Tshwane University of Technology - TUT, famed for developing elite athletes, calls for funding and sponsorship

Details: Published: 06 November 2024

by Phumla Mkize

The Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) – renowned for grooming elite athletes that compete on national and international stages – is inviting corporations, foundations and individuals to partner with it to improve its sports programmes and facilities.

TUT – which counts among its development athletes Olympic gold medallists, two-time Rugby World Cup winning athletes and Women’s Africa Cup of Nation superstars – is seeking sponsorship and funding for its sporting programmes, sports infrastructure development projects and community outreach initiatives.

The University, through its Directorate of Sport and Recreation, offers students and development athletes programmes to promote high performance at elite-level competitions. It also empowers them to be well-rounded professionals who succeed beyond the field of play.

TUT is also involved in community development programmes, which include sports and coaching clinics, career guidance, environmental awareness, and gender-based violence and femicide education.

The University’s state-of-the-art facilities provide great branding opportunities

The University is calling on companies, big corporations, philanthropic organisations and individuals to partner with it to improve its sporting programmes and facilities. Interested parties can do this by sponsoring and funding sports, infrastructure and community programmes.

The University has state-of-the-art facilities for rugby, soccer, netball, hockey, cricket, squash, tennis and softball, spread across six campuses in three different provinces, which provide branding opportunities.

The Tshwane University of Technology’s rugby programme, which consistently produces Bok-quality players, counts among its development athletes Springbok hooker Bongi Mbonambi.

TUT also has gymnasiums and a multipurpose centre to cater for different sports and events. The largest stadium has a capacity of 4 500, while the multipurpose centre accommodates 1 000 spectators, providing a versatile space for various sports and events.

TUT has earned its moniker of #HomeofChampions

Not only is TUT the largest contact university on the continent with 62 166 students, it also attracts sporting talent from diverse backgrounds.

In the squad that clinched South Africa’s first ever Women’s Africa Cup of Nation (Wafcon) victory in 2022, were three TUT development athletes. Refiloe Jane, the captain of the squad that beat host nation Morocco in a 2-1 thriller to win the tournament, is a former TUT development athlete. So is Hilda Magaia, who scored a brace in the final match. Nomvula Kgoale played for TUT in 2021.

There is no shortage of TUT alumni in the PSL, cementing TUT as a consistent feeder to the nation’s super elite athlete pool.

“Sport is more than just games, but a foundation of leadership, resilience and community,” said TUT’s first female Director for Sport and Recreation, Dr Hajira Mashego.

TUT develops Olympic gold medallist and World Cup winning players

Two-time Olympic gold medallist and three-time 800m World Championships winner Caster Semenya’s talent was nurtured and developed at TUT. Zeney Geldenhuys, a second-year student, represented South Africa at the 2024 Olympics Games in the 400m women’s hurdles.

Bongi Mbonambi, who was part of South Africa’s two-time Rugby World Cup-winning squad, is a product of TUT. The rugby programme, which has developed players such Andre Snyman, Werner Kruger and Bandise Maku, is synonymous with producing Bok-quality players.

TUT’s aerobics team represented South Africa at international competitions. The men’s netball team are the champs of the inaugural University Sports South Africa men’s tournament. The University’s high-performance men’s soccer team are four-time Varsity Football champions, while the women’s team are six-time champs, making TUT the most successful team in the competition.

TUT athletes living with disabilities are also earning international caps. Two have been selected to represent South Africa at the 2024 Blind Cricket T20 World Cup in Pakistan.

World-class coaches and sports administrators

TUT is also home to stellar coaches and administrators. TUT’s Dumisani Chauke was assistant netball coach for the Proteas at the Netball World Cup in 2023.

John Wright is a three-time Olympic umpire for hockey. While four-time Olympian Stephen Mokoka is TUT’s athletics coach.

Hendrick Mokganyetsi, head coach at TUT, is a 400m and 800m specialist with World Championship and All-African Games medals.

Dr Shadrack Nthangeni, TUT’s Executive Director for Student Affairs and Extracurricular Development, said TUT nurtures well-rounded individuals through mentorship, academic guidance and wellness support.

To continue to produce world-class athletes and students, TUT needs your help maintaining and upgrading its facilities and programmes, purchasing equipment and attire, awarding bursaries to deserving students, procuring a vehicle fleet, and funding community programmes.

To get involved and be part of the #HomeofChampions, please contact Dr Harija Mashego, Director for Sport and Recreation, +27 12 382 5389, mashegoht@This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.