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23 December 2022 | Story Jóhann Thormählen | Photo Supplied
Kopano Melesi
Kopano Melesi has been involved with teams such as the USSA U21, South African U20 and U23 sides, and works at the Mahd Sports Academy in Saudi Arabia.

They were ambitious students, in the same study group, and graduated together at the UFS. Only a few years later, three friends from the class of 2015 are in charge of the strength and conditioning of three top sports teams in South Africa.

The former classmates Bongani Tim Qumbu (Springboks), Kopano Melesi (Bafana Bafana), and Tumi Masekela (Proteas men’s cricket) are making sure the best in the country is in shape to compete internationally.

And the trio are not the only sport scientists from their class to excel. Others like Obakeng Molopyane, who did Wayde van Niekerk’s conditioning, are also part of this special group. It all started while doing their honours in Human Movement Science and being mentored by some of the best in the business, like Prof Derik Coetzee, who was the conditioning coach when the Boks won the 2007 World Cup.

Melesi says Prof Coetzee played a big role in their development as they had a good road map to follow. “He exposed us to things in the professional world that a normal student could only dream of. We worked with national teams, domestic and international professional teams.”

“When we went out there, we were not unsure about our abilities and capabilities to execute.” According to Masekela, they were keen students and had great UFS lecturers.

“We would meet up most afternoons after lectures to break down the lesson that we had until we understood exactly what the lesson was about.”

“This included digging into the history of how certain theories came about, then debating on our own thoughts on the topic,” he says.

All three gained experience while still studying. Qumbu worked with the Kovsie Young Guns and Irawas, Melesi with the Kovsie soccer team, and Masekela with the UFS cricket team.

Melesi says early exposure, through ‘volunteering’ at local teams, is key if you want to reach the top.

“I would advise aspiring students to engage with their lecturers as much as possible in class, as they have a lot of practical knowledge about sport science that you will not read in a book,” says Masekela.

 

 


 

Kopano Melesi Tumi Masekela Bongani Tim Qumbu

Kopano Melesi has been involved with teams such as the USSA U21, South African U20 and U23 sides, and works at the Mahd Sports Academy in Saudi Arabia.

 

Tumi Masekela played cricket for the University of the Free State, Northerns, the Knights and Titans. He is now the strength and conditioning coach of the Proteas.

 

Bongani Tim Qumbu (left) worked his way to the top. He now looks after some of the best rugby players in SA like the Springbok captain Siya Kolisi. Here they are at a Bok training session.

Photo: Supplied Photo: Cricket South Africa Photo: Supplied

 

News Archive

KOVSIE XTRAVAGANZA 2004: Pedro on his way to entertain Kovsies!
2004-09-09

The annual Kovsie Xtravaganza will take place on Tuesday 21 September in the Sand du Plessis Theatre. Once again the best of the Kovsie artists will be show cased in this spectacular of colour, sound and movement. The well known performing artist, Pedro Kruger will act as your host for the evening. 

Some of the Kovsie artists who will be performing, will include: Brilliant Cut, Cantare Student revue group, the UFS Choir, the UFS Choral Choir, KARPOS, Voices Incorporated, Bea vd Vyver, Hanno and Andries (currently ZING finalists), Thabo Hlongwane, Lucy Letsoaka, UFS Gospel Mass Choir and the serenade and talent competition winners. For the first time ever at the Xtravaganza, a live band, Music Incorporated (udo Dieperink Moller), will accompany the soloists. Wayne Flemming will act as the director for the production.

The official residence culture winners will also be announced at this gala event.

Hereby all staff, students and people interested are invited to this centenary spectacular.

Tickets are available from PACOFS (+27 51 447 7772) at R25 per person. For all enquiries, contact Louis Botha (+27 51 401 2819).

 

 

 

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