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15 March 2023 | Story Jóhann Thormählen | Photo Supplied
Nomsa Mathontsi is a senior member of the Kovsie women’s football team and has played in two Varsity Football and three USSA tournaments.

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

Kovsie singing sensation releases debut album
2017-02-16

Description:Hailey Clark, Deurmekaar Tags: Hailey Clark, Deurmekaar longdesc=

Hailey Clark, musician and
third-year BA Drama and
Theatre Arts student at the
University of the Free State.
Photo: Sonelle van Wyk.

Music was always something this singing sensation wanted to do from a very early age.

Sonet du Plessis, more famously known by her stage name, Hailey Clark, is a third-year BA Drama and Theatre Arts student at the University of the Free State (UFS). Her electronic pop debut album, titled Deurmekaar, was finally launched after a year of hard work and sacrifice.

Success in English and Afrikaans

Hailey, whose album features Afrikaans and English songs, says her music is influenced and inspired by a variety of local sounds and artists. “Dirk van der Westhuizen and Refentse – a new and upcoming artist – are two of the locals I look up to,” she says.

Reaching success at such a young age is the result of setting goals and achieving them. “Success is when you grow as a person and an artist in your music. You need to enjoy every moment of what you do and share it with other people,” Hailey says.

Future music producer and actress

With a bright future ahead of her, Hailey wants to become a full-time musician, but also wants to focus on acting, especially in films. “I want to perform as much as possible and hopefully become a music producer. I also have plans to do some acting as well.”

For all those who dream of becoming a musician, it’s hard work, Hailey says. “You have to know it is something you want to do and you have to commit to it. If it is what you want, keep focused and surround yourself with positive and encouraging people.”

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