The five Karate fighters that the University sent to the 2025 USSA tournament, which took place at DUT’s Indumiso Campus on 28 and 29 June 2025, returned with five medals. The best of these accolades was a gold medal that was won by Ziyanda Mhlongo, in the female 50kg category. Mhlongo’s full contact match was on the second day of the tournament.
Mhlongo, an S2 Civil Engineering student, who was a first USSA tournament participant, said she had some fears, but later relaxed, “and had fun”. Mhlongo, with a Brown belt, said she chose Karate because “Karate training develops agility, strength and speed, and allows for fast and effective techniques while also improving muscle tone and endurance. It also improved physical fitness and self-defence skills, and enhanced one’s social interactions and confidence. Karate offers a well-rounded experience”. Mhlongo had three fights, which she found to be hard.
On the same day, Sawela Khwela, another female student, won silver in the Under 55kg category. This S3 student said she used to like the Karate Kid movies; “as a kid, they fascinated me so much. Sometimes I would imitate the movies until my father brought to my attention that there was a dojo in our neighbourhood, and my little sister and I should join, mostly because of the amount of GVB happening in the country. My father wanted us to know the basics of self-defence; should there be a need for us to defend ourselves from harm, we would know what to do. Khwela also has a Brown belt. This was her second USSA tournament. “This time around, I found it much better because I knew my weaknesses, and I worked on them,” she said.
Two of the University’s male fighters earned bronze. These are Alwande Mbokazi, a Mechanical Engineering student, who competed in the Open division, and Luyanda Manci, who competed in the Under 60kg category. He is studying for a Diploma in Civil Engineering.