The Department of Sports Studies at DUT recently held their annual awards ceremony where the best performing students were awarded for their hard work and dedication.

The awards were held at the DUT Hotel School Restaurant, Ritson Campus, where an air of excitement amongst students and proud parents flowed.

The annual awards day is now regarded as a tradition in the Department as well as others within DUT.

Guest speaker; Rohini Naidoo, KZN Sports and Recreation Department HoD, narrated her journey and spoke about the trials and tribulations endured. ”I was a sports and educational activist in the midst of apartheid. The one fascinating thing was how extremely established the sport structure was. It was through sports that we overcame apartheid mainly through the contribution of volunteers,” she said.

She said that the South African government has offered a platform of diverse sports activities to the public; outdoor gyms, netball clinics and more.

Lunga Ntuli, a DUT alumni gave an inspiring speech which left attendees the in awe. Ntuli studied Sport Management at DUT, Sport Psychology at UNISA and is now on a FIFA Sport Management Program at NMMU.

The 26 year-old published Love vs Sport in 2011 and Izimpande Zempumelelo, which was published in 2012. He manages Alebag Sports, a company which focuses on player management, sport motivation and peak performance programs, sports development projects at early childhood development level and CSI Strategic planning. Whilst still a student at DUT, Ntuli won the first ever G Sport Award which is given to males promoting women’s sports in South Africa

– Philiswa Xulu

Pictured: The DUT Sports Studies Department awardees.