This month the University of Mpumalanga launched the Gauteng Alumni Chapter, which is another important milestone of our university. We had a great turnout from former students of UMP, all eager to promote our brand. 

An important element within today's society, is also knowing how to navigate and deal with gender issues and especially gender-based violence. It is a sad reality of our times, but one we must face and address and hope to do so with our specially created Gender Forum. You can read more on their plans in this month's newsletter. 

We'd like to congratulate Mr Danie Le Roux on completing his Master's in Agricultural Extension and Rural Resource Management and Dr Nokwanda Mbusi, our Mathematics Lecturer who also received a PhD qualification. Congratulations, and keep up the good work. 

It's not only our staff who act as fine examples, our Bachelor of Agriculture Extension & Resource Management student, Lerato Rasekganya used the lockdown to find ways to economically empower not only herself, but her community too! 

We're also extremely proud of our fully operational and up and running Tfokomala Hotel and Catering Services where Hospitality students in particular will get to hone their skills and can do Work Integrated Learning (WIL) and academics can use it for practical case studies. 

Finally, if you missed our virtual Career Expo, follow this link https://youtu.be/qXFZjaJQ7mY to find invaluable information aimed at assisting our soon-to-be graduates with making the right decisions going forward. 

Take care of yourselves, and each other.
Professor Thoko Mayekiso 
Vice-Chancellor

Addressing the Gauteng Alumni, the Vice-Chancellor Professor Thoko Mayekiso said the university was proud of the graduates and the work that they continue to do outside the university.

“You are in many ways not only part of the shaping of our university’s history, but you’re now also part of ensuring it’s future. From humble beginnings a short six years ago, our institution is fast taking its rightful place amongst the higher education institutions. From small beginnings, something is emerging. All of you present here today, do not have the weight of history on your shoulders. But you are making history. You are pioneers and trailblazers,” she said.

Professor Mayekiso continued: “You are following in the footsteps of those who started in Limpopo. Pioneers are always privileged, yet having a huge responsibility of going where there is no path, and establishing that path. Significant starts usually do not happen amidst drama and fanfare. Mainly because when you make a new start, everyone is adopting a ‘wait and see’ attitude.”

Reminding the Alumni of their role in the affairs of the University, Professor Mayekiso said: “You as Alumni must use your own experiences to share with those still on campus on how to navigate uncertainty. Remember you are our brand ambassadors. The UMP brand will be enhanced if you strive to excel in all spheres of life you engage in, and promote the interests and welfare of UMP,” she said.

She further went on to share UMP’s vision for 2021 and the strategic plans that have been put in place to ensure the university reaches its goals, and works towards becoming a leading institution not only locally, but globally as well.

Some of the speakers at the event were key management such as the Director of Student Housing, Dr Nomvula Twaise; the Director of Library and Information Services, Ms Zanele Mathe; and Senior Director: New Infrastructure, Mr Dennis Mokotedi. All three speakers shared the developments at the university.

“We don't operate without being guided by policies. We have a beautiful library with vast resources and superior library spaces. With Covid19 we have made use of our technological tools. We have introduced instant chat tools and self-checkout machines which makes our state of the art library adaptable,” said Ms Mathe.

Speaking on behalf of the Convocation, Mr Moses Sithole explained the role of the Alumni. “Your role is to support and promote the UMP. You have to be connected with the institution and ensure that you promote and protect the interests of the University.”

The event was concluded with the election of the Chapter’s chairperson and the secretary. Following his election into the chairperson role, Mr Boifang Mokhine said, “Being a part of the UMP Gauteng Alumni launch, let alone being elected as its first chairperson, is an inexplicable experience! For the inquisitive me came as 'an empty cup (ready to be filled)', hungry for information as always. I walked out with new values and responsibilities added to my life, all of which may not have occurred if it was not through furthering my studies with the University of Mpumalanga. I will forever be grateful and I am ready to serve to the best of my abilities." 

The secretary of the Chapter, Mr Floyd Monama said: “The Gauteng Chapter launch has brought a lot of hope to the hopeless. It has brought graduates closer to the foundation of knowledge and wisdom, which is UMP.”

Mr Sithole wished well the elected members and hoped to work with them in sharing the mandate of the Convocation and the University.

The Gauteng Chapter is the second to be launched by the University of Mpumalanga. Last year, the university launched the Limpopo Chapter.

@ Story by Lisa Thabethe. Pictures supplied.

UMP Gender Forum is mandated to oversee the gender agenda of the University, which is to be advanced through advocacy, support, education within the institution. Alongside the gender forum, the university was to establish a gender policy with an operational plan with clear allocation of responsibilities, time for monitoring and for the evaluation of transformation.

As the Chairperson, Dr Maqubela leads the implementation of the Gender Transformation or the transformation of the patriarchal culture within the institution and the surrounding communities. The forum will also assist in the identification and implementation of strategic interventions to drive transformation.

“The university also recently developed the Sexual Orientation Policy which endeavours to provide consistent, fair, transparent, reasonable procedures and structures to address complaints and transgressions against gender non-conforming staff and students,” says Dr Maqubela.

With this policy, the university seeks to take reasonable steps to create an inclusive, diverse, and safe environment which is free from all forms of homophobia and transphobia. The policy details the implementation of corrective and remedial actions for perpetrators against gender non-conforming staff and students.

“Like the sexual harassment policy, this one elaborates on the process of reporting homophobic transgressions. Both policies also promote gender awareness and the education of students and staff on gender and transgender issues. The university has also promulgated the Gender Equality policy which, together with the Employment Equity Plan, seeks to promote non-discrimination and gender parity at all levels of employment at UMP," she says.

Dr Maqubela adds: "This way, UMP endeavours to promote positive and non-discriminatory actions to ensure that it complies with the constitutional and legislative imperatives. The university also undertakes to provide its students, employees and stakeholders with a conducive working, learning and residential environment that is free from gender-based violence and sexual harassment."

With the establishment of the Gender Forum, the university seeks to ensure that gender concerns, harassment and gender-based violence are addressed fairly and with transparency. With the involvement of the newly formed Gender Forum the university will be in the better place to ensure that the monitoring and evaluation of reported gender injustices and gender-based violence cases within the institution are addressed immediately and successfully.

Dr Maqubela further says the Gender Forum will monitor and evaluate the progress made with regards to the gender transformation goals. “As a young university, UMP is currently putting in place structures and policies that will provide the necessary measures to curb the scourge of GBV. The university has promulgated a Sexual Harassment Policy which outlines the reporting process and disciplinary measures to be followed, as well as structures appointed for the policy implementation,” she adds.

This year, the forum was presented with a virtual workshop to alert students about human trafficking, which was organised by the student housing in Mbombela and Siyabuswa campuses. The presentations were on what:  Human Trafficking is, who the traffickers are, the purpose of trafficking, the effects of this criminal activity, and how students should protect themselves from being kidnapped and trafficked.

This initiative tied in well with the initiative started in 2019 by the Interim Gender Forum who partnered with the Department of Justice (DOJ): Human Trafficking Department, to better inform students of the dangers out there. In May 2019 a representative of the DOJ was invited to address students on Human Trafficking, and the same was done this year during the virtual GBV event held in August 2020. 

The University of Mpumalanga continues to highlight and address serious and important gender issues and to create an environment at the institution where all students and staff feel safe and secure on campus.

@ Story by Cleopatra Makhaga. Pictures supplied.

The basis of Mr Le Roux’s research was on the Collective Irrigation Scheme, a project he has been evaluating since 2004. He explains that the Collective Irrigation Schemes (The Seven Projects) was established post 1994 for emerging farmers. Each project is approximately 560 hectares in size, divided into smaller plots of about seven hectares, where selected farmers manage the production of sugar cane.

“The first involvement was in 2004 and again in 2006 and 2010. During follow-up evaluations, certain patterns of problems were observed which became the basis of my research for an Honours and Master’s degrees,” he says.  

“The objective of my studies was determining ‘The Role of Agricultural Extension in Collective Irrigation Schemes: A Case Study of Madadeni Irrigation Scheme, Mpumalanga, South Africa’. A framework was developed for current and future collective irrigation schemes on what the approach should be and how to manage it after it has been developed.” 

UMP has stepped up to assist him when he was faced with challenges. “The University of Mpumalanga assisted me with a bursary that was sufficient and when research had to be done elsewhere, I was given time off. When problems arose, I was able to engage with knowledgeable people at UMP.”

He says obtaining his Master’s will improve his engagement with other people and give him more confidence as a lecturer. “Studying also opens up new worlds and gives new insight to handling life’s issues. It can be said that it is important to keep on studying as technology changes quickly and to keep up as a lecturer without improvement, lecturing will become difficult,” he says. 

Mr Le Roux has intentions to immediately pursue a PhD. He is currently researching on how to start with a PHD in a similar area of water management. 

“My Master’s degree was a building block to get to my PhD. To me it meant a great deal; I started here as a technician with a diploma from the Tshwane University of Technology and later approached UKZN for further studies where I was allowed to do an Honours degree, which I followed up with a Master's degree,” he says. 

He adds that achieving the Master's qualification will improve his engagement with other people and give him more confidence as a lecturer.

"Studying opens up new worlds and gives new insight to handling life's issues. It can be said that it is important to keep studying as technology changes quickly and to keep up as a lecturer without improvement, lecturing will become difficult in future. We have a high unemployment rate in South Africa, I always teach my students that the only way to get employment is to equip yourself as best as possible. You should be so well qualified that people want to use you."

His advice to post-graduates within the irrigation industry is that they continue with training to equip themselves with the latest trends and developments in irrigation development. 

“Climate is changing and in irrigation, the buzzword is irrigating efficiently. This can only be done with the latest technology and the efficient use of a scarce resource. When working with emerging farmers, the farmer with his knowledge and past experiences should be at the centre of new developments where his knowledge should be recognised and incorporated in the planning and management. As the climate is changing, anticipate what will happen and base future planning on expected climate changes. 

Mr Le Roux's career at UMP began in the 80s as a lecturer at the Lowveld College of Agriculture, now the University of Mpumalanga. He has lectured several courses, which include Soil Science, Agronomy and Water Management. 

@ Story by Cleo Makhaga. Pictures supplied.

Director of the Hotel and Catering services, Mr Tenson Nkosana says the hotel and conference centre will aid learning by acquainting hospitality students with comprehensive operational skills in hospitality through practice in the Tfokomala Hotel.

“The integration of theory and practice is one of the fundamental principles in the professional preparation of hospitality students. To achieve this, the Hotel focuses on "Learning by Doing" for students to gain hands-on experience in operational roles in the restaurant, kitchen and all other hotel divisions,” he says.

Mr Nkosana adds that students will be scheduled on a rotational roster to cover all four major operational areas of the hotel namely, rooms division, food and beverage, kitchen practice and the functions and events coordination.

“These would be students placed for WIL in the hotel or ordinary classes scheduled for practical orientation in the hotel and conference centre." 

As part of the curriculum, hospitality students are expected to do their practicals at hotels but during lockdown the school of hospitality faced challenges placing students for WIL because movement was not allowed. Sadly this year most hospitality establishments were closed and students’ contracts were terminated.

UMP Head of the School of Hospitality and Tourism, Dr Oswald Mhlanga, says the hotel is aiding learning by acquainting hospitality students with comprehensive operational and technical skills in hospitality.

“Already hospitality students are benefitting in five teaching domains are; Work-Integrated learning, Operations and observations, Case studies, Student Projects, and Research.

“The hotel is the first teaching and research hotel of its kind in a developing context, particularly in Africa. Although other universities in developed countries have teaching hotels, the UMP’s approach is unique in that the Hotel is a purpose-built hotel that completely integrates teaching, learning and research in a full-service environment," says Dr Mhlanga.

He further explains that the hotel will also bring convenience to the school by providing support for academic research and will be used as an innovation incubator to advance the digital economy in the hospitality industry.

“The opening of the hotel will assist in teaching and learning in the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management. It will also support different teaching modalities in the school, namely, Work-based learning (WBL), Project-based learning (PJBL), Problem-based learning, Work directed theoretical learning (WDTL) and Hotel simulation (HS)."

"This is very important especially for a technical qualification such as Hospitality. Hotel rooms will be used as “prototype” guest rooms for research purpose. Various research themes will be tested in the guest rooms, namely; Wellbeing, Technology, and Sustainability,” he says. 

UMP hospitality management and tourism students love that they are doing their practicals in a hotel at a university.

Hospitality student Sibongile Mathebula says, “When I did my practicals at the Tfokomala hotel they were different from the ones we did in class. At the hotel we also have all the right equipment which makes you feel like you are in the workplace,” she says.

Another student Jessica Vilakazi says the hotel has assisted them because they are able to anticipate the challenges.

“Having a hotel in the university was a good idea since it is preparing us for the pressure that lies ahead. We are able to estimate how much effort to put in, since the industry is broad and one needs to be very flexible and active to get the work done.”

The hotel school will also aid research in hospitality and tourism. It will also create and facilitate more in-depth research into the application of advanced concepts in the field of hotel management for the advancement of the entire industry.

The Tfokomala Hotel and Conference Centre offers accommodation from executive suites to classic double and twin rooms. It serves breakfast and lunch. The establishment is also equipped with a bar that is open from 10am to 9pm week days. For bookings, call: 
013 002 0400 or email: hotelbookings@ump.ac.za. 

@ Story by Cleo Makhaga. Pictures Supplied

“I’m working towards my goal of becoming an executive woman in the field of agriculture and being an inspiration to everyone and the generation that is to come,” she adds.

“UMP has been phenomenal in making me the person I am today. It taught me to be resilient, dedicated, committed and to be consistent in any initiative I embark upon. I’m proud to be part of the University as it has created opportunities for me to grow as a young entrepreneur.”

The 23-year-old applied the knowledge she acquired in class and used her NSFAS allowance to start a vegetable farming business, which has become a huge success. It has benefitted her small community in Taaibosch GaMamadi, Limpopo.

“I used my allowance to purchase seeds and gardening tools. I began with the preparation of the soil, used dead leaves as manure, prepared the seedbeds and the process of farming began.”

Her farming project became a success. She has reaped the fruits of her hard labour. The business does not only sell vegetables to her community, it has also motivated locals to combat poverty by starting their own farming businesses,” she says.

Rasekganya is involved in a series of businesses. She recently became a partner at Succeed Poultry Institute, a business that educates people on farming and selling chickens.

“We help develop poultry farmers. There is a lot of interest as more people have registered with us. What makes our business successful is that we are affordable and reachable on all social media platforms.”

A serial studentpreneur who has multiple businesses, she is also a YouTube sensation who has won the hearts of many young women who aspire to be like her. On her online channel, she presents a talk show about personal development, and entrepreneurship. Some of her topics have made a very huge impact on many young people’s lives.

“The talks are mostly about overcoming the challenges I faced during the national lockdown. I commit more of my time on school than anything else. I also take a risk to achieve my dreams.”

“I have a diary, schedule and time table of everything I do. Sometimes I’m forced to multitask because everything requires my attention. Every day when I wake up, I remind myself of all that I want to accomplish, I use the SWOT analysis that helps me to stay in the game.”

@ Story by Cleo Makhaga. Pictures Supplied.

UMP delivered an informative virtual career expo where companies from different industries presented soon-to-be graduates with information on the recruitment processes, bursaries and vacancies.

Bachelor of Science in Agriculture student, Thuso Tshiloane is still in awe of how the university pulled together such a magnificent event in the middle of COVID-19 and the lockdown. He says the career expo was insightful and gave him all the information he needed to start looking for employment opportunities.

“The presentations were helpful, especially the one from OVC, which places agricultural students abroad. The information they shared has empowered me to increase my skills and knowledge internationally," he says. 

Tshiloane says the presentations about the opportunities that lie ahead after he obtains his degree were invaluable. The transition from the normal physical career expo to it being held virtually will also assist students who missed the expo as it’s available online. As students, we have a lot on our minds so we can easily get distracted and when it’s time to apply for a job or internship I can always go back to the video on UMP YouTube to check all the requirements." 

After graduating Tshiloane wants to be an Agriculture Extension Officer and the speakers in his field have equipped him with knowledge on how to go about applying for internships for next year.

“Applying for land allocation and funding from the Department of Agriculture would be my first step as I want to play a role in job creation and poverty alleviation. Now I know where to start with job hunting. There are plenty of opportunities out there." 

UMP Student Engagement Division Senior Manager, Mr Raymond Mkhwanazi says the 2020 career expo was informative and insightful and was a different experience because of COVID-19 and the lockdown but it was worth it for students.

The division requested companies and the department to give presentations through zoom meetings, which were recorded and presented as an event to the students.

“The institution provided a platform for prospective employers to give information on what skills and subjects are needed if students want to work in a certain company or certain career. It was a different experience from the previous career expo because the Covid-19 pandemic presented a new normal to us and we had to adapt to the global situation."

Another student studying Bachelor in Development Studies, Simon Mashile, says the career expo assisted him to be informed on which channel to take when it comes to his career choices.

“I want to be a development officer and I got the information I needed to go about getting there. This was my second time attending the career expo and whenever I attend new knowledge is gained,” he says.

Students who missed the career expo can watch the videos on the UMP YouTube channel.

@ Story by Cleo Makhaga. Pictures: Supplied.

Professor Mahlomaholo, formerly the Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Teaching and Learning at the University of Zululand (UNIZULU), joins UMP as Research Professor of Education starting in November 2020 at the Siyabuswa Campus

He launched his academic career as an assistant teacher and moved up to lecturer at Sefikeng College before becoming the Deputy Dean in the Faculty of Education at the University the North, Qwaqwa Campus, and held several positions including Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Research at the Walter Sisulu University from January 2017 to December 2018.

Professor Mahlomaholo was also Dean of the Faculty of Education at the University of the Free State before moving to Senior Professor and Head of the Mathematics and Natural Science Education Department at the University of the Free State.

In August 2009, Professor Mahlomaholo was the Research Professor in the Faculty of Education at the North-West University in Potchefstroom and before that he was the Professor and the Director of the Curriculum Development Unit at the Central University of Technology.

Professor Mahlomaholo has been involved in a few community engagement projects, which includes coordinating the South African chapter of the International Project for the Mathematical attainment comprising 17 other countries across the globe. He was also the Research Development officer for the Southern Africa Association for Research in Science, Mathematics and Technology Education and Vice Chairperson of Primary Maths-Project South Africa.

Professor Mahlomaholo also holds a Certificate in Instrumental Enrichment, Assessment and Intervention Techniques from Witwatersrand University.

The University of Mpumalanga welcomes Professor Mahlomaholo and the positive contribution he brings to the institution. 

@ UMP Communication Division. Picture Supplied.

Dr Mbusi believes her PhD will open up opportunities including leadership within the academic sphere in the field of Mathematics Education. The title of her PhD study was: The Use of van Hiele Theory to Address BEd Foundation Phase Students’ Misconceptions with Transformation Geometry. Dr Mbusi says the topic gave her an opportunity to interrogate and explore issues that had a significant impact on the understanding and academic performance of her BEd students. 

“Besides exploring students’ errors, the study involved the design of an intervention programme that sought to address the problems identified. As part of its contribution to the discourse, the study culminated in the production of a manual made up of key constructs and activities for teaching transformation geometry to BEd students,” says Mbusi. 

“My research focus areas included geometry and measurement, within the context of teaching and learning mathematics. For example, I prepared and presented a paper at a national conference on: The process of the development of a toolkit to support pre-service teachers’ understanding and presentation of ‘length’ in the mathematics classroom." 

Other research focus areas include the use of Indigenous Knowledge Systems as a vehicle for mediating learning and improving learners’ understanding of mathematics. 

“An example of this focus area includes a research study in which learners’ traditional dance moves were used to learn mathematics. This was a formal study at Masters’ level, which culminated in the design of a learning programme that outlined how traditional Xhosa dance activities could be used to facilitate the teaching and learning of various mathematics topics within the primary school curriculum."

Finding a work-life balance
Though her road to achieving her PhD has not always been smooth sailing, Dr Mbusi reveals that there were moments when she felt overwhelmed by the demands of her studies and finding a balance between her full-time job as a lecturer, and family.

“I tried setting separate time frames but I sometimes found myself missing deadlines for submission of both my work requirements and my studies as required by my supervisor from time to time. Fortunately, I had colleagues who were also doing their PhDs and had the same supervisor as me. We formed a WhatsApp group and checked on each other, encouraged and assisted each other. For example, we knew enough about each other’s research topics that one would share reference material with the relevant person when they came across it."

Dr Mbusi’s advice to other aspiring post-graduate students is to have an inner conviction that you are ‘ready’ for the commitment. “However, the reality is that sometimes people find themselves pressured, for one reason or another, into enrolling for post-graduate studies. In that case, the knowledge and anticipation of what you will be able to accomplish when in possession of your post-graduate degree, should be enough motivation towards committing to your studies.”

She further says that success will come through a combination of effort, commitment and being realistic about the added responsibilities. “For example, if you have to juggle between work and studies, then you must expect a lot of compromise, such as having to get used to less hours of sleep than before, while constantly making sure your work commitments do not fall behind.”

Journey at UMP
Dr Mbusi joined UMP in 2017 as a lecturer for Mathematics in the BEd programme under the School of Education. During her time at the university she received support from the offices of the Vice-Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor: Academic and the Engagement Division, by giving her the opportunity to network and engage with other professionals in her field. This she says has culminated in her participation in projects such as the Department of Higher Education and Training’s Primary Teacher Education Project and the Family Math Project through a partnership with the University of the Free State. 

“Most importantly, the UMP Department of Research and Capacity Development, through some training courses on, for example, proposal writing and research methodology, made it possible for me to obtain my PhD,” says Dr Mbusi.

Dr Mbusi began her teaching career in 1990 at a high school in Port Elizabeth and later on continued at various other schools in Butterworth in the Eastern Cape. 

“My love for reading, together with influence from other professionals in the field, motivated me towards studying further in the field of education in general and Mathematics Education in particular. Hence I later obtained the qualifications: BComm (UNISA), BEd, MEd (Rhodes University) and, recently, PhD (University of Johannesburg).”

She adds: “As I continued studying further, I saw the need to apply my knowledge in Teacher Education, where I could make more of an impact: I joined Walter Sisulu University in 2008, where I lectured in Mathematics Education at the Butterworth and Mthatha campuses. 

Over the years, she has contributed towards teacher empowerment and subject development, through, for example, developing training material for and facilitating Mathematics teacher workshops, and setting regional examination papers. 

Last year in 2019 Dr Mbusi together with her colleagues and some fourth year student teachers from the School of Education in Siyabuswa hosted a group of nine students from the St. Gallen University of Teacher Education in Switzerland. 

The South African Foundation Phase (FP) mathematics curriculum supports the development of conceptual understanding based on learners’ environment which they are familiar with. Examples of such contexts include activities that learners carry out as part of their daily lives, such as singing and dancing. 

Dr Mbusi shared with the Swiss students how to achieve conceptual understanding of patterns in mathematics by using SA cultural dance, music and artwork. Participants sang cultural songs using African languages, danced and clapped hands to a rhythm that could be translated into mathematical patterns involving counting; they observed geometric patterns that appeared in SA cultural artefacts such as in Ndebele houses and African traditional attire such as that of the Pedi, Swati and Ndebele. 

The integration involved sharing with the participants some of our African history as it relates to music and dance. All these activities culminated in the identification of different patterns that can be used in the mathematics classroom.

Currently Dr Mbusi is working on a research paper, which involves the exploration of the role of Family Math in improving mathematics teaching and learning in rural primary schools in the Siyabuswa area of Mpumalanga.  

@ Story by Cleo Makhaga. Pictures supplied.

The Sports Award nomination came after Mokoena received an email from the company that ran and organized the awards requesting him to submit his sports profile, any positive media articles of previous work, three examples of proof of excellence, and sustainable administration rendered.

“The manner in which all of this happened made me realise that people do notice the work that I have been doing. I have worked in the sports industry for a long time and being nominated showed me is that one needs to ensure quality in their work at all times. Till this day I still do not know who nominated me.”

At UMP Mokoena’s role is to ensure that students have activities to participate in and also to provide them with the opportunity to participate in activities at local, regional, national and international level.

He works closely with students to make sure that they reach their ultimate best on the sporting field. He coordinates the sporting activities and also manages opportunities for UMP participation and hosting of prestigious sporting events at a local, regional and national level.

“This nomination would not have been possible if it was not for the UMP student-athletes that I work with every day. Being at UMP has helped me grow as a person and at sports; I work with students who all come from different backgrounds and cultures. My passion is to make sure that the student athletes are exposed to high performance,” he says.

“I’ve always wanted to work in university sports and when I heard that our province would very soon have its own university, I decided to finish my B-Tech and ensure that when the opportunity comes, I am well positioned and ready. UMP being a new institution has been very beneficial as we’ve been able to create a culture and shape our future, which will be beneficial to all athletes in the province. This will help us to attract athletes that come through the school system and have them stay in the province instead of going to other provinces.”

Mokoena is not new to the sporting industry. He has been exposed to sports from an early age. As a child he grew up watching football and has also actively participated in sports during his school days.  

Post high school he pursued sports and obtained a Bachelor of Technology in Sports Management from the Tshwane University of Technology. Today he is a well-known sports administrator who is recognised for his contribution in the sports industry. Mokoena also serves as an Executive member of Nkangala Netball as a convenor for the Leagues and Tournaments.

@ Story by Cleo Makhaga. Pictures Supplied.