Ayajabula Mthethwa (19), a first-year student and basketball athlete at the Durban University of Technology (DUT), was recently selected to play in the University Sports South Africa (USSA) Female Basketball National team, following her spectacular performance at the 2023 USSA Basketball Championships.
“I feel happy, in fact ecstatic. I was telling my mates that it is shocking that I am a first-year and I am already getting selected amongst other University students. Honestly, happiness depends upon us, and I have truly worked hard to be where I am today,” she said.
She plays for a basketball club called KZN Sparks. It is still a newly introduced club that has amazing players, and she also plays for the uMgungundlovu District in the Salga Games.
In 2019 when she was doing her grade 9, she was selected to represent the U15 KwaZulu-Natal Basketball team.
“It was my first time being selected for any sporing code. We played well and ended up in 4th position in all provinces. That year I got recognised as a good player, even though I was still young and had not reached my full potential,” she alluded.
Mthethwa was born in the beautiful capital city of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg in Bisley. She attended Longmarket Girls School, Pietermaritzburg Girls High School and now she is doing her Diploma in Fine Arts and Jewellery Design at DUT. She joined DUT Sport this year (2023).
Basketball was not Mthethwa’s first passion. She grew up playing both netball and basketball and that did not stop her from pursuing both sporting codes. When she got to DUT, she could not play both because the practice times clashed, then she decided to play basketball instead of netball. Nevertheless, she does not regret the decision of pursuing basketball.
DUT Sport Administration’s mission is to assist students balance their academics and their social lives.
“My initial goal was to become a professional netball player but now I want to play basketball professionally but not in South Africa. I think international basketball has more to offer, and I think it would be wonderful to showcase my talent and skills internationally,” shared Mthethwa.
Sharing her congratulatory remarks, DUT Basketball Sports Officer, Takalani Mfamadi said Mthethwa has demonstrated to other players that anything is possible to make it to the national teams, if they put their hearts into it. She found it remarkable that Mthethwa is a first-year student but has already managed to get this big.
As part of the DUT principles and ENVISION2030 strategy of creating a distinctive education, living, and learning environment, Mfamadi highlighted Mthethwa’s performance as of being of sheer commitment and excellence.
Pictured: Ayajabula Mthethwa.
Sinethemba Njoko
