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13

M U T

S P I R I T

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S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 0

Siyabonga Maphumulo, MUT Dance Coach

Like other MUT sporting code coaches, Msona

continues to train his players during the lockdown

using technology. Msona has taken it a step further,

creating a number of challenges that gymnastic

enthusiasts can enjoy being part of. One of these is

the T-shirt challenge. “In the video I demonstrate how

a person can put on their T-shirt while in an upside-

down position, using only their hands, with their feet

balanced on the wall. You can only use one hand at

a time,” said Msona. You have to be extremely fit to

achieve this almost impossible task. It is very tiring to

be in a hand stand position for a long time.

Siyabonga Maphumulo, the dance coach, has enlisted

the help of his niece to get his message across to

his MUT dancers. Dance is an intimate sport, which

makes it even harder to practise in a time when we

are all preaching and observing social distancing.

“That is why I dance with my niece who is a member

of my family; I cannot dance with someone else,” said

Maphumulo.

Dance moves may appear easy, but a professional will

tell you otherwise. “There is a lot that goes into the

process and keeping fit is integral,” said Maphumulo.

He does physical training around the house every

morning and three hours of dance training with his

niece every afternoon. “I am helping her to become

a better dancer and preparing her for when she joins

MUT next year because she is in matric this year,” said

Maphumulo. When she eventually joins MUT she will

be an excellent dancer, he added.

As for his MUT dance team, Maphumulo uses

WhatsApp to send them dance moves to rehearse at

home twice a week. The dance moves are often in the

form of a dance routine that Siyabonga choreographed

with his niece. In return, team members have to send

videos of their best attempts at the dance moves back

to the group. Siyabonga then sends them individual

“Who would ever have

imagined a time when sports

teams would either not play at

all, or play in empty stadiums

and venues?”

Siyabonga Maphumulo, with his niece

feedback on their technique. For those who do not

have the luxury of a dance partner, Siyabonga sends

them dance moves that do not require a partner.

MUT athletics coach Xolani Mabhida has also been

hard at work throughout all the lockdown phases. This

award-winning coach continues to give training to his

athletes. He uses technology to take his team through

a gruelling training regime, determined to help them

follow in the footsteps of double marathon winner

Bongumusa Mthembu, another one of his athletes.