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04 August 2023 | Story Jóhann Thormählen | Photo Luigi Bennett
Shimlas Coach
Former Cheetahs assistant coach Melusi Mthethwa looks forward to coaching the Shimlas again. He was the head coach of the Central University of Technology in the 2023 Varsity Cup, and a former UFS Young Guns head coach and Shimlas assistant coach (attack).

The University of the Free State (UFS) rugby team has strengthened its coaching ranks with the addition of Melusi Mthethwa, who returns to the UFS after a previous stint as a Shimlas assistant coach.

Mthethwa is set to fulfill a similar role as before, with the aim of giving the team a boost ahead of the 2024 Varsity Cup. He will be the new attack and backline coach, and continues an established rugby relationship with André Tredoux, the Shimlas head coach.

Mthethwa will return to the UFS from the Central University of Technology (CUT), where he is the head coach. In 2023 he was also the Griquas attack and backline coach.

Previously Mthethwa was a Cheetahs assistant coach (attack and backline) and coached the Cheetahs junior rugby sides. At Kovsies, he has been the UFS Young Guns head coach and a Shimlas assistant coach (attack).

The Shimlas have now acquired his services for the next two years, since the contract of Swys de Bruin, UFS director of coaching for the past two years, came to an end after the 2023 Varsity Cup.

Long rugby relationship

Tredoux and Mthethwa worked together while coaching junior sides at the North-West University (NWU) and Leopards from 2009 to 2011. The Shimlas head coach is excited to coach with him again, and says Mthethwa adds a lot of experience. 

“We know each other since 2005 [when Tredoux coached Mthethwa as a NWU U20 player]. He is a hard worker and great coach,” Tredoux says. “We are thrilled to see what he can bring to our attack and the skills of our backline players. It is an exciting time, and he certainly strengthens our coaching team.”

Mthethwa believes it’s the right time for him to join Kovsies. He says the UFS coaching team understands the game, and he wants to contribute positively. “The Shimla coaches are exceptional guys, and it will be great to join and work with them. And to see if we can make a big change in Bloemfontein.” 

Excelling on and off field

Jerry Laka, Director of KovsieSport, says the UFS wanted to strengthen the Shimlas technical team and provide Tredoux with more assistance. He says Mthethwa’s experience will add value and contribute to the success of the coaching staff.

His appointment is also in line with the university’s Vision 130, with one of its key values being excellence. “His appointment shows that we want to excel in everything we do, whether it is on the playing field or in the coaching staff,” Laka says. “Melusi brings a different dimension to our coaching. And he will be of great support to André. They have worked together before, and will carry on with that brilliant working relationship.”

News Archive

ULM staff attend MIDP symposium in Belgium
2009-10-14

 
Staff members of the Unit for Language Management (ULM) at the University of the Free State (UFS) recently returned from the second international MIDP symposium, “Multilingualism from below”, which was held at the University of Antwerp, Belgium. The symposium arose from a co-operation project between the Province of Antwerp (also the sponsos of the project), the Free State Province and the UFS.

In terms of this agreement, assistance is provided to the Free State Province with regard to the development and consolidation of institutional multilingualism. Research concerning aspects of multilingualism arises from this focus. Such research has been undertaken within the area where the UFS’s KhulaXhariep Project is being conducted since 2008. Three of the papers that were delivered at the congress covered aspects of multilingualism from below, as encountered in the Xhariep. Other papers delivered by members of the ULM focused on problematic aspects of language-related issues in South Africa.

Ms Chrismi-Rinda Kotzé, research assistant and MA student at the ULM, was the recipient of an award for the best lecture delivered by a pre-doctoral student at an MIDP symposium. She shares the prize with Cécile Petitjean. A total of 8 of the 35 lectures at the symposium were delivered by pre-doctoral students from various countries. Ms Kotzé was the only South African student at the symposium. Pictured are the delegates who attended the symposium.
Photo: Supplied

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