Rugby wins big at BCC awards
A rugby captain and an aerobics fanatic took home top honours at this year’s edition of the Buffalo City Campus (BCC) Sports Awards in East London recently that featured sports such as boxing, karate, golf, soccer, cricket, handball, softball, dance, chess and pool.
WSU All Blacks rugby captain Ndzondelelo Gemashe was a picture of elation as he scooped the 2016 Sportsman of the Year award, whilst his female counterpart, Vuyolwethu Mahobe took home the Sportswoman of the Year award for her incredible exploits in aerobics, athletics and volleyball.
“This award is dedicated to each and every single teammate that has given their all this year to elevate, not just sport at WSU, but the name and reputation of the university. I’m truly honoured to have achieved this with dedicated and passionate team that has elevated rugby at WSU to another level,” said Gemashe.
WSU All Blacks rugby captain Ndzondelelo Gemashe together with Vuyolwethu Mahobe
It proved a big night for the University’s premier rugby team, the WSU All Blacks, as they also charged for the top honours prize in the Code of the Year category, whilst nine of its players were rewarded for their exploits in the provincial rugby setup.
Softball would edge out three other nominees to take home much-deserved silverware after being crowned winners in the ‘Most Improved Code’ category.
Former Springbok Sevens rugby player Chumani Booi, who took on the task of coaching the All Blacks team in 2016, was also received his just rewards for an immeasurable contribution to the growth and development of rugby at the institution.
Similar awards were presented to long-standing WSU rugby head coach Sipho Metula and team manager Nandipha Majezi for their continued dedication to development of sport at the institution.
WSU alumnus Phumza Kekezwa, a karate black-belt and sensei who’s represented the national team several times in competitions around the globe, was also honoured with a special award for the unrelenting efforts in developing karate not only at the University, but in the country as an instructor and administrator in a number of levels.
WSU’s rugby team after scooping top prize in the ‘Code of the Year’ category
Over 80 trophies, medals and certificates were awarded to the campus’s top sports men and women in nine categories.
By Thando Cezula
