Anelisa Ndamase says she has no words to describe her emotions when she was informed that she had been selected for the Junior Springboks.

“When I saw a squad of 26 players, I couldn’t believe that my name was part of those 26 players selected for Springbok Juniors,” says a joyful Anelisa.

The 19-year-old Human Resources Management second-year student is originally from Ntlaza, Libode, a small village in the Eastern Cape, but she grew up in Khayelitsha, Cape Town where her rugby skills were polished from the age of 12.

However, her rugby journey didn’t start well. When she started playing it wasn’t easy because she was the only girl in her team training with her male schoolmates. “I consistently fell in love with rugby, I think it was because my uncles also played rugby in their days, so I think it was something that runs in the family and still does.”

She adds: “It wasn’t easy trying to fit in during practice time because I was the only girl and the coach wanted me to give up, but I didn’t. Instead, I took the pain as a strength to push for more, I didn’t allow the boys to get to me. Only when I am at home, I would cry because of the hard things I had done making sure that I compete with those boys in order for them to know that also girls can play rugby.”

Her challenges were made worse “because also my mother didn’t support me at that time… She even thought that she was going to lose me because of how the sport is being displayed”.

One day at training her coach, Simnikiwe Ngunda, told her he could see the love, the passion, and attitude she had towards rugby, and that she was giving her best and he loved that about her, and that one day she would play for Western Province, then play for the Springboks and “he even told me that, ever since he started coaching girls, I am the first girl that didn’t give him hard time when he was training me then he just left me”.

Anelisa managed to recruit other girls from her school to form a team. In 2016 she a joined a club called Dolphins RFC and her rugby career really took shape. In 2017 Anelisa was selected to the Western Province Under 16 Women's Youth Training Centre (YTC). Unfortunately, she couldn’t play the tournament because she was still a minor. In 2018 she made the team again and was the under 16s vice-captain for National Week tournament that was held at JEPPE High School for Boys.

In 2019 she also made the team, and she was the under16s captain for the National Week tournament that was held at JEPPE High School for Boys. At the end of the tournament Anelisa was awarded as the best captain throughout the national week girl’s tournament. “Unfortunately, I couldn’t make the Under 20 Springbok team because I was still young, but coach Lauren said to me, ‘I believe in you, you are still young but keep on fighting I know you will make the team’. Up to this day I still keep her words and believed what coach Simnikiwe once told me about playing for Springboks.”

The person who Anelisa always look up from is Sinazo Mcatshulwa, Springbok women’s rugby player, “because she also started playing rugby at almost the same age as mine, which makes me believe that she also had go through the challenges I have also faced”.

“I will be a role model to the other rugby players, I will be empowering them, giving them hope, I will be bringing skills and sharing my experience with them and also make them understand the meaning of not giving up in their dreams.”

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
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The CPUT Rugby Club has been crowned Super League C 2022 champions.

The winning trophy was presented to the club during the recent Western Province Rugby Awards Dinner, held at Kelvin Grove.

“CPUT Rugby Club will be promoted to Super League B in the 2023 season, which is the second-best League in Western Province Club Rugby,” said Bulelani Mlakalaka, Sport Development Officer: Rugby, Boxing and Tennis.

“It was a great honour to accept the award on behalf of the university. I must say the CPUT rugby club is very happy to be promoted to the second best club rugby in the Western Province Rugby Union Club Rugby,” he added.

He accepted the trophy at the event with club captain Siyasanga Ngubelanga.

Mlakalaka said the Club was only four years old.

“For many years CPUT Rugby was in a merger with Gardens Rugby Club and the club was called CPUT Gardens. In 2018, Mr Siyabulela Mkwalo, who was a manager of Sport Arts and Culture, and myself wrote several proposals to the Western Province Rugby Union, seeking a breakaway from the merger and forming a University rugby team like other sister universities in the Western Cape.”

Once the proposal was approved Mlakalaka had to draw up a five-year plan in 2019 with the aim of taking CPUT rugby to the top club league in Western Province Club rugby, called Super League A.

“In 2019 we had to start from the lowest league, called City League, which is the fourth division. At the end of the season in 2019, we managed to get promotion to Super League C although we did not win the trophy.”

When the Covid-19 pandemic struck, the plans had to be delayed for two years.

“On our return to the Western Province Club Rugby League after two years we had to push with our five-year plan. The League started one day after we lost the Varsity Shield finals against Fort Hare in Alice, Eastern Cape but the CPUT Rugby Club did not sit down and lick their wounds.”

CPUT Rugby Club was placed second on the final log and according to the format of the league, the top four teams play against each other in what Western Province Club Rugby called promotion and relegation semi-finals.

On 17 September CPUT defeated Macassar Rugby Club in the semi-finals with a final score of 22-12. CPUT then club qualified for the finals.

On 24 September the club faced Strand Rugby Club and won the finals 26 -19.

“On behalf of CPUT, I would like to congratulate the student athletes (players) and coaches. They all put their body on the line to represent CPUT. It is my dream to put CPUT rugby on the map. I will always push my technical staff and players to work extra hard so that our team can be recognised all over South Africa,” said Mlakalaka

He thanked all CPUT supporters, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Chris Nhlapo and the SRC for their support.

The team’s head coach is Alastair Theys, the assistant coaches are Jongi Nokwe and Sentle Lehoko, the strength and conditioning coach is Brandon Isaacs, the physiotherapist is Byron Isaacs, the team managers are Bongani Ntshobodwana and Theo Lwandile Ngqwala and the club captain is Siyasanga Ngubelanga.

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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First-year film production student, Anande Kuse, continues to shine in the sport of table tennis.

She recently represented the Cape Town Table Tennis (CTTT) team at the SA Table Tennis championships, hosted by the South African Table Tennis Board in Durban.

CTTT came second, bagging a silver medal in the U/19 team events category, and made it to the group stages in the singles category.

“I’m so happy about the silver medal I received at nationals. I could not play last year when I was in Grade 12. I really worked hard and I’m very proud, “said Anande.

Earlier this year she was elected to represent SA at the International Table Tennis Federation African Youth, Junior and Cadet Championships.

CPUT Table Tennis coach Mfundo Marasi congratulated Anande and thanked the Student Affairs Division for their support.

“As CPUT Table Tennis, we're super proud of her achievements and for representing not only the province, but also our flying CPUT flag high at the national event. We hope the USSA Table Tennis summer games will take place this December 2022, where she'll continue to fly the CPUT flag sky high.”

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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A former Tourism Management student, who plays for a National First Division soccer team, says Varsity Football played a huge role towards him becoming a professional football player.

Bizana Pondo Chiefs player, Bravo Maseti, played in the CPUT first team which made it to the national finals of the University Sports South Africa (USSA) tournament in 2012 and 2014. In 2014 he was the team captain under coach Phila Mabesi.  

Maseti was born in Fort Beaufort in the Eastern Cape but grew up in Plettenberg Bay.

He says that Varsity Football afforded him an opportunity to play competitive soccer. “We used to play USSA qualifications with other Varsities in the province. When you qualified for [the] USSA national tournament, you play [in] a national tournament which is more competitive and organised.”

The soccer star adds that playing in the national finals of the tournament is where players have to prove that they belong in a professional set-up as the tournament is very tough.

He says he has vivid memories of when he played in the USSA national finals in 2012 at the University of the Western Cape where the CPUT team managed to qualify for the Varsity Cup.

“And in 2014 when we were coached by Phila Mabesi and I was the captain of the team, we managed to qualify for the USSA nationals which where hosted by the Durban University of Technology. I was also selected for a national team.”

He currently plays for Bizana Pondo Chiefs which at the beginning of the 2020/2021 season was promoted to the GladAfrica Championship, the second tier of South African soccer.

Besides playing soccer, Maseti runs coaching clinics and is studying towards a coaching qualification. He is also a personal trainer.

“It is the talent in me that motivated me to play soccer. A talent that I was given by God and I use it to praise Him.”

He adds that the challenges of playing the sport include being nervous before the commencement of games and stressing over the opponents’ match tactics.

Maseti sees himself coaching a team in the next five years, whether in the GladAfrica Championship or the Premier Soccer League, the topflight of national soccer.

Written by Kwanele Butana
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The CPUT men’s rugby team received their kit for the 2021 Varsity Shield tournament at a handover ceremony on Friday.

Prior to handing over the kit to the boys, Vice-Chancellor, Prof Chris Nhlapo, said the team represents CPUT exceptionalism. Nhlapo added that if the team kept up the standard that made them win the Shield in 2019 they would go to this year’s in Pretoria to show their opponents flames.

“I want to see you playing in the Varsity Cup next year, you possess some of the best skills, you are the best of the best.”

He assured the team that the university’s management fully supports the team and that he wants them to bring the trophy home.

Jerome Paarwater, Western Province Rugby Union’s High-Performance Manager, thanked the team for inviting him to their training sessions. Paarwater said his initial involvement with CPUT was when Sport Development Officer, Bulelani Mlakalaka, invited him to help the university with its selection of coaches.

“I was involved with UWC (University of the Western Cape) and helped them to win the Varsity Shield and they moved to the Varsity Cup,” he said.

He added that now he works with young talent and that he was instrumental in grooming most of the Stormers players.

“There are lot of opportunities for you if you do well in this tournament,” Paarwater said.

He encouraged the boys to have respect and be accountable for their actions. Paarwater also warned the players that the tournament will be tough but that they should not disappoint CPUT and their parents.

The team’s captain, Butsha Mputa said he joined the team in 2016 and started as a benchwarmer but when he made the starting 15 in June of that year, he made the number six jersey his own.

Butsha added that he plays with pride and that he has won the University Sports South Africa tournament as well as the Varsity Shield with the team. “I want to make history again,” he enthused.

The team’s coach, Alastair Theys said there was panic when the team started the training ten weeks ago but after the technical team presented its plan to the players their confidence started rising.

“The boys are ready for the tournament,” Theys assured the university. He urged the boys to make decisions that will make CPUT proud and thanked the university for creating the platform for the boys. “Well done for the hard work you put in training,” he congratulated the boys.     

This year’s tournament will be played in a bio-bubble in Tshwane from 12 April to 9 May and FNB CPUT will face off with FNB UFH (University of Fort Hare) today at Loftus Versfeld Stadium at 19H00. The match will be broadcast live on DSTV Channel 211.

Written by Kwanele Butana
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The CPUT men’s rugby team thumped the University of Fort Hare in the opening round of this year’s FNB Varsity Shield at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.

FNB CPUT’s 36 – 20 victory was hard-fought as the team survived a red card in the first half when centre Jurick Lewis was fingered for dangerous play, followed by two yellow cards in the second half.

The 2019 Shield champions made a perfect start to the match when they charged down an FNB UFH clearance kick and the ball landed on eighthman Sesona Macala who scored just after 20 seconds into the match.

The opposition later hit back with a try of their own.

FNB CPUT grabbed their second try through centre Lunathi Nxele, who ripped through the FNB UFH’s defence at supersonic speed following a successful scrum in the opposition’s half. After scoring, the former captain, who led CPUT to its last Shield championship, ran to the empty stands to take a seat and applauded the try.   

Once again, flyhalf Feghon-Leigh Snyders converted the try.

Following a 40m penalty slotted by the opposition, FNB CPUT winger Nathan Nkutu put captain Butsha Mputa away for a try under the posts, which was successfully converted by Feghon-Leigh before adding a penalty to make it 24-10 at half-time.

In the second half, the former captain scored another try while Nathan scored FNB CPUT’s last try to seal the game 36 - 20 after fulltime. Nathan was voted the FNB Player That Rocks.  

Written by CPUT News
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Passion for running and sacrifice of sleep saw a CPUT staffer winning a silver medal after finishing this year’s Comrades Marathon under seven hours.

Siyabonga Madala, a security guard on the District Six Campus, was awarded a silver medal for completing the ultra-marathon in six hours and 55 minutes.

Although Madala was very excited about the achievement, he said the time was not his target. “The target was sub-six hours as the intention was to improve on my 2018 time of six hours and 21 minutes,” he said.

“I participated in three other extra races in my 12 years of running,” added Madala. Every day after work he trains for an hour. “You need a passion for running, sacrifice of sleep and go to the road,” he said. “I have a group of runners and we meet on weekends for long runs,” added the Boxer Athletics Club member.

“[This was] an extremely impressive achievement for someone who works full-time and runs part time,” said Human Resource Management lecturer, Sihlangene Mgudlwa.

Written by Kwanele Butana
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Ten tries against Rhodes University scored FNB CPUT a win during their second match of the Varsity Shield tournament.  

Not even Gauteng lightening could stop the defending the Varsity Shield’s champions from defeating FNB Rhodes University at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium as they won 68 against eight.  

The boys were rampant in their set play as the Rhodents just could not match their physicality or rush defence and they often found themselves losing the ball recklessly.

FNB CPUT was leading with 21 points against eight at half-time after scoring three

 tries, thanks to a brace by centre Bjorkan Hendricks and lock Joshua Paris. Flyhalf Imibongo Mgijima converted all the tries.

Overall CPUT tries were scored by Björkan Hendricks (2), Joshua Paris, Onika Mgijima, Hughwan Engelbrecht, Phumlani Mkhaliphi, Asisipho Malotana (2) and Imibongo Vabaza, Butsha Mputa.

Imibongo successfully converted nine tries and deservedly was voted the FNB Player that Rocks.

Written by Kwanele Butana
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The defending champions dealt a huge blow to the FNB TUT Vikings’s unbeaten run in the 2021 Varsity Shield rugby tournament this week.

FNB CPUT continued its dominance of the tournament as they beat the Vikings 54 – 20 to seal their position at the top of the tournament’s log. The clash between the two unbeaten sides saw FNB CPUT dominating proceedings throughout the match. The boys from the peninsula attacked the gain line at will and in the process stifled the majority of the opponents’ attempts on attack. 

In the first half hooker Siyasanga “Carburettor” Ngubelanga bagged a brace of tries and eightman Sesona Macala, flank Ché Klaasen and wings  Asisipho Malotana  and Nathan Nkutu also crossed the line to record a bonus point for FNB CPUT before half-time. At half-time the score was 37 -6 in favour of the defending champions.

In the second half FNB TUT came stronger as FNB CPUT took a while to get back into the swing of things but it was not long before Sesona and Anenceba Salman scored more tries which were successfully converted by Feghon-Leigh Snyders and replacement utility back Imibongo Vabaza. 

Sesona was voted the FNB Player that Rocks at the end of the match.

Written by Kwanele Butana
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FNB CPUT claimed a fifth consecutive bonus-point win to entrench their position at the top of the FNB Varsity Shield log.

The Tekkies dominated the majority of the match, securing their bonus-point try just before half-time, although the Impi did show glimpses of their ability from time to time.

It took less than two minutes for the men from the Cape to score their opening try as Asisipho Malotana dotted down. However, the wing had to sit in the naughty chair in the 15th minute, which FNB UKZN exploited shortly after when outside centre Wandile Shabangu did brilliantly to score in the right corner.

It was blue and white after the first strategy break as the Tekkies attacked at will, with inside centre Lunathi Nxele, captain and flank Butsha Mputa and prop Matthew Coenraad all scoring tries. Flyhalf Feghon-Leigh Snyders added a conversion to push the lead to 22-5 at half-time.

FNB UKZN flank Menzi Mabaso showed great strength to power over early in the second half, but this proved to be the last time they would threaten the scoreboard.

The Tekkies' discipline was poor, yet it didn't seem to affect them all that much despite losing Nxele and wing Nathan Nkutu to yellow cards.

Scrumhalf Hugan Engelbrecht started an emphatic try-scoring spree for FNB CPUT as his efforts were followed by Nxele's brace, a second for Mputa while replacement back Björkan Hendricks and replacement lock Bradley van Boven completed an impressive haul.

FNB Player That Rocks: Lunathi Nxele (FNB CPUT)

FNB CPUT – Tries: Asisipho Malotana, Lunathi Nxele (2), Butsha Mputa (2), Matthew Coenraad, Hugan Engelbrecht, Björkan Hendricks, Bradley van Boven. Conversions: Feghon-Leigh Snyders, Imibongo Vabaza (3).

FNB UKZN Impi – Tries: Wandile Shabangu, Menzi Mabaso; Conversions: Sibongile Novuka.

Defending champions FNB CPUT will go head to head with FNB WSU (Walter Sisulu University) in what promises to be an epic Varsity Shield final.

The final battle is scheduled to take place at 7 pm at Tuks Stadium on Sunday, 9 May and will be broadcast on Supersport channel 211.

The Tekkies, as the FNB CPUT is affectionately known, have been impressive this season and are second on the log. The team won all but one of their matches, losing only against their final opponent, FNB WSU in round 6.

The team performed as follows in the first six rounds:

• Round 1: FNB CPUT 36 – FNB UFH 20
• Round 2: FNB CPUT 68 – FNB Rhodes 8
• Round 3: FNB CPUT 109 – FNB DUT 6
• Round 4: FNB CPUT 54 – FNB TUT 20
• Round 5: FNB CPUT 53 – FNB UKZN 12
• Round 6: FNB CPUT 5 – FNB WSU 39

There will be no promotion or relegation after the 2021 season. Instead, the bottom two teams on the combined 2021-2022 FNB Varsity Cup log will be relegated to the FNB Varsity Shield, while the last-placed team on the combined 2021-2022 FNB Varsity Shield log will fall out of the tournament.

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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FNB CPUT claimed victory last night after beating FNB WSU in a nail-biting Varsity Shield final at Tuks Stadium.

Winger Nathan Nkutu scored a late extra-time try to secure the win for the defending champions.  

Walter Sisulu University (WSU) had fought back from 23-6 down midway through the second half to draw level after 66 minutes. FNB WSU captain Litha Nkula then missed two late penalty goal attempts to win it, with the game going into extra time.

Nkula was on target with a penalty in the first half of extra time but it was Nkutu who snatched victory for FNB CPUT with a 99th-minute try.

It took five minutes of this match for the defending champions to show off their attacking prowess as they faked a driving maul to send the pass out wide to wing Asisipho Malotana, who threw off a tackle to touch down. Flyhalf Feghon-Leigh Snyders missed the extras but did add a penalty six minutes later to make it a two-score game. 

CPUT Tekkies were dealt a blow when hooker Siyasanga Ngubelanga was shown a yellow card for repeated team infringements, but their defence proved solid as a rock as WSU All Blacks could only land two penalties via the boot of Nkula.

Lock Ameer Hendricks then scored FNB CPUT's second try from a charged down kick as they took a 15-6 lead into the break.

Snyders upped the ante for the CPUT Tekkies in the second half, crossing for a brilliant five-pointer before knocking over a clutch drop goal minutes later.

The WSU All Blacks finally secured their first try just after the second strategy break when wing Sakhele Ngeno raced over the chalk so quickly that he had trouble stopping to actually score. Nkula had no issues in converting. 

FNB CPUT lost Mputa to a yellow card in the 62nd minute and FNB WSU did not need to RSVP to the party as Nkula slotted his third penalty before scrumhalf Eric Mcaphukana dotted down from a dominant 5m scrum. Nkula's conversion levelled the scores to ensure a spicy hot final 10 minutes. 

After a disallowed try to Nkula – who was penalised for kicking the ball out of an FNB WSU player's hands – and Nkula's two late penalty misses, the final was forced into two, 10-minute extra-time halves.

Nkula slotted a penalty within three minutes, but it was Nkutu who would determine the defending champions' fortune, racing into the right-hand corner to score the match-winner. 

Snyders added the conversion as the CPUT Tekkies successfully defended their 2019 title after last year's tournament was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

FNB CPUT’s Sesona Macala won the 2021 FNB Varsity Shield Overall Player That Rocks award.

 FNB CPUT hooker Siyasanga Ngubelanga won the FNB Forward That Rocks award. Ngubelanga scored six tries in this year’s FNB Varsity Shield, including four against the FNB DUT Rhinos and two against the FNB TUT Vikings.

• FNB Player That Rocks: Nathan Nkutu (FNB CPUT)
  FNB CPUT – Tries: Asisipho Malotana, Mogamat Ameer Hendricks, Feghon-Leigh Snyders, Nathan Nkutu. Conversions: Snyders (2). Penalty: Snyders. Drop goal: Snyders.
  FNB WSU All Blacks – Tries: Sakhele Ngeno, Eric Mcaphukana. Conversions: Litha Nkula (2). Penalties: Nkula (4).

Written by CPUT News

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Matthew Coenraad, who has been drafted into the Western Province (WP) U/21 team, has set his eyes on wearing the green and gold colours of the Springboks one day.

Following his invitation to join the Western Province U/21, Matthew says: “It's an opportunity to take my rugby to the next level and learn and improve my skill set… I am quite proud of myself for this achievement, but I also know that it's just a stepping stone to go to the next level of rugby.” He also concedes that his career journey has been “very up and down.”

“It's tough because you always try to improve yourself and stay disciplined. I'd say what helped me a lot in my career so far is the support I've had from my father because he always pushes me and tells me that I can achieve whatever I put my mind to and also all the coaches who've I worked with  throughout the year and have helped me improve.”

The Kuils River-born 21-year-old CPUT rugby player attended many different primary schools but he finished his primary school career in Pretoria at Laerskool Doringkloof. After finishing high school, Matthew went to the Western Province Rugby Academy in 2020 before joining CPUT in 2021.

“Well funnily enough, my mother didn't want me to play rugby in the beginning and my family pretty much had to beg her to let me [play] and I started playing in Grade 4. I just wanted to play rugby because I remember sitting with my father watching the Springboks play and I just wanted to play,” Matthew continues.

“Just sitting and watching rugby with [my] father made me love the game and the more I played the more my passion for the game grew.”

He is motivated to play rugby by the constant need to be better and to just play the game. “The motivation to better myself as a person as well as all the important people in my life.”

Winning the Varsity Shield as a first-year student for CPUT in 2021 is one of his best memories of his career.  However, this didn’t come without any challenges. “I've faced many challenges from being told I'm too small to being told I'm overweight and  this dips in confidence and during the outbreak of covid-19 I wanted to stop playing but I had people in my life that kept me going and pushing through.”

Matthew has many people who are mentor figures in his life. “To name a few, Alastair Theys, Head Coach: CPUT, Jason Hector, Coach: WP and Western Province Rugby Academy, Jerome Paarwater: Coach: WP, Paul Anthony: Director of rugby: Pretoria Boys’ High. All of these men have helped me grow as a player and pushed me to get be where I am now.”

Matthew continues: “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard.”

He is also optimistic that CPUT can expect some good rugby and hopefully another Varsity Shield trophy in 2023 and promotion to the Varsity Cup.  “My message to CPUT community is to never give up and always work towards your goals and dreams because if you don't put in the work no one else will.”

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
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Four dedicated CPUT boxers will be jetting off to Turkey this week where they hope to pack a punch at the 2022 FISU University World Cup Combat Sports.

The four boxers are: Oyisa Gxekani, Lisakhanya Mcosana, Likho Nxele and Thabiso Ndlovu.

At a recent send-off event, team manager Mvemve Mdingi, said CPUT is recognised in the province as one of the best institutions in boxing.

He said that last year the institution went to the University Sports South Africa Championships with 15 boxers and came back with nine medals, including one gold. This year the institution went with a team of 12 and came back with nine medals, this time including five gold medals.

Likho, an Education student, has set her sights on bringing home a gold medal. “I’m looking forward to get a gold, I want a gold medal.”

Lisakhanya, a Mathematical Sciences student who only started boxing last year, said she was very excited about the opportunity. “I’m going to do my best to perform well”.

Oyisa, a Mechanical Engineering student, has been boxing for seven years and said the trip would be his first one overseas.

Thabiso, a Public Administration student said: “It’s a big opportunity for me to expose my abilities”.

During the send-off event held at the Bellville campus, the team received well wishes from the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Chris Nhlapo, the acting Dean of Student Affairs, Nonkosi Tyolwana, The Acting Head of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, Cherice Mangiagalli and the Student Representative Council.

Nhlapo said he was both humbled and moved by the achievements of the team, adding that it was an honour to bid them farewell.

He thanked the technical team and staff in the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture for their role in the boxers’ success.

“At CPUT we are winners and that is something that I’m seeing coming out of the institution on all fronts.”

Tyolwana said the students were flying the CPUT and South African flag high.

“This is the beginning of great things for you, take the opportunity and run with it.”

The team’s head coach is Sivuyile Ngwevela and the assistant coaches are: Sinethemba Madikazi, Anele Mkhondweni and Lumka Mswelanto.

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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CPUT Table Tennis coach, Mfundo Marasi, was recently elected as the chairperson of University Sports South Africa (USSA) Table Tennis.

Marasi, who hails from Ezibeleni, Komani, in the Eastern Cape, said he felt humbled and honoured to be nominated for the position and to be representing CPUT at national level.

“I won my first gold medal in 1999 at the SASSU (SA Student Sports Union) Games and ever since then I've been a coach/manager/mentor for CPUT Table Tennis on a voluntary basis until I was formally appointed last year.”

His role as USSA table tennis chairperson will be to lead and manage all table tennis activities at university level.

Marasi said the role would also include ensuring that the status of table tennis is elevated from being a recreational sport to being a competitive sport that produces champions to represent the country at national, continental and international level.

Furthermore, his role would be to assemble, manage and prepare a team that will represent South Africa at the World Student Games in 2023.

“Our role at university level is to nurture and develop table tennis to be a sport of choice and [for it to be] treated on the same level as popular sports like football, rugby, soccer and netball. My role is to develop a sport-orientated university community that shows interest in table tennis and balance their time wisely with their academic commitment. We encourage more women participation and involvement in the sport.”

He said strong bonds needed to be formed with local table tennis clubs and federations and good relationships had to be established with the South African Table Tennis Board (SATTB).

“Table Tennis is a great sport that helps and contributes to one's health. It should be played at school, at work, in churches and at all recreational facilities. Creating a healthy sporting nation, will help decrease the level of crime, take kids out of drugs, decrease the high teenage pregnancy rate and also helps kids at school with a healthy body and mind. Only then, academic excellency will be guaranteed.”

Marasi is a father of two daughters, Kamo and Uzuko and describes himself as a change agent.

“I’m a mentor, leader, an optimist by birth, a traditional healer, who is proud of his Xhosa culture. I'm a multi-talented child of God who plays and manages the following sports: rugby, football, athletics, hiking, table tennis and karate. I'm an international volunteer who prides himself about encouraging and promoting the spirit of giving back to my community without expectations.” He said he would give his all to his new role.

“Many thanks and appreciation to Mr Siyabulela Mkhwalo and Mr Mohamed Ally for their support thus far and ensuring CPUT management endorsed and supported my nomination He said he would give his best to represent my CPUT and serve all institutions with humility, pride and distinction.

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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In recognition of the university’s dedication to rugby development, the Western Province Rugby Football Union (WPRFU) has announced the CPUT team’s admission as a fully-fledged competitor in the provincial league. 

The Union made the announcement recently during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with CPUT on the Bellville Campus. The agreement will see the optimal utilisation of the campus’ sporting facilities to be used by regional schools.

WPRFU President Thelo Wakefield said the signing was a great moment for the Union to announce CPUT’s promotion to the provincial league as UCT, UWC and Stellenbosch University are already in partnerships with the Union.

Wakefield said the university will become a full member of the Union with effect from January 2019 and CPUT would in future compete alongside other universities without having to be attached to another team, as was the case previously.

Wakefield congratulated Dr Chris Nhlapo on his appointment as the university’s Vice-Chancellor. He recalled a day ten years ago on which he inducted Nhlapo to the university as the then newly-appointed Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Technology, Innovation and Partnerships.

“We have the resources,” he assured CPUT. “The goal is to turn CPUT rugby into a professional sport. Thank you for allowing us to partner with you.”
He urged the university to play its home matches on the Bellville Campus as he argued that rugby brings life to campus.

Nhlapo said the university is more than ready to play its matches on campus and added that the involvement of university students in sports would help undo the effects of the unrest of the last three years.

Written by Kwanele Butana
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The FNB CPUT rugby team is ready and raring for their first home game in the FNB Varsity Shield tournament and call on the whole CPUT community to back their boys.

The team will go head to head with FNB TUT at the CPUT Sports Stadium in Bellville at 6.30PM on Thursday 21 February.

After a defeat against the FNB Madibaz earlier this week the team is hoping for a home ground advantage and call on their supporters to fill the stadium.

Head coach Ricky Petersen said the team has adopted the slogan one team, one family. As part of their preparations the team has been attending training camps. “We may not go into this competition as the favourites but we will surely go into this competition as proud ambassadors of CPUT. We have a good and talented squad of players and a good team captain in Lunathi Nxele and he will be surrounded by good leaders like Ralton October and Keadon Consol just to name a few.”

• Anyone who wishes to attend the game can buy their tickets at the Bellville, District Six and Wellington campus cash offices before 2pm on match day, or between 2pm and 7pm at the Stadium.
• Tickets are R10 for students who present their student card and R20 for everyone else. Grand stand tickets cost R30. Students who need transport from their campus (leaving 4.30pm on match day from Wellington and District Six campus) to Bellville pay an extra R10.

Written by Ilse Fredericks

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The FNB CPUT team is ready to rock in this year’s FNB Varsity Shield competition, which officially kicks off in just one week. 

Seven teams are participating in this year’s tournament and the CPUT team will face the FNB Madibaz at the Madibaz Stadium in Port Elizabeth on February 18 at 18:30.

The team will then go head to head against FNB TUT in their first home game at the CPUT Sports Stadium in Bellville on February 21 at 18:30.

Staff and students can come out to show their support during three lunchtime activations this week.

The first will take place at the District Six campus today, followed by Wellington campus on Wednesday and Bellville on Friday.

This year’s team captain is Lunathi Nexele.

For the full fixtures and logs go to http://www.varsitycup.co.za/varsity-cup-fixtures-logs

Written by Ilse Fredericks

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The CPUT men’s rugby team has won the B division of the University Sports South Africa tournament held recently at Wits University, Johannesburg. 

The high-scoring team won all of its three matches during the Rugby Week with convincing margins and was rewarded with medals for their efforts. 

The team beat the University of Fort Hare 50 - 37 during its opening game, then Tshwane University of Technology 34 - 24 after a heavily contested match and lastly, Rhodes University 57 - 19.

“For the first half of the Rhodes’ game the coaches gave all CPUT players who did not yet have an opportunity to start a game to be in the starting line-up,” says Student Development Officer Bulelani Mlakalaka.

“That decision put us on the back foot and the coaches had to make changes during the break, after which the team performed much better.”

During the second half, CPUT’s changed combinations dished out the best rugby of the tournament. No wonder the final score was 53 - 19 in CPUT’s favour.

CPUT Captain Henrico Jacobs received the best player of the tournament accolade in the B division.

“Physiotherapy work in the mornings and evenings ensured that all our players were in the best condition to perform, even on the days during which they rested,” brags Mlakalaka.

Written by Kwanele Butana
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CPUT students and staff members came out in force to #backourboytjies for the university’s inaugural match in the FNB Varsity Shield presented by Steinhoff International.

Students, in their blue supporters T-shirts, travelled from far and wide for the Cape Derby to support the team as they squared off against our neighbours UWC yesterday.

The match was broadcast live on Supersport 1 and was a nail biting affair with FNB UWC ultimately winning the Cape Derby by a slim margin of 26 to 23.

Commentators commended the resilience of the CPUT team as they ably squared up to the experienced UWC squad, who were favourites to win after making it into the finals last year.

CPUTs fighting spirit was awarded when Christiaan Smit won the Player that Rocks award.

The match was closely analysed by Head of Western Province Rugby Thelo Wakefield and Currie Cup coach John Dobson who took time out of their busy schedules to meet the CPUT team a few hours before kick-off to do a jersey handover and pep talk.

Wakefield told the team that Western Province Rugby would be partnering with the CPUT team to transfer some of the extensive knowledge they had.

“You worked hard to be the owner of that jersey for 80 minutes. We came here to support you because we believe in you,” he told the team.

Dobson commended the support from CPUT management saying the backing from the top is critical for the future success of rugby at the institution.

“For the first time you have broken into this competition so you have nothing to lose and everything to win.”

The team’s next game will take place on Monday when they will face FNB Rhodes at the Rhodes Great Field.

The first opportunity to see our boys playing on home turf will be on February 27 when they will face off against FNB UKZN in Wellington. This match is scheduled to start at 18:30.

To view the fixtures and results go to:http://varsitycup.co.za/varsity-shield-fixtures/

See more photos on our Facebook album

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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