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FUTURE RISING
FUTURE RISING The appointment of UWC Sport’s new rugby head coach marks a look into the bright, innovative future of sports at the University
By Gasant Abarder
When the University of the Western Cape (UWC) announced the appointment of Paul Treu as its new Head Coach for Rugby in July, it did so with an eye on the future of the sport. Coach Treu is no stranger to the South African public after serving with distinction as the Head Coach of the Springbok Sevens, Head Coach of the Kenya Sevens, Defensive Coach of the Stormers and the Performance and Innovation Manager of the Western Province Rugby Football Union. His most recent post was as the High-Performance 7s Consultant for the Japan Rugby Football Union and he has also worked with international coaches Robbie Deans and Eddie Jones.
Treu epitomises what UWC Sport is trying to achieve under the guidance of Director of Sport Mandla Gagayi. The latter’s philosophy is to offer studentathletes the best of both worlds with a high-quality tertiary education and the opportunity to play sports at the highest levels. Treu, who himself holds a masters degree in Sports Directorship from Manchester Metropolitan University in the United Kingdom, a masters in Educational Psychology from the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) and honours in Education from Stellenbosch University, says his formative years were shaped at UWC while completing his Higher Diploma in Education. It was during this time that he developed a great affinity for UWC and its role in society.
“I just want to thank everyone at the University of the Western Cape for appointing me as the head coach of the Varsity Cup team. I started my career at the University as a player and now I’m returning as a coach. I am really excited to start working with the team, staff and everyone at the University,” he says.
UWC Rugby participates in the FNB Varsity Cup — South Africa’s premier university rugby competition. Treu will succeed iconic former World Cup-winning Springbok and UWC Head Coach Chester Williams, who passed away tragically in October last year. They considered each other close friends and peers and Treu will be looking to carry on with the work Williams had begun and which was carried through the disrupted 2020 competition by interim Head Coach and Assistant Coach Lionel Langenhoven.
“I regard myself as a dynamic, cutting-edge leader with extensive experience in professional sports,” Treu said during his interview for the UWC Head Coach: Rugby position.
“I am exploring opportunities to team up with a high-performance organisation that relies on innovation and critical thinking, which, in turn, prioritises bestpractice methods to achieve their goal.
“As a recent Masters of Science (MSc) graduate with distinction in Sports Directorship, I offer a variety of skill sets to meet the increasing demands of elite sport and enthusiastically support the objectives of an organisation that has an unwavering quest for excellence.
“I believe the next generation in rugby will require even more
innovative approaches to performance than ever before. As technology has become more pervasive and information more freely accessible, it is the ability to process, filter and commit to what is important in the ‘big data’ landscape that will set organisations apart. This is as true in sports as it is of any other industry.
“In this regard, the network alluded to previously, which I have access to through my international work, experiences and studies, as well as an ability to manage and interpret the
details whilst retaining a clear vision of the ‘big picture’ are key competitive advantages that I believe I bring to this role,” he finished.
Of Treu’s appointment, Gagayi says: “Mr Treu’s appointment reinforces our strategy towards the promotion of balance between academia and sports. It also reaffirms our commitment to the transformation of rugby as a sport where black coaches are usually overlooked or under-utilised.
“I want to take this opportunity to also thank interim coach, Mr
Lionel Langenhoven, for ably guiding the University through a difficult Varsity Cup campaign after the sudden and painful loss of Coach Chester”.
Professor Tyrone Pretorius, Rector and Vice-Chancellor at UWC, believes that universities are key in the development of the sportsmen and women of the future, and sees Treu as an example of what can be achieved when student-athletes create a balance between their careers in sports and academics. “We are pleased to have him on board and wish him all the best in his new role. He has an excellent track record, having been in charge of very successful Springbok 7s campaigns,” says Prof Pretorius.
“His appointment illustrates that we have to think about life beyond the COVID-19 pandemic. While we have to deal with the consequences of having to work from home, we must not become trapped by this reality and his appointment shows that the University has a keen eye on the future.”
Latsha, who hails from Khayelitsha, rose from playing in the Springbok Women’s Sevens team to captaining the 15’s national side in 2019. In her first year on the job, she led the team to qualify for the 2021 World Cup. SA’s inaugural participation in this tournament is anticipated to usher in an exciting new chapter for women’s rugby in the country – one in which UWC is ready to play an increasingly larger role.
THEMBI KGATLANA The world at her feet
When Thembi Kgatlana blasted the ball passed Spain’s goalkeeper into the top left corner of the net, she wrote herself into the history books with her magic right boot.
It wasn’t just the first-ever goal scored at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2019, it was Banyana Banyana’s first goal there – making Thembi the first South African woman to score at a FIFA World Cup.
UWC alumna and 2018’s African Women’s Footballer of the Year, Thembi also won the 2018 African Best Goal accolade at the Confederation of African Football (CAF) awards.
Since then, whilst still playing an integral part in the SA team, she moved East European giants, Benfica, in Portugal. In her own words, “Every time I step onto the field God uses me to show off.” At 23, it would seem Thembi really does have the world at her feet. We look forward to seeing what she does in it next.
HERSCHEL JANTJIES Winning hearts at UWC long before the World Cup
These days, everybody knows who Herschel Jantjies is, but before the hungry scrumhalf joined the Springbok team that would ultimately lift up the Web Ellis trophy, he was helping his University’s team attain another coveted (albeit less famous) title: The FNB Varsity Shield. This iconic victory saw the team promoted to the Varsity Cup, making UWC the first previously disadvantaged institution to qualify for South Africa’s premier university rugby competition.
BABALWA LATSHA Flies higher
Babalwa, who graduated with her LLB degree from UWC in 2019, is the captain of the Springbok women’s rugby team. In 2020, she also became the first South African woman rugby player to turn professional - signing with Spanish rugby club, SD Eibar Femenino. Speaking about the move, Babalwa says: ‘It’s a great dream of mine, as Captain of the Springbok Women, to fly the South African flag as high as possible, and I think the perfect place to do that, is in the international arena.” to join Beijing’s BG Phoenix Club and has more recently just been signed by
UWC SPORT: 2019 HIGHLIGHTS IN REVIEW
THE UWC WOMEN’S FOOTBALL TEAM qualified for SA’s first National Women’s League.
UWC PRODUCED NO LESS THAN FIVE PLAYERS in the 26-member Banyana Banyana squad that travelled to France for the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
UWC RUGBY MADE ITS DEBUT IN THE VARSITY CUP. The team made history by becoming the first historically disadvantaged institution to qualify for the premier university rugby competition.
ANTHONY TIMOTEUS AND ROWHALDO RATZ were selected to represent USSA at FASU Africa University Cross Country Champs in Morocco.
BEJANCKE DELLA was selected to the national Women’s Beach Volleyball team.
MOGAMAAD ZUBAYR HAMZA joined the Proteas cricket team. KEVIN MARTIN participated in the World Pool Chamionships in Qatar.
BONGEKA GAMEDE was selected into the Banyana Banyana team for their first FIFA Women’s World Cup participation.
KURT-LEE ARENDSE was selected for the Springbok’s Sevens team.
NOXOLO CESANE was part of the Banyana Banyana team that won the COSAFA Women’s Championships.
BEACH VOLLEYBALL PAIR LEO WILLIAMS AND
GRANT GOLDSCHMIDT were also selected to represent the country.
CHELSEA DANIELS represented South Africa at the FIFA under-17 World Cup in late 2018.
FANELWA NGECE-AJAYI Chemistry, Communication & Outreach
Dr Fanelwa Ngece-Ajayi is a senior lecturer in Physical Chemistry at UWC, a research leader in the field of drug metabolism nanobiosensors for antiretrovirals and Tuberculosis treatment drugs, and a member of the South African Young Academy of Science. As if that weren’t enough impressive credentials, she’s also the founder and leader of the non-profit organisation, AmaQawe ngeMfundo, which aims to promote and enrich STEM at township schools, providing assistance with academic resources and infrastructure.
MMAKI JANTJIES Using Tech To Transform The World
Prof Mmaki Jantjies, senior lecturer in Information Systems at UWC, has a passion for promoting STEM subjects in developing nations and disadvantaged communities. She’s been named one of News24’s Young Nelson Mandelas, included in the Mail & Guardian’s 200 Young Top Achievers Under 35, and is one of the Inspiring 50 SA Women In Tech. She also coordinates the Mozilla and UN Women technology clubs for young girls – creating safe spaces for high school girls to learn ICT and leadership skills.
SENAMILE MASANGO Nuclear Physics For A Brighter Future
Senamile Masango was part of one of the first African-led experiments at CERN - the most powerful laboratory in the world. Since then, she’s received her master’s in nuclear physics from UWC (cum laude), addressed President Cyril Ramaphosa on the challenges faced by young scientists, and founded Women in Science and Engineering in Africa (Wise Africa). This is an NGO that provides leadership and role models for young people wishing to enter the fields of science and technology.
YOUNG LEADERS BY THE NUMBERS
8The number of exceptional young leaders hailing from UWC who were included in Mail & Guardian’s Young 200 South Africans in 2019. This list celebrates under-35s who are leading the country into a brighter future. 7 Seven UWC students have been selected in as many years to attend the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting in Germany, invited to share their ideas on science and medicine with some of the sharpest minds in the world.
6Six UWC graduates were selected out of thousands of amazing academics to make the GradStar Top 100 Students list in 2019, selected by employers for their ability to make a real impact in the working world. 5 The number of Young Nelson Mandelas who come from the University of the Western Cape. For the Mandela Centenary in 2018, News24 honoured 100 Young Nelson Mandelas, South Africans who embody a legacy of hope and change. 3 The number of UWC women who made the #InspiringFiftySA 2018 list. Hundreds of amazing women were nominated in the fields of science, tech, engineering and mathematics, but only 50 were chosen.
