saw off with a 34-17 victory. The third fixture saw a tricky trip to the Danie Craven stadium, where the Wits team took on a strong FNB Maties side under tough wet and windy conditions. The game saw an end-to-end battle, with Maties in the end squeezing through to clinch a hard fought 23-12 triumph.

The fourth round saw our boys going down 51-22 against a formidable FNB NWU Eagles outfit at the Fanie Du Toit Ground, where the Witsies let things slip late on in the fixture, seeing the hosts’ off to an emphatic victory. In the fifth round, our Blues welcomed FNB UCT, in one of the most exciting games of the season, where our boys clawed their way to a last gasp 33-all draw. It was certainly a game that could’ve been won but the mere fightback from the Witsies was incredible to witness. The much-anticipated Joburg Derby then beckoned as we made the short trip down the road in the sixth round, where we met a highly motivated FNB UJ team that ran rampant, securing a 49-26 victory over our Witsies.

FNB Wits head coach, Hugo van As, felt that lack of experience in the team was not the only factor for the turn in fortune for the Witsies but losing players in key positions made life difficult for the boys to keep the momentum, but they are turning a sour situation into something for the future.

“I don’t want to really use lack of experience as an excuse because our motto and what we stand for is when the moment comes, you’ve got to come with a player that’s available and so I must be honest. However losing players in key positions like 2, 9, 10, and 12 isn’t great, including our 4 and 5 locks with one or two loose forwards. That is however an opportunity for us to invest in the future and an opportunity for the next player to make use of the chance.”

FNB Wits will have one last chance to give it their all and possibly cement a 5^th place finish with a win against the FNB Shimlas, who are now just playing for a home semifinal.

“The team will now want to finish strong in the last round and it’s a home game in front of our own crowd and I think it’s important for us to finish strong, because in our game against UJ, we were not on song and they were just on top of their game, so there will be a desire from the team to finish strong and see where we finish on the log.” - Wits head coach Hugo van As concluded.

Wits Sport Director, Mandla Gagayi looking to give Witsies a new lease on life through sport

15 August 2024 -

Wits has swiftly become a force to be reckoned within sport around the country, which has come as result of the hard work and foundations laid behind the scenes

The university was recently proud to announce and welcome a shift in leadership in the sports department, with Mr Mandla Gagayi taking the reins as the new Wits Sport director.

Mr Gagayi was born in a small town of Molteno, next to Queenstown in the Eastern Cape, in 1976, where he completed his secondary education before moving to his family home in Dobsonville, Soweto in 1996. 

Mandla comes with vast leadership experience in the university sporting space, having previously served as the head of sport at Rhodes University in Grahamstown between 2010 and 2015, before taking up a role of Director of Sport at the University of the Western Cape from 2015 to June 2024. 

The Wits director's duties will entail strategically leading the repositioning of Wits Sport in the context of high-performance student sport and taking the importance of ‘sports for all’ into account, so as to promote student health and wellness across the campuses. In doing so, he will have to ensure adequate resources to support the strategy.

It's an exciting time for Wits Sport to welcome such an experienced personnel in the sporting space, in which Mr Gagayi expressed a feeling of confidence in joining the Witsie family.

“I am content and confident in that I have been working in the university sport environment for the past 22 years, as such, I have always known Wits Sport and its vision for sport.”

Mr Mandla Gagayi further expressed his vision for Wits Sport, saying his vision is to see Wits as the leader in sports performance and research. He then further added on how the ball has started rolling in making the vision a reality.

“I first had to meet with all the role players at Wits to understand how their services/offerings are aligned with Wits Sport. The purpose of these arrangements was also to ensure that Wits Sport is aligned with the University’s Vision 2033 and not operate in a silo.”

“The change will however start with ensuring that all the current vacancies are filled so that we can build a professional and high-performance work ethic that has every team member’s buy-in and accountability. The same culture will be cascaded down to coaches, student athletes, and Wits Sport affiliates will have to understand their ‘why’ they are at Wits and take accountability for it. This will be a culture and work ethic that will ensure that we realize our Vision for 2033.”

With the exciting time ahead under the leadership of Mandla Gagayi, there is plenty the student athletes and supporters can look forward to the director shared.

“足球竞彩app排名 athletes must look forward to fully taking ownership of their performance. This means co-planning and setting of performance standards, so that no results are accidental. This will take time because it requires culture change or change of habits. As such, the supporters will need to be patient and trust the process as well as provide the much-needed constructive criticism. They must do that with the understanding that student athletes are first students before they are athletes. Most importantly, both student athletes and supporters must always understand that Wits teams do not perform to prove anyone wrong, but they must perform to show gratitude and appreciation to those who support them.”

Mr Mandla Gagayi concluded by sharing what impact he feels sport has on student athletes.

“Sport teaches student athletes the human skills that they would otherwise never learn in class (e.g building friendships, dealing with losses, celebrating successes, playing within the rules, etc.). Sport allows student athletes to get to know their true selves and learn to cope with different pressures. 足球竞彩app排名 athletes further get to travel abroad or by air through sport, giving a true meaning to ‘sport changes lives.”

Wits Women's Football Looking to rise from the past

26 August 2024 -

The 2024 Varsity Women’s Football tournament is now a thing of the past, but many lessons were learned by the Wits women’s football team.

Although failing to make it out the group, the Witsies played with true passion, showcasing what they are capable of in their performances that unfortunately still found the ladies falling on the wrong side of the result more often than not.

The showpiece that was hosted at the Tshwane University of Technology was once again nothing short of great, with the growth of women’s football in the country well and alive, as many got to witness some of the best in women’s football.

Wits Women’s Football team head coach, Siphesihle Ngalmane took a few positives from his troop's performances at the tournament, singing praises of the display out on the pitch.

“I was thoroughly impressed by the effort put out by the Wits women's team at the tournament. We showed great determination, skill, and teamwork throughout the competition.”

With that being said, there was an evident slight gap between the Witsies and the top performing teams, but Ngalmane fears not, as he explained what he feels could help cut the gap and see Wits playing at a higher level.

“To cut the gap between ourselves and the teams that progressed to the knockout stage, we could focus on improving our set pieces, working on our finishing, and building on our possession play. Additionally, we could analyze our games, identify areas for improvement, and work on our fitness levels to maintain a high intensity throughout the matches.”

There is still plenty of football to be played for the Witsies and Ngalmane sees the rest of the year as a good time to build on what's happened and get the team ready to compete at their best capacity.

“Until the end of the year, we will be focusing on our training and development, working on our weaknesses, and building on our strengths. We will also be competing in friendly matches and local tournaments to gain more experience and game time. This will be our preparations for the USSA’s.”

The Wits team was evidently well supported throughout their campaign and head coach Siphesihle Ngalmane concluded by sharing his gratitude to those that so often took the time to spur the team on.

“To the Wits supporters who watched and supported us at TUT and at home, I'd like to say a huge thank you! Your energy and encouragement mean the world to us. Your support is what drives us to push ourselves and strive for excellence. Keep believing in us and cheering us on - your support is invaluable!”

Mazibuko puts pen to paper with the ‘Chilli Boys’

30 August 2024 -

Sifiso Mazibuko is the latest Witsie to make waves in the local football sphere after he was signed by Betway Premiership outfit, Chippa United in July.

Mazibuko, who hails from eNquthu in KwaZulu Natal but raised in Benrose, Johannesburg, started playing professional football at the age of 16, featuring for Jomo Cosmos in the National First Division and further representing the same club at U23 level in a preseason tournament in Spain, in which Cosmos won.

The 20-year-old, who is a first year Bachelor of Arts student at Wits University, saw his passion for football fostered at the tender age of 8, just after he had moved to Johannesburg, where he started off as a centre-back at New Model Private College. Even though football is at the forefront for Mazibuko, he does take his academics seriously, which has led to him making changes for his progress not to be hindered.

“I've changed my course so that I can access my education online, which is how I believe I’ll be able to tackle the rest of the semester, with a now busier schedule. Should it be successful, I'll continue with it, but should it not work out, then I'll pause at the end of the year and continue when I come back to Johannesburg.”

Mazibuko has grown in leaps and bounds since his 8-year-old self, playing as a centre-back, having already spent two years in the Wits student team and plying his trade in the SuperSport United Multichoice Diski Challenge team, where he was spotted by scouts from the ‘Chilli Boys’. A delighted Mazibuko shared his story of how he got spotted, which brought a sense of pride in his achievement.

“I got scouted by Chippa United, through the Multichoice Diski Challenge, while I was playing for SuperSport United as I had a fantastic first season with them. I have never been so proud as I saw this as a great opportunity for me to kickstart my career.”

Speaking about his time with Wits football, Mazibuko is grateful for the opportunities granted to him by the institution, which have aided him in making a success of his budding career.

“Wits has had a tremendous impact on me, exposing me to different facilities that I've never had in my football life, I was also very fortunate to get some of the best coaching under Coach Xavi, Coach Krol and Coach Abraham, which I’m grateful for.”   

The now elusive winger attributes a lot of his success to the support of his father, whom he feels has been the backbone in his journey so far.

“My father Sibusiso Mazibuko deserves all the praise for my career, as he has been with me since day one. He has never missed a game of mine from the development side until the professional side. He has always taken me to training, fetched me and followed my progress with a keen eye.”

Before departing, Mazibuko, had a few words to share with others looking to follow his path and gain entrance into the highest level in South African football.

“Those looking for success in football, must believe in what they are doing and always push themselves above their limits by never skipping a day of training, because hard work always pays off.” Mazibuko concluded.

Pillay eager to continue volleyball success at Wits

30 September 2024 -

Wits Volleyball's performance improves significantly.

The Wits Volleyball club have raised their game tremendously in recent months, competing and doing well at various tournaments, which include the USSA’s, where the best in South Africa’s universities meet to battle it out.

The more recent success however came in the Darshan Elite cup ladies section, where the Witsies were crowned champions in this challenging competition.

One of the figures in the team that played an instrumental role, was second year in Digital Arts Engineering student, Mikisha Aryanna Pillay, who was also selected for the National students’ team at the USSA tournament in July.

Upon being named in the USSA team of the tournament for her outstanding performances, Mikisha expressed her experience after receiving the news.

“I was beyond excited. Participating in USSA is always such a great experience and really helps bring the team together. You also get to watch so many other great players from all over South Africa play the sport that you love. It’s always inspiring.”

Mikisha joined the Wits Volleyball club in January 2024, but is already making waves in the sport, further gaining a Gauteng selection to compete at the IPTs.

Mikisha is certainly no rookie, with her love for Volleyball being fostered at a tender age, which has now seen her soar to new heights.

“I watched my dad and other family members play volleyball for as long as I can remember, so I sort of grew up in it but didn’t really take much interest in it when I was younger. As an athlete, I played multiple sports but once I started playing high school volleyball and club volleyball, no other sport compared.”

The Darshan Elite cup victory was no small feat, with a big effort being put in by the Witsies to claim the honours, where Mikisha describes her experience as one filled with lessons and excitement. 

“The experience at the Darshan Cup was great. I learnt many lessons during that tournament and got a lot of exposure to different types of game play. The team and I had a blast competing and keeping each other excited and motivated to play and defeat the next team that walked on court.” 

In the competition, the Wits ladies often knew they could turn to each other for a better outcome, which accompanied with discipline, Mikisha described as the team’s recipe to success.

“Discipline, trust, cohesion and having fun was key in us being victorious. The team knew that they could rely on each other to execute game play well, making the team work like a well-oiled machine, which ultimately made playing each game fun and exciting.”

There will be plenty more to look forward to from the Wits Volleyball club, which Mikisha is also excited about, exclaiming that supporters can expect more great wins and stronger players in the future.

Liebenberg claims two USSA bronze medals as Wits Swimming Club looks to reclaim the glory

4 October 2024 -

The resurgence of the Wits Swimming Club

After a number of years not competing at the highest level, challenging other institutions at the high university sports level, the Wits Swimming club has been revived, which saw a valiant effort being put out by the swimmers at 2024 USSA championships.

There was plenty of excitement and nerves amongst the athletes competing, after the Wits Swimming club was re-established at the beginning of the year. The Wits swimmers certainly did the university and themselves proud, returning with a wealth of experience and some inspiring results.

The standout performer in the Wits team was third year medicine student, Suné Liebenberg, who returned with two bronze medals in the 50m and 100m Backstroke events. Liebenberg is no stranger to the pool, having started her swimming journey at 9 years old. She represented South Africa at the Junior African games, before taking a brief break after leaving high school. She returned to competitive swimming at the beginning of this year.

Upon her return from USSA, it was an honour to catch up with her and get her take on the Wits Swimming club going to the 2024 USSA competition.

“It was an amazing first experience to represent Wits University at a competition. We didn’t know what to expect going into USSA, it was an unknown territory for us but regardless the team spirit was incredible with team members providing maximum support to each other. This is definitely giving the swimming team motivation to keep training and improving for next year’s competition.”

Liebenberg then shared how the preparations went before the competition and how the team did not allow a few obstacles deter them from preparing for their first USSA appearance.

“Unfortunately, USSA was right after winter, and with swimming, it makes training conditions quite tough. We had a few hurdles to overcome, but we arranged for the USSA team to gym together in the mornings, build on our strength, and also made use of warmer afternoons to train in the Wits swimming pool. I also convinced private gyms such as Virgin Active to make use of their facilities for the few weeks leading up to USSA.”

Despite this year’s appearance being a first for the club, Liebenberg believes competing at competitions like the USSA’s can only bring positivity to the team.

“USSA is the perfect opportunity to experience the competitive environment and see that being a competitive student athlete is possible. It motivates swimmers and teams to keep showing up for training and other responsibilities, and it is also a great way to boost the morale of a team and bring that positive energy back to their respective university, and influence other students to participate.”

When asked about what it took for her to achieve the two bronze medals, Liebenberg spoke on the challenge of balancing her academic and swimming commitments, with her dedication and hard work fortunately paying off in the end.

“Studying medicine and swimming has been a challenge. I took a 3-year break after I matriculated and only started my training journey earlier this year. It took a lot of dedication and hard work to balance the two, but thankfully the commitment paid off.”

Liebenberg now dreams of seeing the Wits swimming club grow and expressed what can be expected from the club going into 2025.

“We want to attract more students by hosting local events and fun activities for the upcoming year. We will also keep on sending a team for national university events such as USSA.” 

Varsity Netball's last dance leaves Chiranga proud of her team

9 October 2024 -

A young Wits team led out by Panashe Chiranga once again took to the tournament, spread over two months and across eight universities.

With the 2024 Varsity Netball season, now a thing of the past, the Wits ladies’ team can look back and be proud of their second ever showing in the prestigious University competition.

Wits University proudly hosted the first round of fixtures at the Wits Multipurpose Sports Hall, where the Witsies played in two tough fixtures that unfortunately did not go their way. Better days did however eventually come later in the showpiece, where the Wits team picked up two wins out of the seven games played. The two wins came in the form of a massive 86-24 scoreline against the Tshwane University of Technology, as well as a 62-50 victory over the Nelson Mandela University.

Captain Panashe Chiranga beamed with pride as she looked back on her last experience of the tournament with Wits.

“It was an absolute dream playing our second campaign of this prestigious tournament. Being at the biggest stage of University Sports as a contender was a surreal experience. There was great improvement in the overall team performance, which was a testament to the hard work we did throughout the year together. For myself as, Panashe Chiranga, it was a full-circle moment to play my second campaign of Varsity Netball as this was my last year playing at university level.”

The competition is tough, with seasoned University teams participating, Chiranga went on to delve into what the team took away from competing at such a demanding tournament.

“Considering we were once again a really young team with a number of first years, the competition brought us great exposure to the highest level of university sports and a necessary learning experience for the team going forward in preparation for their careers in the High-Performance University space and beyond.”

At the end of the competition, the Witsies ran some of the more experienced teams closer than expected, which really reflected the work going on behind the scenes, with Dr Elsje Jordaan and her staff hard at work. The team achieved a sixth-place finish in the log standings, showing a great improvement from the debut season in 2023.

The Wits skipper concluded by sharing what can be expected from this young Wits side, which will certainly grow in leaps and bounds with the highly experienced coaching staff around them.

“An immense growth can be expected in future from this Wits squad, with new talent coming and greater experience from the current players. Prepare to see a game of high calibre from the Wits Netball squad.”