The Durban University of Technology (DUT) School Engagement Project in collaboration with the DUT Sports Administration unit hosted a successful two-day Sports Tournament at the Steve Biko campus sports field on Saturday, 29 July 2023 and Sunday, 30 July 2023.

Taking part in the tournament were DUT’s seven partner schools namely: Overport Secondary, Bechet High, Sastri College, Durban Girls Secondary, Centenary Secondary, Hunt Road Secondary and Sparks Estate Secondary. The schools competed against each other playing soccer, netball and e-sport.

Project Manager of the DUT School Engagement Project, Ms Berenice de La Croix said that the Sports Tournament is one of the pillars of the DUT School Engagement Project and their partner for the tournament is the DUT Sports Administration unit.

“The School Engagement Project is housed in the Advancement and Alumni Relations unit at DUT. We have many valued partners throughout DUT and also external partners. We are hosting this sports tournament to give the kids an opportunity to have fun, release stress, and socialize with learners from other schools in the fresh air and sunshine (without devices). They learn so many important life skills including how to be part of a team and how to play fair,” explained de La Croix.

Announcing the winners was the DUT Sport Coordinator, Mpumelelo Shangase, who began by thanking all the teams for participating in the tournament. He congratulated the winners for their commitment to the tournament and for striving for excellence. Handing out the medals and trophies was the DUT School Engagement Project Manager, Ms Berenice de La Croix, and Mr Bongani Yengwa, Head of DUT Sports Administration unit.

The winners were:

• The winning male soccer team was Bechet High School, winning 5-4 against Hunt Road Secondary School.
• Leading in the female soccer match was Durban Girls Secondary School who won 2-0 against Bechet High School.
• The best netball team was Overport Secondary School who won 6-4 against Durban Girls Secondary School.

E-sport winners were as follows:

Males

• 1st-Iviwe Zwezwe (Hunt Road Secondary School).
• 2nd-Mondesi Gavinya (Sastri College)

Females

• 1st-Yusrah Ismail (Centenary Secondary School).
• 2nd-Ayra Mothichund (Sastri College).

Overport Secondary School’s netball team.

The Overport Secondary School netball captain, Zizo Gaqa (18) from South Beach, Durban, expressed her excitement on her team winning the netball category. Gaqa, who is currently in matric, stated that the team did not expect to win against Durban Girls Secondary School since it had beat them in the first round.

“I cannot believe that we won, we are very happy. We learnt from our mistakes in the previous game, and we improved our game. During last year’s Sports Tournament, we didn’t do well. We lost and we went back to school heart broken. This year, we wanted to make sure that we returned to school with a victory. Well done to all the team members for their dedication to the game and ensuring that we win. Thank you, DUT, for allowing us a chance to showcase our talents in sport and for allowing us to have fun in the process,” said Gaqa who plans to enroll for her Bachelor of Sport Science and Management at DUT next year (2024).

Durban Girls Secondary’s female soccer team.

Representing the winning female soccer team was Asanda Shandu (17) from Newlands East. She was the soccer captain for the Durban Girls Secondary School and was happy to have scored the two winning goals for her team. Shandu revealed that the win would not be possible without discipline and team effort on the field. Shandu is currently in matric, and she plans to study Law next year and her second option is enrolling for the Diploma in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) at DUT.

A grade 10 learner at Bechet High School, Jordan Jackson (16) from Sydenham, was part of the winning male soccer team. He was ecstatic that his team managed to win for the second time in a row. Jackson said the other teams must watch out for them next year as they would be back to win once again.

Passing her congratulatory remarks to her team being crowned champions, the Principal of Bechet High School, Ms Abbie Young, said it was a phenomenal experience to see her team hold the trophy in their hands. She highlighted that the team desired to win, and they trained extensively for this tournament.

“Our girls were phenomenal. They did very well; I believe that with more training they will definitely take this trophy next time round. They missed a few opportunities, but I believe they were the best team. We thank DUT for encouraging the learners to be involved in sports, and also giving them a chance to collaborate with other learners and create new friendships,” added Ms Young.

The winning teams left DUT in high spirits ready to show off their medals and trophies to their parents and fellow learners at school.

Pictured: Bechet High School male soccer team who were crowned champions at the DUT Sports Tournament. 

Simangele Zuma