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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

Boyden observatory celebrates its achievements
2004-10-05

The red carpet will be rolled out and champagne glasses filled tonight when the Boyden Observatory outside Bloemfontein will launch the first phase of the new science centre.

This phase, which was completed earlier this year, consists of a new auditorium, reception area and paths which connect educational visiting points on the Boyden terrain.

“Over the past two years the Boyden Observatory has been re-sited as a research, educational and public facility. The new facilities are now being utilised for educational and public programmes. The 1,5m Boyden telescope has also recently been upgraded and is used for research purposes,” says Dr Matie Hoffman from the University of the Free State’s (UFS) Department of Physics, who is responsible for the management of the centre.

“The Boyden Observatory is a unique facility of the UFS - we are one of the few universities in the world who has its own observatory,” says Dr Hoffman.

“The main purpose of the science centre is to create enthusiasm for science amongst the public. The centre also has a great educational function and focuses specifically on the improvement of the quality of science education in the Free State,” says Dr Hoffman.

Fund-raising for the planned second phase of the science centre, which will consist of interactive in- and outside exhibition areas, will also start tonight. “After the completion of the second phase the Boyden Observatory will probably become the most accessible and public-friendly observatory in the country and a great asset for the Free State Province,” says Dr Hoffman.

A small robotic telescope, which will be controlled from the University College Dublin in Ireland, will also be installed at the Boyden Observatory this year.

“Just as this year is a significant one for the UFS with its centenary celebrations, so it is also a significant one for the Boyden Observatory. The Harvard University in the United States of America started with the construction of the original 1,5 m telescope in its original form 100 years ago, the telescope was put in place at Boyden 70 years ago and Mr Uriah Boyden – the person who donated the money with which the Boyden Observatory was constructed, was born 200 years ago,” says Dr Hoffman.

The first phase of the science centre was built with funds sponsored by the AngloGold Fund, the Shuttleworth Foundation, the Charl van der Merwe Trust and the Lila Theron Trust. Donations from the Friends of Boyden Observatory and other individuals also contributed to the success of the project.

Those who are interested in educational tours of the science centre can contact Dr Hoffman at (051) 401-2322.

Media release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Media Representative
Tel: (051) 401-2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl.stg@mail.uovs.ac.za
5 October 2004

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