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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.

News Archive

Statement on protest at the UFS

2005-03-04

Following a protest by student and non-student organisations today, the management of the University of the Free State (UFS) would like to place the following facts on record:

1. There is a well-documented process underway to further transform the UFS. At the official opening of the UFS on 4 February 2005 , the Rector and Vice-chancellor, Prof Frederick Fourie, announced that the UFS would draft a comprehensive Transformation Plan to guide the next phase of transformation at the institution.

The UFS appeals to student formations, staff associations, trade unions and other role-players to make a constructive input into this Transformation Plan.

The UFS management has been - and always will be - willing to engage with role-players and is prepared to do so even after today’s protest.

2. There is thus no regulation or policy prescription which separates students in hostels according to race.

The reality is that students exercise their freedom of choice as to which hostel they wish to be placed in. This was agreed upon by black and white students in 1997/8.

However, the unintended consequence and practice of this hostel placement policy has been that students themselves have tended to choose to stay in hostels which have over time become black hostels and white hostels.

This is a matter of concern for the management of the UFS as such a situation does not promote interaction across language, cultural and socio-economic groupings of students.

This matter is receiving attention and an intensive consultative process, which will include students, will be launched to review this policy.

The management is convinced that such interaction will enhance the learning experience of all students and sensitise them to the reality of a multicultural South Africa and a multicultural world.

3. No student organisation has been banned from operating at any of the three campuses of the UFS.

In the past few weeks, SASCO, the Young Communist League and the ANC Youth League (ANCYL) have held meetings on all three campuses, namely the Qwaqwa campus, the Vista campus and the main campus.

There are also regular interactions between top management and the leadership of SASCO and the ANCYL on campus.

In fact, the UFS upholds the right of students and staff to associate freely and to organise themselves as they see fit.

The UFS also upholds the rights of staff and students to engage in legal and peaceful protests.

The management however remains committed to discussing issues that affect staff and students in a constructive manner and appeals to student organisations in this case to engage with management.

4. The issues of registration, fees, debt and financial aid are continually monitored, and interventions to assist students are made regularly. To assist as far as possible those academically deserving students who face financial difficulties, the UFS management has put in place a structure called the Monitoring committee that includes management and student representatives.

The purpose of the Monitoring Committee is to review the cases of individual students to determine how best they can be assisted.

This applies to the Qwaqwa campus, the Vista campus and the main campus.

It is generally the case that students who perform academically will not have any difficulty in obtaining financial assistance. However, according to the requirements of National Student Financial Scheme, students who perform poorly will have difficulty in obtaining such assistance.

5. With regard to student governance, the process to institute an inclusive Central Student Representative Council (SRC), on which all three campuses will be equitably represented, was launched in July 2004, and a preliminary constitution has just been drafted. At the same time an inclusive process to review certain elements of the constitution of the main campus SRC was initiated at the end of 2004. This process, which includes all relevant student organisations and structures, is planned to produce an outcome within the next couple of months.

6. There is no policy at the UFS that is based on racism or that discriminates on the basis of the race of students and staff.

As part of the building of a new institutional culture within the broader transformation process, the UFS management is determined to eradicate all elements of racism that may occur on its campuses, and has already instituted inclusive forums on campus to discuss the issue of values and principles for a non-racial university.

Issued by: Mr Anton Fisher
Director: Strategic Communication
Cell: 072 207 8334
Tel: (051) 401-2749
4 March 2005

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