DIRECTOR’S CUT

Patricia Lawrence, Director: Department for Institutional Advancement

This special edition of Blue and Gold celebrates the University of the Western Cape’s (UWC) 60th anniversary and our sporting milestones. In this issue, we honour both the new and stalwart generations of sporting alumni for their contribution in leading UWC to the dynamic sports legacy which we are so proud of.

A close connection existed between politics and sports in apartheid South Africa, on both sides of the racial divide. Not only did apartheid interfere in sports in a myriad ways but sports was also used as a means to mobilise support in the fight against the oppressive regime. As with church institutions, the then-government wanted to continue participating in the international arena. It could, therefore, not afford to ban sporting activity or organisations when, already, political and civil organisations were suppressed. This provided a window of opportunity for UWC sporting heroes and other student activists to use sports to advance the fight against the authoritarian university management as well as the oppressive actions of the apartheid government.

Being involved in sports presented the perfect cover to advance political activities on campus. Many footballers, as well as cricket and rugby players, were part of the political formations. The slogan was “No normal sport in an abnormal society” and rugby, in particular, was used as a political tool against the system. This slogan also motivated the University to move away from federation rugby to join the Tygerberg League, a non-segregated rugby league. The likes of Professor Adam Small, Prof Jakes Gerwel, Dr Danny Jordaan, Prof Julian Smith, Oom Tobie Titus, Gary Boshoff, Philip October and many others resisted and stood firm in their beliefs.

Many UWC alumni fought to lay the foundation that allows the modern UWC student to enjoy the fruit of this hard labour.

This edition of the magazine aims to allow alumni and current students to commemorate their alma mater in a proverbial “mass gathering” of a special kind. In this issue, we have tried to go beyond merely reporting the events that have led to our illustrious sporting legacy – both past and present. Our focus has rather been to celebrate and honour our current sports heroes as well as allow alumni to be heard, to reflect on their legacy, and to reminisce about campus life and the political “action”, sports heroes and characters of their time.

Here’s to the next 60 years — and many more sporting memories.

INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT DIRECTOR Patricia Lawrence • UWC SPORTS DIRECTOR Mandla Gagayi • EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Gasant Abarder • EDITOR Myolisi Gophe • COMMISSIONING EDITOR Nashira Davids • MANAGING EDITOR Nastasha Crow • ART DIRECTOR Mish-al van Rijmenant • COPY EDITOR Zainab Slemang van Rijmenant • CONTRIBUTORS Amy Myers, Backpage Pix for Cricket South Africa, Clement Du Plessis, Dumisani Koyana, Getty Images, Harriet Box, John Thwaits, Ilhaam Groenewald, X-Nita Stuurman, Lonwabo Marele, Lyndon Julius, SA Rugby, Wrap It Up PR & Communications, Zaahier Adams