SAMKELO MAVUSO HITS A BRACE, AS GA-RANKUWA CAMPUS SHINE AT TUT AWARDS!
By AKASIA EXPRESS SPORTS REPORTER
The Tshwane University of Technology’s (TUT) Ga-Rankuwa Campus celebrated a new generation of sporting stars on 30 September when the campus hosted its 2026 Sport Awards, recognising student-athletes whose performances have brought distinction to the institution throughout the season.
The awards ceremony, held at Shai Shai Hills, brought together athletes, coaches, technical staff and members of the university community to celebrate achievements both on the sporting field and in the classroom.
This year’s ceremony placed a strong emphasis on the wide-ranging achievements of TUT student-athletes, with recognition given to students who earned regional, provincial and national colours, as well as those who participated at international level.
The university also recognised students who demonstrated excellence academically while competing in sport, reinforcing the importance of balancing sporting commitments with education.
MAVUSO TAKES CENTRE STAGE AT EXCELLENCE AWARDS!
One of the biggest winners of the evening was Samkelo Mavuso, who walked away with two of the night’s major individual honours.
Mavuso was named Sportsman of the Year as well as Sports Star of the Year, making him one of the standout performers of the 2026 sporting season at the Ga-Rankuwa Campus.
His double recognition underlines the impact he made during the year and places his name among the campus’s leading sporting performers.
The Sportswoman of the Year award went to Ofentse Madi, who was recognised for her contribution and achievements during the season.
TSETSEWE NAMED NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR!
The awards also made room for emerging talent, with Mpho Tsetsewe receiving the Newcomer of the Year award.
The recognition highlights the importance of identifying and nurturing new talent within TUT’s sporting structures.
For student-athletes beginning their university sporting careers, the award provides recognition that their performances are already making an impact and that they have the potential to become future leaders of the institution’s sporting programmes.
EXCELLENCE IN SPORT AND ACADEMICS!
TUT also recognised Khanyisile Imaan Jass as the Best Academic Student Athlete.
The award is particularly significant because university athletes face the demanding task of combining training, competition and travel with academic responsibilities.
Jass’s recognition demonstrates that sporting success does not have to come at the expense of academic achievement.
The university has increasingly emphasised the development of well-rounded student-athletes, with sport forming part of a broader student-development environment.
FOOTBALL TEAM NAMED TEAM OF THE YEAR!
The Football Team was named Team of the Year, providing recognition to an entire squad rather than an individual performer.
The award acknowledges the collective effort required to compete successfully — from players and coaches to technical and support staff.
Team awards are particularly important in university sport because success depends on discipline, teamwork and consistency throughout a season.
COACHES AND TECHNICAL STAFF RECOGNISED!
The awards also acknowledged the people working behind the scenes to develop and support TUT’s athletes.
Matome Masetla was named Coach of the Year, while Ivy Masebe received recognition as part of the technical team.
Their awards highlight the critical role played by coaching and technical personnel in preparing student-athletes for competition.
Behind every successful athlete is a network of coaches, technical staff, administrators and support personnel who help create the environment in which sporting talent can flourish.
Beyond the major awards, the 2026 ceremony recognised student-athletes who achieved regional, provincial, national and international participation during the season.
These achievements reflect the breadth of talent emerging from TUT’s Ga-Rankuwa Campus and the opportunities available to students competing at different levels.
TUT has established a strong sporting identity, with its student-athletes participating in a variety of sporting codes while also pursuing their academic qualifications.
The university’s sport programmes have previously produced athletes and coaches who have progressed to provincial, national and international platforms.
The 2026 awards therefore served not only as a celebration of the year’s achievements but also as an opportunity to inspire the next generation of TUT athletes.
MORE THAN JUST TROPHIES… BRIDGE BETWEEN COMPETITIONS!
The significance of the Sport Awards extends beyond the presentation of trophies.
For many young athletes, university sport provides an important bridge between school-level competition and higher-level sport. It gives students access to structured coaching, competition and opportunities to represent their institution.
At the same time, TUT’s recognition of academic performance reinforces the message that student-athletes are expected to develop both inside and outside the sporting arena.
The combination of the Best Academic Student Athlete award with the sporting categories demonstrates the value placed on producing graduates who can excel in multiple areas.
As the evening came to a close, the message from the awards was clear: the achievements of TUT’s student-athletes are a source of pride for the Ga-Rankuwa Campus.
From established stars such as Samkelo Mavuso, to emerging talent represented by Mpho Tsetsewe, and the coaches and technical personnel supporting them, the 2026 awards showcased the people contributing to the campus’s sporting culture.
The major award recipients were:
- Newcomer of the Year: Mpho Tsetsewe
- Best Academic Student Athlete: Khanyisile Imaan Jass
- Sportsman of the Year: Samkelo Mavuso
- Sportswoman of the Year: Ofentse Madi
- Sports Star of the Year: Samkelo Mavuso
- Team of the Year: Football Team
- Coach of the Year: Matome Masetla
- Technical Team: Ivy Masebe
The Ga-Rankuwa Campus can now look back on the 2026 sporting season with pride, having celebrated not only those who lifted trophies, but an entire community of student-athletes, coaches and technical personnel who contributed to another year of sporting excellence.
