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Nomsa overcame obstacle to reach football heights

15 March 2023 | Story Jóhann Thormählen | Photo Supplied

Nomsa Mathontsi senior member of the University of the Free State (UFS) Women’s Football team has, despite enormous challenges excelled and achieved remarkable heights on and off the field.

Ms Mathontsi has been an avid sportsperson from an early age. Among her many extraordinary achievements the talented Ms Mathontsi has also been on the South African Women’s National Soccer squad Banyana Banyana.

What many may not know though, is that this is notwithstanding the obstacle Ms Mathontsi overcame in order to reach such heights. The Kovsie striker has limited hearing in her right ear and received a cochlear implant before she began her UFS journey in 2018.

I got affected when I was really young. I was doing athletics. This one time I had a very hectic race, which blocked my right ear –

At the University of the Free State Kovsie Health takes into account the medical history of its’ high-performance athletes who are closely monitored with the aim of achieving optimal performance. As in the case of Ms Mathonsi it is most important that the medical practitioner, Dr Gerhard Jansen, and his team at Kovsie Health take into consideration her medical history.

Kovsie Health provides a range of services to the UFS football programme that include: medical screenings; injury diagnosis; treatment; and rehabilitation.

Compulsory medicals

“I got affected when I was really young. I was doing athletics. This one time I had a very hectic race, which blocked my right ear.

“At first my family thought it was going to be OK, until we realised it was extremely serious and we had to do medicals,” the versatile player says.

Ms Mathontsi, a BAdmin student in Economic and Management Sciences has an implant in her skull but cannot play with her hearing device.

“Even the implant itself can be dangerous. If someone hits me with an elbow or something hard or (on the) head, it will hurt.”

It is compulsory for all UFS football players to take the South African Football Association medicals. Kovsie Health assists players in this process. This is conducted before each new season and include a basic medical, family and practice history, basis line tests, injury assessments etc.

According to Jansen, Kovsie Health needs to be aware of Mathontsi’s medical history so that they may make informed decisions and provide guidance. We will document it and if she should get concussion you will have to take it into account. We for instance know we shouldn’t see a loss of hearing as a negative sign.”

Special Kovsie football family

Mathontsi has represented the UFS in two Varsity Football campaigns, three USSA tournaments and plays in the Free State Sasol League.

Although she hasn’t made her international debut, she received two call-ups to the South African women’s squad and trained with Banyana Banyana.

The number 8 loves her UFS football family and says she has also learnt to balance sport and university.

“I think it is the bond and relationships we have with each other on and off the field that makes it special.

“I have learnt a lot in terms of leadership and how to take leadership as a senior player in the team.”

News Archive

Lots of inspiration at Autumn Graduation Ceremony

2013-04-18

Graduates celebrate the results of years of study at the graduation ceremony on the Bloemfontein Campus.
Photo: Hannes Pieterse
17 April 2013

Live streaming of ceremonies available from 16 April - 19 April 2013: http://www.ufs.ac.za/ufslivestreaming/

Joshua Johnson YouTube video

The university’s Autumn Graduation Ceremony got off to a vibrant start with energetic performances and inspiring messages for graduates.

Joshua Johnson, an American student who uses his talent for tap-dancing to fund his tertiary education, mesmerised the audience on the first of the four-day graduation ceremony with his story of hope and perseverance. The student from Penn State University travels five hours by bus to New York every weekend where he tap-dances on the subway trains to earn money for his tuition fees.

Delivering a keynote address, Joshua told graduates that, in order to achieve their goals, they have to understand and work diligently with the 24 hours they get to live daily. “Start with a bang and end with a bang,” he said, encouraging the audience in the nearly-packed Callie Human Centre to join him in a rhythmic tap-dancing beat.

“Don’t follow in the footsteps of someone else. Take the beat of life, but add your rhythm to it," his wise words resonating with the exhilarated graduates.

Joshua will be the guest speaker at the ceremonies on 16, 17 and 19 April 2013 and will deliver a dance item during each occasion.

Dr Khotso Mokhele, Chancellor of the University, echoed Joshua‘s message, telling graduates not to be discouraged by life’s difficulties.

“Take what you have learned over the last three or four years and use that knowledge to reach your goal,” he advised.

Prof Jonathan Jansen, Rector and Vice-Chancellor, encouraged them to continue to study. “To break the cycle of poverty, get an education, get a degree.” He told them that as graduates they are ten times more likely to get a job, with the odds rising as they continue their postgraduate studies.

Well-known radio host and Idols South Africa judge, Gareth Cliff, will be the guest speaker at two ceremonies on 18 April 2013. He will be joined by Vicus Visser, the South African YouTube singing sensation. Dubbed Bloemfontein’s Justin Bieber, Vicus and his brother Vincent will perform during these two ceremonies.

The programme for the respective ceremonies is:

Wednesday 17 April

09:30 Diplomas and certificates up to and including honours degrees in the Faculty of Education.
14:30 Diplomas and certificates up to and including honours degrees in the Faculties of Health Sciences, Law and Theology.

Thursday 18 April

09:30 Diplomas and certificates up to and including honours degrees in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences: only Agricultural Sciences and Architecture.
14:30 Diplomas and certificates up to and including honours degrees in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences: only Natural Sciences.

Friday 19 April

09:30 Diplomas and certificates up to and including honours degrees in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences: all diplomas and degrees in the Faculty, except BCom and BComHons.
14:30 Diplomas and certificates up to and including honours degrees in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences: only BCom and BComHons.

The Qwaqwa Campus’ graduation ceremony will take place on 8 June 2013. Diplomas/certificates up to and including doctorates will be awarded at this ceremony.

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