Dear colleagues and students
The University of Cape Town (UCT) continues to demonstrate that excellence extends beyond our lecture theatres, laboratories and offices. I am delighted to share and celebrate the outstanding achievements of several members of our university community who are representing UCT and South Africa with distinction on national and international sporting stages.
Their achievements reflect the talent, discipline and dedication that define our university community, and remind us that UCT continues to produce leaders who excel in every sphere of society.
Dr Zamambo Mkhize to represent South Africa at the World Tennis Championships
Dr Zamambo Mkhize, senior lecturer in the Department of African Feminist Studies, has been selected to represent South Africa at the International Tennis Federation (ITF) World Tennis Masters Tour World Championships in Lisbon, Portugal, from 2 to 15 August 2026.
Dr Mkhize earned her selection after rising to number one in South Africa in the women's 40-and-over category following a series of outstanding performances on the national masters circuit. She will compete in both the team and individual events.
Her selection marks a return to the international stage, having first represented South Africa as a junior player at the age of 16. She has successfully balanced an outstanding academic career with a lifelong commitment to tennis, demonstrating that excellence in scholarship and sport can go hand in hand.
We wish Dr Mkhize every success as she competes against some of the world's best masters players.
Natasha Hofmeester appointed first SA Schools Girls head coach
Natasha Hofmeester, assistant coach of the UCT Women's Rugby team (Ikey Tigers), has been appointed as the inaugural head coach of the South African Schools Girls national rugby team.
A former Springbok Women's player, Hofmeester has played an important role in growing women's rugby at UCT since joining the coaching team in 2023. She has also progressed through the Western Province coaching structures, serving as assistant coach of the under-18 girls team before being appointed head coach in 2026.
Her appointment to lead the first-ever SA Schools Girls national team is a significant milestone for both her career and the continued growth of women's rugby in the country.
We congratulate Hofmeester on this historic achievement and wish her every success in developing the next generation of South African rugby talent.
UCT staff help Team South Africa defend CUCSA title
Three UCT staff members played key leadership roles in helping Team South Africa successfully defend its title at the Confederation of Universities and Colleges Sports Association Games in Botswana.
Deputy Director of Sport and Recreation Mark Bashe served as Team South Africa's chef de mission, leading the country's 171-member delegation throughout the tournament. Under his leadership, South Africa retained the championship title after finishing at the top of the medals table with 29 gold medals.
UCT Sport Coordinator Melissa Awu managed South Africa's championship-winning athletics team, which claimed 26 medals, including 13 gold, while UCT table tennis coach Craig Zimri guided the national table tennis team to another gold medal winning campaign.
Their contributions highlight UCT's growing influence in university sport and high-performance leadership across the region.
Myuoor Pillay earns world championship silver
Myuoor Pillay, a Business Science student, claimed a silver medal in the men's team kata competition at the 2026 FISU World University Championship Combat Sports in Brasília, Brazil.
Competing against the world's best university athletes, Pillay delivered an outstanding performance to earn a place on the podium at one of the sport's premier international competitions.
His latest success adds to an impressive list of achievements that includes Commonwealth, Southern African, South African national and University Sports South Africa titles. His accomplishments are a testament to years of discipline, perseverance and hard work while balancing the demands of elite sport and his academic studies.
Dr Insaaf Levy makes Springbok history
Dr Insaaf Levy, a UCT alumna and former Ikey Tigers player, has made history by becoming the first qualified medical doctor to represent the senior Springbok Women's rugby team.
Dr Levy recently completed her MBChB degree at UCT and is due to graduate in September 2026. She earned her first Springbok cap in May when she represented South Africa against Madagascar at the Rugby Africa Women's Cup in Kenya.
Having trained with the Ikey Tigers from her first year at UCT and represented the university at both University Sport South Africa (USSA) and club level between 2022 and 2025, Dr Levy's journey reflects an exceptional commitment to both medicine and elite sport.
Each of these achievements reflects the values we cherish at UCT: excellence, commitment, resilience and service. Our staff, students and alumni continue to demonstrate what is possible through hard work, resilience and dedication, while serving as outstanding ambassadors for our university and our country.
On behalf of our university, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all our sporting stars for their recent achievements. We are immensely proud of these achievements and wish our colleagues and students continued success as they fly the UCT and South African flags with distinction.
Sincerely
Professor Mosa Moshabela
Vice-Chancellor
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