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UFS’s Louzanne Coetzee selected to SASCOC Athletes Commission

01 April 2025 | Story Onthatile Tikoe | Photo Supplied

Louzanne Coetzee, a Paralympian and trailblazer in South African sport, has always embodied resilience, determination, and a passion for pushing boundaries. Recently, Coetzee achieved another milestone in her career – being selected to serve on the Athletes Commission of the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) for the next Olympic and Paralympic cycle. For Coetzee, this recognition is not just a personal achievement but an opportunity to drive meaningful change for athletes, particularly those with disabilities.

“Being selected as part of the SASCOC Athletes Commission is a great privilege,” she says. “It gives me the opportunity to represent athletes at the SASCOC level and take their issues forward. I was part of the previous commission, and I look forward to building on the work we have already started.”

As a visually impaired (classification T11) athlete with a distinguished career, Coetzee’s experiences inform her approach to this new role. Although she is not directly part of the SASCOC board, her seat on the Athletes Commission allows her to act as a crucial advocate for athletes, contributing to decisions that impact South African sport. “The commission will have its training soon, and we will learn more about our new responsibilities there,” she explains. “But my focus is clear: I want to improve classification opportunities for para-athletes and contribute towards enhancing high-performance athlete support in South Africa.”

Her vision extends beyond just the athletes she represents – she recognises the unique challenges that athletes with disabilities face. “The drive to succeed needs to come from within. You, as an athlete, are responsible for your performance, and that mindset is essential,” Coetzee says. She adds that the commission hosts athlete indabas, where athletes can voice their concerns and share the challenges they face. “We will continue to address these issues and work towards solutions that make a real difference.”

Coetzee has a clear message for young athletes with disabilities: “Your drive for success needs to be part of who you are. You alone control whether you succeed. And when challenges arise, don’t be afraid to voice them and seek assistance. Be creative in finding solutions to your unique challenges.”

Her advice extends beyond the competitive arena. After balancing a successful athletic and academic career with leadership aspirations, she emphasises the importance of time management for those seeking to excel both in sport and leadership. “It might be hard to do both, but it’s achievable if you plan properly,” she says, offering valuable guidance for aspiring athletes who wish to follow in her footsteps.

Her passion for improving inclusivity and accessibility in South African sport drives her to advocate for greater awareness of para-sports. “I want more people to know these athletes and support them on their journey,” she says. “There needs to be more awareness regarding para-sport, and as athletes we need to speak up. If we don’t, things won’t change for the betterment of us as athletes.”

Despite her incredible achievements, Coetzee remains motivated by a simple love for her sport. “I really enjoy what I do. It’s not just a job; it’s a passion,” she says. She also emphasises the importance of diverse representation on boards like SASCOC. “It’s vital that athletes have a say in the decision-making processes that impact their careers,” she says. “If we don’t speak up, things won’t change.”

Her success is also a testament to the support and opportunities she has received throughout her journey. “Everyone at the University of the Free State (UFS), especially KovsieSport and the Centre for Universal Access and Disability Support (CUADS), has played a major role in my success,” she says. “The support has helped me compete at the highest level while remaining academically strong. I am truly honoured to be backed by such a great institution.”

Finally, Coetzee calls on the public to help raise awareness and support for athletes with disabilities. “Show support for these athletes, be interested in the sports they play, and watch Paralympic sports when available. Be vocal about your support, as that can make a huge difference in recognition and opportunity,” she encourages.

As Louzanne Coetzee continues to break barriers and inspire others, her commitment to improving the lives of athletes, especially those with disabilities, remains unwavering. Through her leadership on the SASCOC Athletes Commission, she is not just advocating for athletes today but also paving the way for future generations to succeed in an inclusive and supportive sporting environment.

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Graduates challenged to fulfil their leadership obligations

2017-12-08

Photo: Johan Roux

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6 December: Morning
6 December: Afternoon
7 December: Morning
7 December: Afternoon

A total number of 1 226 qualifications, including diplomas, certificates, and degrees, were conferred during the two days of the 2017 End-of-Year Graduation Ceremony which took place on the Bloemfontein Campus of the University of the Free State (UFS). Forty doctorates and 109 master’s degrees were awarded. Most doctorates (19) were awarded in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences which also conferred the biggest number of master’s degrees (27).

Celebrating excellence
Some of the highlights at this year’s graduation ceremonies were when the university honoured Prof Paul Holloway and Marius Botha with honorary doctorates and Joyene Isaacs with the Chancellor’s Medal.

Isaacs, Head of the Department of Agriculture in the Western Cape, who was nominated by the Centre for Sustainable Agriculture in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences for the Chancellor’s Medal, said: “Agriculture is one of those areas people take for granted. With this medal, agriculture can come to the fore. Agriculture is placed in the spotlight and it is important for this country, but also globally, because we look after the food supply. For me agriculture has been a sustainable livelihood but also a career. Everything about agriculture excites me! I hope that through this award I can take agriculture to the next level.”

Prof Holloway, internationally acclaimed expert in the science and technology of surfaces, thin films, and nanoparticles, who received the Honorary Doctorate in Science degree, said: “This award recognises the efforts we (the UFS and the University of Florida in the US) have jointly developed. We introduced the UFS to phosphors and today it (the UFS) has world-wide recognition expertise in this field. We also learnt from them. They brought us technology we did not have before. It was a mutual growth technique and we all benefit from that. If you work together you can achieve remarkable things.”

“It is the greatest honour of my life. I’ve been associated with the UFS for 17 years in the capacity of moderator, examiner and sometimes lecturer.” These were the words of Botha, author and expert in the financial planning circles of South Africa who was nominated for an honorary degree by the School of Financial Planning Law.

Botha told graduates that a qualification in the financial planning field would give you many opportunities. “If you enter almost any financial services organisation in South Africa, you will find senior people there that completed the postgraduate diploma in Financial Planning Law at the UFS,” he said.

During a luncheon that was hosted by Prof Francis Petersen, the UFS Rector and Vice-Chancellor, in honour of these esteemed graduates, he thanked them for the contribution they had made, not only for the UFS, but for advancing science, technology, and the better of society. “The Honorary degrees and Chancellor’s Medal are the highest accolades and recognition that the university can bestow on individuals who have excelled in science or scholarship or have contributed to service to this country. You are exemplary individuals and you make the UFS, our country and the world proud,” he said.

Photo: Johan Roux

Inspiration for the future
Likeleli Monyamane, a UFS Council member, addressed graduates during the morning ceremony on 6 December 2017. She motivated graduates to walk tall and learn to serve our country. “Finding your voice comes with a responsibility to speak for those who do not have a voice,” Monyamane said.

Leah Molatseli, who launched South Africa’s first legal e-commerce website, Lenoma Legal, was the guest speaker at the afternoon session on 6 December 2017. “You are going to start afresh. It is going to feel like you know absolutely nothing and it’s ok. You need to make peace with that in order for you to learn.

“A lot of young people expect instant success when they enter a job. I am 29 and have had three jobs, two side jobs and numerous certificates. But I decided to create my own future. That is what I did with Lenoma Legal. Some people are meant to be ordinary and some extraordinary,” said this young entrepreneur and Kovsie Alumnus.

On the second day of the graduation ceremonies Dr Imtiaz Sooliman, founder and Director of the Gift of the Givers Foundation, challenged the newly graduated alumni to be carriers of hope for Africa. “We need people of skill, spirituality and heart,” he said.

“How do you want others to believe in you if you don’t believe in yourself? We South Africans, we can make things happen. Believe in yourself,” he said.

“The best science you can do is for others. The moment you achieve that, you mean something to someone,” he said.

Prior to dissolving the congregations, Dr Khotso Mokhele, the Chancellor of the UFS, said: “It has taken hard work, commitment, dedication, to walk across the stage. You deserve all of that.”

Interesting facts of the graduation
Among the graduates at these ceremonies was former Miss World 2014, Rolene Strauss. She received a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery Degree.

The Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences is also very proud of the first group of BAgric students who graduated on the Agricultural College Programme. The eight agriculture students all received the Bachelor of Agriculture degree, majoring in Agricultural Management.

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