At the heart of the vibrant District Six, a long-awaited dream began to take shape. The Sports Arts and Culture (SAC) Department at CPUT had tirelessly worked towards enhancing sports infrastructure for years.

With each passing season, the enthusiasm of students echoed through the campus, but the sorely needed facilities remained just a vision. However, that vision finally transformed into reality as the SAC Department proudly unveiled two brand-new basketball courts recently. On a rainy day, students gathered at the District Six Campus, a tangible excitement buzzing in the air.

The SAC Department initiated this project with the help of CPUT alumnus, Matthew Skade, who connected them with the donors, Giants of Africa. This organisation is dedicated to building basketball courts across Africa, and this particular court marks the 40th one they have constructed on the continent, shared Frans Mpho Mamabolo, Manager: SAC Department. The event, which took place during Youth Month, aims to contribute to youth development at CPUT and in the surrounding District Six community.

Mamabolo reflected: “As the SAC Department, we are excited that this project came to fruition as it has been our goal to develop sports infrastructure at CPUT, but in particular at the District Six Campus… This court will change things around. The court can be shared with netball as well. The existence of this court will highlight the sport of basketball on our campus. Our students will have more time on the courts now, unlike before where they were restricted by lighting. Our Bellville outdoor courts don’t have lights.”

Mamabolo stated that the costs for revamping the courts were fully covered by donors, while the university contributed by upgrading the lighting on the courts. In his message to basketball and netball players, as well as the students in general, he expressed the following: “Here is the new revamped facility, let's use it responsibly, as the university doesn’t have the finances to fix facilities that are deliberately damaged. This facility is ours; students and the community around us can use it for our sports development and wellness. Let's all be active in one way or the other, a ‘healthy body is a healthy mind’”.

He continued: “I see this catapulting the sport of basketball at this university to another level. This will assist its objective of being a priority code. CPUT has three priority codes, which are Rugby, Football, and Basketball.”

Warona Mbothwe, an assistant coach and CPUT alumnus, stated, “This initiative is a positive step forward for the growth of basketball and sports in general at CPUT.”

The team captain, Nokuthula Magoso, said: “This court means everything to us. It’s more than just a place to play, it’s a space that brings us together. We finally have a home, spacious enough compared to the court we used at Mowbray Campus, and that boosts our spirit and motivates us to train harder, play better, and represent CPUT with everything we have.”

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
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The CPUT Staff football team has expressed their heartfelt gratitude to the executive management for their support in helping the team participate and secure victory at the University Sports South Africa (USSA) Staff Tournament.

The tournament was held at the University of Limpopo last week and the win brought the team their maiden trophy.

“We wish to pass our heartfelt gratitude to the executive management of CPUT for their support in helping us travel to Limpopo and fly the CPUT flag higher. We also wish to extend our message of appreciation to the following departments for their support: Sports, Arts and Culture, Advancement, and Human Capital. To all the colleagues who kept checking on us while we were away, thanks for the support and we appreciate you for showing us love,” said the team captain, Mvelo Siyaya.

The coach and Secretary General, Arthur Xolani, also extended his words of gratitude to the Vice-Chancellor [VC], Prof Chris Nhlapo, “for all the support he has given to us”. “From the moment we knocked on the door of the VC’s Office, we were welcomed with open arms and kindness and assisted with moral and financial support. I would also like to thank the Advancement Department, Sport, Arts, and Culture, as well as Human Capital for their kind support and contributions. And I will also thank the Marketing and Communication Department, Finance Department, Health, and Safety, and Campus Protection Services for their support and contributions,” said Xolani.

The proud coach said this victory was just the beginning, and “We should aim even higher because the sky is the limit”. He added that football is a team sport that thrives on unity and team spirit, and “we have truly excelled in that regard”. “The team really showed the spirit of oneness. I am deeply proud of all of you. We have made our mark in the history of USSA and CPUT. We will continue to develop other sporting codes and partnerships to ensure that CPUT remains at the top of the university sport.”

In welcoming the team and during the handover of the trophy to the Vice-Chancellor, Nhlapo said: “Whenever we present CPUT we must represent to the best of our ability… I am really impressed by this group of winners. We have to support this winning team… Thank you very much for representing for representing us well. I know that this is just the beginning, there are other sporting codes that are actually coming. But for me, health and wellness come first. It’s very important that all of us we must be sure that we live well, we exercise, we walk, and we actually destress, one of the best ways of destressing is to ensure that we play sport.”

The captain admitted that it was a difficult tournament to participate in, especially considering that it was the team’s first participation in the Staff USSA Tournament, “but our unwavering bond and determination propelled us to success”. “Other universities had great individual players, but we had a great CPUT staff soccer team. Our victory serves as a testament to the power of teamwork, perseverance, and a shared vision of unity.”

To prepare for the tournament they played in the Institution’s Res League and participated in tournaments that were organised for students by the Central Student Representative Council. Such tournaments helped the team to gain fitness and to identify areas of improvement within the team. They also played several friendly matches with the University of the Western Cape, the University of Cape Town, and Stellenbosch University to prepare for this tournament.

“I feel extremely happy to captain this team of winners and the excitement is the same for everyone within the team. This victory is a symbol that together we can achieve greater things. The team holds a larger vision - one of promoting unity and collaboration among staff members through the power of sport. Our goal extends far beyond the confines of the football pitch. We aim to foster a sense of belonging and oneness among colleagues from all corners of the university,” Siyaya enthused.

Any member of the CPUT community who wants to join this exciting team may contact Mzingisi Muluse at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Anele Tyhulu at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.