While everyone has begun to think about what they will be doing during the annual December break, at least 92 MUT students are already preparing for their annual University Sports South Africa (USSA) matches in the Western Cape, from the end of November to early December 2023. The University of the Western Cape will welcome 53 football players, and their technical team, the 19 boxers will test their skills against their counterparts from other universities in a tournament that will take place at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology. The 20 Cricket players will square up against other university cricketers at the cricket venue in the Western Cape’s George.
Both the players and the management have promised good performances. A very confident MUT ladies football Captain, Thobeka Mnguni said they would do well in the tournament. “I would like to reassure you that we put in a lot of training; we are ready for the competition, and we will win,” Mnguni said.
Bongile Ganyile, Sport Officer at the University, reminded the players how important it was for them to improve their performance and not rest on their laurels. Ganyile said he wanted teams to move to the next streams of their respective sporting codes.
The players were also given stern advice from various University officials, who emphasized the necessity for good behaviour to reflect well on the image of the Institution. Dr Mthoko Ntuli, Student Development Officer in the Department of Student Affairs, said the fact that the players have been selected to represent MUT means they are ambassadors of the University. “Perform well in your field and conduct yourself well off the field. If you do otherwise that will affect the image of the University. I appeal to you to always uphold the core values of MUT. Respect yourselves and others,” said Dr Ntuli. He then explained all the University values, which are, Accountability, Integrity, Respect, and Excellence. Dr Ntuli further explained why these values were important and how they guide the players in their interaction with all the people they would meet during their trips.
Ganyile reminded the players that gender-based violence (GBV) had become common at universities. He asked the players to not get involved in GBV and to defend the female players.