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31 October 2022 | Story Samkelo Fetile | Photo Tania Allen
Sne Mdletshe
Kovsie netball star and former Proteas netball team under-21 captain Sikholiwe Mdletshe hopes that she will inspire an entire generation both on and off the netball court.

Sikholiwe “Sne” Mdletshe’s passion and performance on the netball court makes her a force to be reckoned with. A fierce sportswoman and strong academic, Sne’s passion for her craft is also about inspiring those around her, and the next generation. This star netball player at the University of the Free State (UFS) scooped several Player of the Match awards during the 2022 Varsity Netball tournament, and she was also a clear crowd favourite. Despite the Kovsie netball team suffering a defeat in the semi-finals against North-West University (NWU), Mdletshe is grateful for the opportunity to live out her passion on the netball court. 

Where it all began

Mdletshe’s love for sports came very early in her life, and it was something for her to savour. “I have always had a passion for sports, whether it was athletics, soccer, or netball. I did it all – from primary school I played all the sports that were there, and in high school as well. I have just always been an active kid, and sports was a way to keep me busy,” she said.

Success and her family’s never-ending support helped motivate her. “My achievements in all the sporting codes really pushed me, from breaking records to getting the victrix ludorum award in Athletics [victrix ludorum is Latin for "the winner of the games", usually presented to the most successful team or competitor at a sports event], to getting Sports Star of the Year. Those were the things that really drove me to pursue and focus on sport. And of course, my family that pushed and supported me every step of the way.”

Balance between academics and sport

In 2019 Mdletshe captained the South African under-21 netball team while completing her BCom Accounting degree (which she completed cum laude). In 2020 she captained the UFS netball team. She also received her first call-up to the national Proteas netball team, for which she now has two caps. In 2021 she completed her BCom Accounting honours degree and is currently pursuing her Postgraduate Diploma in Chartered Accountancy. She believes that it is all possible through balancing, and she also hopes the next generation of students is encouraged to do extramural activities like sport.

“I came to the UFS in 2017 to study and play netball. Throughout the years, my lecturers have really helped me to find the perfect balance between academics and netball. The same can be done for the next generation of students, and a lot more can be achieved, individually and for Kovsie Sport as a programme.”

SA netball making strides

Mdletshe said she is not dissuaded by the slow growth of netball in South Africa. “Netball’s progress in being considered a professional sport in SA is steadily growing. We see the progress made in terms of players being paid to play netball. Earlier this year, a squad of contracted players was announced, and I am really looking forward to seeing some more growth and development in netball as a sport, especially it being considered a professional sport in the country, where many more netball players can be brought into the system. Big tournaments like the Varsity Netball Tournament make me very hopeful, and there is already a significant level of growth and interest shown in the sport. The way things are going gives a lot of encouragement to the younger generation who can possibly pursue netball as a professional career.”

Gratitude to all

Mdletshe gave a lot of praise to the Kovsie community. “I am honoured to have represented the UFS in varsity sports. For my performances, I would like to thank the coach and all my teammates for always pushing me. Gratitude to all the role players and most importantly to all our fans, who came out in numbers to rally behind us.”

She added: “Your journey in sports and in life will not be the same as the person next to you, and do not let that demotivate you. Take your time, make decisions that are best for yourself, and trust that your path will lead you exactly where your heart desires to be.”

News Archive

Researcher works on finding practical solutions to plant diseases for farmers
2017-10-03

 Description: Lisa read more Tags: Plant disease, Lisa Ann Rothman, Department of Plant Sciences, 3 Minute Thesis,  

Lisa Ann Rothman, researcher in the Department of
Plant Sciences.
Photo: Supplied

 


Plant disease epidemics have wreaked havoc for many centuries. Notable examples are the devastating Great Famine in Ireland and the Witches of Salem. 

Plant diseases form, due to a reaction to suitable environments, when a susceptible host and viable disease causal organism are present. If the interactions between these three factors are monitored over space and time the outcome has the ability to form a “simplification of reality”. This is more formally known as a plant disease model. Lisa Ann Rothman, a researcher in the Department of Plant Sciences at the University of the Free State (UFS) participated in the Three Minute Thesis competition in which she presented on Using mathematical models to predict plant disease. 

Forecast models provide promise fighting plant diseases
The aim of Lisa’s study is to identify weather and other driving variables that interact with critical host growth stages and pathogens to favour disease incidence and severity, for future development of risk forecasting models. Lisa used the disease, sorghum grain mold, caused by colonisation of Fusarium graminearum, and concomitant mycotoxin production to illustrate the modelling process. 

She said: “Internationally, forecasting models for many plant diseases exist and are applied commercially for important agricultural crops. The application of these models in a South African context has been limited, but provides promise for effective disease intervention technologies.

Contributing to the betterment of society
“My BSc Agric (Plant Pathology) undergraduate degree was completed in combination with Agrometeorology, agricultural weather science. I knew that I wanted to combine my love for weather science with my primary interest, Plant Pathology. 
“My research is built on the statement of Lord Kelvin: ‘To measure is to know and if you cannot measure it, you cannot improve it’. Measuring the changes in plant disease epidemics allows for these models to be developed and ultimately provide practical solutions for our farmers. Plant disease prediction models have the potential ability to reduce the risk for famers, allowing the timing of fungicide applications to be optimised, thus protecting their yields and ultimately their livelihoods. I am continuing my studies in agriculture in the hope of contributing to the betterment of society.” 

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