Three students from the Durban University of Technology have been selected to play in South Africa’s national sports teams competing in major championships.

Zamandosi Cele, 21, and Charlotte Mshengu, 23, made the final Banyana Banyana squad that will play in the African Women’s Championship in Equatorial Guinea. The Championship kicks off on 28 October 2012.

Cele, a second-year DUT Public Management student, was part of the Banyana Banyana squad that played at the 2012 London Olympics while Mshengu, an S2 level Civil Engineering student will play for the team for the first time.
“I am extremely happy to represent my country. This is the first time that I am playing for the national team. The selections were difficult, but I got a lot of help from Zama (Zamandosi Cele) and other players from KwaZulu-Natal who kept me motivated”, said Mshengu, who has high expectations for her team.

“The squad is highly motivated and fit. We’ve been training hard and we know what we are here for. I’m confident that we will reach the semi finals”, said Mshengu who hails from Imbali township, PMB.

Cele said the Banyana Banyana team, which was eliminated early in the Olympics, “learned a lot” and should do well in these games. “We are fit and ready”, said Cele.

Mike Mbatha, DUT Sports Officer said Cele and Mshengu’s selection into the national team is a form of motivation for other students at the University and also serves to show that students enrolled at DUT are afforded golden opportunities.

“Charlotte loves football, she’s fully dedicated to the sport as well as training while Zama is a good listener and is also extremely dedicated”, said Mbatha.

The third student, Nana Khomo, a second-year Sport Management student has been chosen to play for the National Netball Squad in the World Youth Netball Championships 2013. The games will take place in Glasgow, Scotland, in August.

Khomo started playing netball at the age of 12; all the while thinking that she was playing for fun and never knowing that her favourite past time would one day elevate her to greater heights.

Khomo understands the responsibilities and hard work attached to her selection. She trains almost every day and also works hard on her studies. She says even though it is difficult at times, the Sport Management course is a good structure to accommodate students who get opportunities such as hers.

Alan Khan, DUT Senior Director of Corporate Affairs said, “We are very proud of our sports stars. Being selected to represent the country is a fantastic honour for our students, their families and for DUT. We wish our students success as they pull on our national colours.”

A fourth DUT student, Langalethu Mbele, a first year Public Relations student, is waiting in the wings after being called up to a training camp for the National Basketball Team. He will be notified soon.

–Sinegugu Ndlovu
Caption: DUT students Zamandosi Cele and Charlotte Mshengu who will play for Banyana Banyana in the African Women’s Championship in Equatorial Guinea share a light moment during a training session.