A YEAR TO REMEMBER

MANDLA GAGAYI, DIRECTOR, UWC SPORT ADMINISTRATION

THIS HAS BEEN A WONDERFUL YEAR for University of the Western Cape (UWC) Sport. I say this based on the goals we set for ourselves and the way we defined what our success should look like.

ON THE FIELD OF PLAY we won the Varsity Shield and achieved promotion to the Varsity Cup; won the Varsity Football women’s competition; won University Sports South Africa (USSA) Dance Sport and USSA Supa Pool; and our men achieved a gold medal in the USSA Rugby 7s while the women’s side were promoted to the Varsity Cup. Students and staff were also selected to represent South Africa at the FIFA Women’s World Cup, the Netball World Cup, the World University Games, and in the Springbok women and South African hockey teams.

HOWEVER, THESE ACHIEVEMENTS are not what this column is about. Instead, I want to pay tribute to the resilience of students and staff in the face of the challenges UWC and the whole higher education sector are experiencing. I also want to welcome new team members Lynn Abrahamse (sport coordinator) and Dale Hoff (swimming pool attendant). I have no doubt they will add value to UWC Sport.

UWC SPORT’S SUCCESS relies on the efforts of staff and students who work behind the scenes to ensure that what people see on the field is presented in a professional manner that promotes the university’s brand and image. Those unsung heroes include our bus drivers, who often work until midnight to ensure student athletes get home safely after each training session and match. They do this even though their buses are sometimes stoned, putting their lives at risk.

FACILITIES STAFF ensure our facilities are clean and safe so students can experience sport to the fullest. They do this in the knowledge that our facilities are not the best. Medical staff and students, sport coordinators and coaches all work tirelessly, making the most of the resources they have so our teams can perform to their full potential.

I MUST ALSO PAY TRIBUTE to our Student Sports Council, a group of young people who have led by example and become role models among their peers. Their biggest achievement, in my view, was hosting the first UWC Sport Indaba. This event brought together all student sport leaders, the Student Representative Council and the Central House Committee to discuss issues affecting students’ participation in sport and come up with practical resolutions. UWC students are a special breed who are completely in touch with realities the higher education sector is grappling with.

WE ARE ALSO BLESSED WITH EMPATHETIC LEADERSHIP that pays much more than lip service to the role of sport at UWC. Our deputy vice chancellor: student development and support, Prof Matete Madiba, has really brought the “Madiba Magic” because it is through her support that everyone mentioned above wakes up every day looking forward to doing what they love.

THIS APPRECIATION also goes to many internal and external partners who devote their time and resources towards the betterment of UWC Sport. I thank the following partners for their support during the year: the rector’s office, the deputy vice chancellor: academic, the deputy vice chancellor: research and innovation, Institutional Advancement, International Relations, Business Development, the faculties that provide academic support to our student athletes, and the Risk and Compliance Division for ensuring our major events are in line with the law. All these people make me sleep better at night because I know they have the best interests of UWC Sport at heart.

IN 2024, WE WILL ENTER A NEW ERA IN OUR SPORTING HISTORY when we launch a new UWC Sport brand, accompanied by a new name to replace “Bushies”, and a new logo. Consultations have been completed and the next step is to examine all the submissions before arriving at a chosen name. Watch this space!

IN CONCLUSION, I wish all our students the best of luck with their examinations. May their efforts bear fruit and I look forward to seeing most of them in 2024… while I also hope to see others in their capacity as taxpayers!

I AM UWC