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25 May 2023 | Story Jóhann Thormählen | Photo Supplied
Refiloe Nketsa, Karla Pretorius, Lefébre Rademan, and Khanyisa Chawane
The four Kovsies who are going to the World Cup have previously played together in the same Protea squad. From the left are: Refiloe Nketsa, Karla Pretorius, Lefébre Rademan, and Khanyisa Chawane.

The four Kovsies who are going to the World Cup are incredibly hard workers, very committed, have lots of big match temperament, and are great examples for the current University of the Free State (UFS) crop.

This is how Burta de Kock, UFS netball head coach, describes the quartet included in the squad of 15 players to represent the Proteas.

De Kock, who has worked at KovsieSport for more than 20 years, says their selection is an enormous privilege and they make the UFS incredibly proud.

Karla Pretorius, Khanyisa Chawane, Lefébre Rademan (former UFS students), and Refiloe Nketsa (current student) will represent South Africa at the first World Cup on African soil from 28 July 2023 to 6 August 2023 in Cape Town. Pretorius is also the Protea vice-captain.

Pretorius will attend her fourth World Cup and Chawane her second. Rademan and Nketsa will be playing in their first when they step onto the court.

Creating legends

“It was an honour to have coached all four and to still coach some of them,” says De Kock.

“It makes us incredibly excited that an experienced Karla and an inexperienced Refiloe are in the same Protea team. It shows players that there is a future if you work hard.”

Jerry Laka, Director of KovsieSport, says KovsieSport and the UFS community are extremely excited and proud about their inclusion, which is in line with the university’s values that shape and inform its culture.

They are a true reflection of the KovsieSport vision of creating legends through legacy by pursuing the delivery of excellent quality student athletes whose performances will impact the region, continent, and globe in line with the university’s Vision 130. – Jerry Laka

The UFS pursues excellence in every aspect of university life, including sport.

“They are a true reflection of the KovsieSport vision of creating legends through legacy by pursuing the delivery of excellent quality student athletes whose performances will impact the region, continent, and globe in line with the university’s Vision 130.

“We will be supporting them throughout the World Cup campaign. ‘Only a Kovsie knows the feeling’.”

UFS making dreams come true

Rademan, who has 35 Protea caps, was out of action for about nine months with a knee injury and has worked extremely hard to be in the World Cup contention.

She says her selection is a dream come true: “I am so grateful for God’s grace and that everything worked out according to His plan.”

The former Kovsie captain is thankful for KovsieNetball and De Kock’s impact on her career.

Rademan says De Kock has supported her since her injury in August 2023, and believes she was sent on her path to achieve her goals.

“KovsieNetball is where I grew as a person and player. I learned a lot and have the best memories!”

Nketsa has ten caps and has become the 20th UFS player to represent her country in 2021.

‘It shook her’ and she “felt very honoured” when she heard she was in the squad.

She says the support from the UFS was crucial in realising her dreams.

According to her, the university assists her academically to make sure she is up to date, and the ‘supportive structure’ helps her juggle netball and academics.

“And the support I receive from ‘tannie Burta’ is honestly out of this world and is so strong that you believe in the power she sees in us as players.”

News Archive

UFS hikers to Cape Town reflect on their journey
2014-05-26

 

For the four volunteers from the university who are currently on their way to the Cape on foot, every hour of every day is a victory.

It is three weeks since two employees from the University of the Free State (UFS), Adéle van Aswegen and Ntokozo Nkabinde, together with two other Bloemfontein residents, Nico Piedt and Ronel Warner, left Bloemfontein on fóót for the Cape, in order to highlight the problem of food insecurity among students.

On Sunday 18 May they crossed the halfway mark at Beaufort West and will conclude their journey on Tuesday 3 June in Cape Town.

This is what the hikers have to say after three weeks on the road:

Adéle van Aswegen
It isn’t only a physical journey, but rather an emotional journey you undertake. You learn what it means to be truly thankful for basic things like clothes, a place to sleep and food.

Nico Piedt
I know what it feels like to survive on only a glass of water in your stomach – a cup of weak tea if you’re lucky – for the whole day. If I can help (through the hike) to give someone a better chance in life, then it is worthwhile.

Ronel Warner
You think and grow simultaneously. As you plan every stride ahead of you, you also plan your life ahead.

Ntokozo Nkabinde
You don’t walk for yourself. You undertake this journey, maybe because you want to help someone, but this journey is actually in honour of something bigger and you just have to endure.”

These boots are made for walking ... to Cape Town (Article of 02 May 2014)
“Aren’t auntie and them hungry yet?” Country folk worried about NSH hikers (15 May 2014)

Daily updates:
(You can also follow us on @UFSweb for daily tweets)

Day 33: 2 June 2014
13:40
20 km
Sunset Beach, Cape Town

Day 32: 1 June 2014
16:05
26 km
Mervyn and Sanet Wessels, Belville

Day 31: 31 May 2014
16:31
39.6 km
Rhonell and Gavin Julain, Paarl

Day 30: 30 May 2014
14:00
16 km
Monte Rosa, Rawsonville

Day 29: 29 May 2014
13:16
31 km
The Habit, Worcester

Day 28: 28 May 2014
11:00
22.4 km
Monte Roza, De doorns

Day 27: 27 May 2014
17:00
21.1 km
Karoo Hotel

Day 26: 26 May 2014
18:27
43.3 km
Tows river

Day 25: 25 May 2014
12:18
Lord Milner Hotel, Matjiesfontein

Day 24: 24 May 2014
16:30
42 km
Laingsburg Country Lodge

Day 23: 23 May 2014
17:32
41.8 km
Vergenoeg

Day 22: 22 May 2014
16:42
43 km
Assendelft Lodge and Bush Camp, Prins Albert

Day 21: 21 May 2014
15:09
42 km
Leeu Gamka Hotel

Day 20: 20 May 2014
13:39
20 km
Alida, Springfontein

Day 19: 19 May 2014
12:31
27.6 km
Teri Moja Game Lodge

Day 18: 18 May 2014
First rest day
Nagenoeg Guesthouse, Beaufort West

Day 17: 17 May 2014
19:30
62.3 km
Nagenoeg Guesthouse, Beaufort West

Day 16: 16 May 2014
13:00
14 km
Taaibochfontein

Day 15: 15 May 2014
16:03
32 km
Travalia, Three Sisters

Day 14: 14 May 2014
18:33
43 km
Joalani Guest Farm

Day 13: 13 May 2014
17:30
33 km
Die Rondawels

Day 12: 12 May 2014
16:49
40 km
Aandrus B&B in Richmond

Day 11: 11 May 2014
39 km
Wortelfontein (Magdel and Christiaan)

Day 10: 10 May 2014
15:44
34 km
Hanover Lodge

Day 9: 09 May 2014
40.8 km
Camping between Colesberg and Hanover

Day 8: 08 May 2014
15:25
33.7 km
Colesberg, The Lighthouse Guesthouse

Day 7: 07 May 2014
15:08
23 km
Orange River Lodge

Day 6: 06 May 2014
15:57
51.06 km
Gariep Forever Resort

Day 5: 05 May 2014
12:18
28 km
Rondefontein

Day 4: 04 May 2014
15:27
35 km
Trompsburg: Fox Den

Day 3: 03 May 2014
17:30
46.74 km
Edenburg Country Lodge (Hotel)

Day 2: 02 May 2014
11:44 am
15.3 km
Tom's Place

Day 1: 01 May 2014
32 km
Leeuwberg

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