Hillbrow has gained a reputation over the years for its diversity, violence and decay. But although its streets lie in disarray, some residents have created sanctuaries from the dysfunction.
I sit quietly in the passenger seat of the Uber. We pass a cement monolith along the steep hill; its walls charred to coal. The midday sun hesitantly peeks beyond the hollow sockets where windows should be, vaguely outlining scattered rubble in the meek light. A bright pink top drifts across my eyeline as I peer into the darkness. Glancing up, I see a line of clothes dangling over the edge of a third-floor windowsill with an array of blankets draped across the bare building – weary eyelids over an emaciated face.
Reaching the bottom of the hill, we turn into Abel Road, which connects Berea to Hillbrow. The Uber driver breaks the silence that had so far prevailed. “But why are you going to Hillbrow my friend?!” Last month, in that same area, a clip went viral of an e-hailing driver being murdered in an attack that provoked MMC for public safety Mgcini Tshwaku to vow in a media statement that: “High-density operations are coming in Hillbrow that has been a den of drug dealers and thugs.” As I reach my destination the driver warns: “Be careful, here they’ll kill you for fun.”
The Hillbrow of old: cocktails and cafes
Hillbrow was once a buzzing cosmopolitan area, known as a cultural hub during the apartheid era. It was iconic for its vibrant nightlife, array of hotels and restaurants, progressive attitudes and popularity among the youth. With manicured parks, spotless streets and modern high-rise buildings, Hillbrow resembled an African Manhattan. As pass laws and the Group Areas Act were relaxed thanks to growing civil unrest in the 1980s, Hillbrow became one of Johannesburg’s first deracialised zones.
But as more black residents flocked to the suburb, its white residents fled, blaming an increase of crime and the area’s deterioration on the growing black residency. As more buildings emptied, landlords exploited the situation by allowing scores of people to move in at low rates, paving the way for overcrowding and the further decay of infrastructure and resulting in an exodus of the remaining middle-class population. With the prospect of cheap accommodation in the city centre, Hillbrow became a preferred port of entry for foreign nationals and economic migrants from across South Africa. By the late 1990s Hillbrow was in a state of severe decline, noted for a lack of basic service delivery, decaying infrastructure and overcrowded living conditions. Crime and prostitution became lucrative in this densely populated suburb. This set the stage for the Hillbrow of today.
Hillbrow today: violence and decay
The streets of Hillbrow are filled with idle youth. Photo: Kabir Jugram
“If these guys [the municipality] did clean-up operations maybe 20 to 30 years ago this place would be Manhattan… town was a beautiful place!” bemoans Faizel Khan, a shop owner who has been in Hillbrow for 35 years. He leans on the entrance to his clothing store, smoking a cigarette. “The whole infrastructure is rotten!” he yells, stabbing his cigarette towards a puddle of green sludge across the street. “Broken drains, missing manhole covers and stealing of metal… every structure that had metal in the street is gone!” This leads to a rant about theft and drugs plaguing the streets.
Overhearing our conversation, Khan’s mother approaches and cuts him off mid-sentence: “They murdered my son here, right in front of my eyes! The police didn’t even take a statement from me.” A silence grows as Khan finishes his cigarette. He flicks it into the street, takes a deep breath and stares off into the distance. “When I was a youngster here, I could smell the Milky Lane in Esselen Street. That’s how smart this place was.” He lights another cigarette as I leave.
According to the South African Police Service’s first-quarter report for the 2024-25 financial year, Hillbrow ranks 26th nationally and fourth in Gauteng for reported murders as of June 2024. It also has the sixth-highest number of common robberies and the 18th-highest number of armed robberies reported in the country.
“Community members don’t trust the police. They work with syndicates in the area. Even when you give information to them, they arrest you to collect money and later disclose to the criminals who gave them the information…” claims Berea ward counsellor Phineas Madisha. “Those who serve on community policing forums only protect their personal interests.” Attempts to reach the Hillbrow counsellor were unsuccessful.
It is the middle of the day and groups of boys no older than 20 lurk on every other street corner. “They are staring you down to see if they can rob you. If you look away, that’s how they know you’re scared,” says Delron Buthelezi as we walk down Pretoria Street. He works in Hillbrow and has frequented the suburb since the early 2000s. “They have nothing else to do – no job, no school, nothing”.
As we walk up the street, cars edge forward from all four directions of an intersection, dipping into crater-like potholes peppering the road. There is not a stop sign or robot in sight. “I used to come watch movies here,” Buthelezi says, pointing at a faded billboard protruding from a block of flats. In chipped paint across a grid of Perspex it reads: ‘Movie World: always better on our big reen’. A sheet of Perspex is missing from the centre. A woman stares at me from the cracked window behind it, her child pressed tightly to her chest.
In the wake of the Usindiso building fire, which claimed 77 lives in August last year, the City of Johannesburg launched a series of inspections into “hijacked” buildings across the city. One of the buildings inspected was Vannin Court, on the corner of Pietersen and Quartz streets. The City declared it a disaster waiting to happen.
The building was initially raided in 2019. A City of Johannesburg media statement issued at the time read: “More than 300 people live in overcrowded conditions in the decaying building, which smells of urine and animal carcasses and has over time turned into a health hazard, unfit for human habitation.” Its residents simply moved back in a few days after their evictions.
“Most hijacked properties are owned by the government and sectional-title schemes which collapsed because a majority of body corporate members have left those properties. The government is also sitting with the problem of providing alternative accommodation in order to evict people,” Madisha claims.
“It’s no longer the Hillbrow of ’96 – now they don’t respect human life!” vents Johr Thouhakali, swatting wildly at a fly nestled on his stack of glistening red tomatoes. The air is a stifling cocktail filled with the sounds of whistling vendors and wailing taxis. The aroma of fresh produce tussles with the stench of raw sewage.
Thouhakali has been living in Hillbrow since 1996. He remembers days gone by, when he played soccer with other youths and walked carefree in the early hours of the morning.
“Maybe in the kasi [there’s community], but not here… when you suffer, you suffer on your own.” He peers at me as he rants, squeezing my shoulder. “In one unit [of a flat] there’s four rooms… In the lounge there’s two families staying there, separated by a curtain.” He speaks about a man in his building who cooks fresh food every day to lure hungry children into his apartment. He then mutters something about a pregnant 13-year-old. “‘I cannot be giving without receiving’… That’s the mentality here.” Thouhakali is staring at the sun now, his grip on my shoulder loosened. A fly squats comfortably on his shiny red tomatoes.
Vice, chaos, business and youth intermingle in the streets of Hillbrow on a daily basis. Photo: Kabir Jugram
No place for kids
Eyes lock on me on every block I pass on Pretoria Street. “Ey Boy! Show me that camera,” shouts a man sitting on a plastic chair. As Buthelezi and I march through the street, he comes across a friend just off the main road. Trolleys holding big pots of rice line the one side of the road; the other is coated in a colourful layer of rubbish. Four teenagers huddle over a rolling paper on the curb.
“My friend wants to ask you about Hillbrow, he’s a journalist” says Buthelezi to a Rastafarian standing over one of the trolleys. “He must put that camera away then,” the Rasta replies. As I do, one of the boys from across the streets heads towards me. “What are you shooting?!” he yells, not even checking for cars. Within seconds he reaches for my neck, pulling the camera. “Go take pictures of the white man, he’s a model!” Buthelezi tries to prize him off me. “I’m not that model!”
I elbow the boy in the stomach and break free. Buthelezi and his friend now stand between us. He glares at me with bloodshot eyes and raw flesh flaring from his lips. As I meet his glare, he quickly averts his eyes. A hand taps my shoulder from behind: “Just go man. You’ll die for nothing.”
John Dube sits under a tent in a plaza, promoting funeral coverage. He has been living in Hillbrow for more than 10 years, but has sent his children to live with their grandparents outside the city. For him, the crime, alienation and trauma of life in Hillbrow is overwhelming. “You will fail them [your kids]. It’s better you take them somewhere else so they can see a life different from this one – it’s not favourable for growing kids,” Dube says.
Raising Champions
But children do live here. As I walk down Ockerse Street, a schoolgirl waddles up the road holding her little sister’s hand, both in uniform. The smaller girl trips and lands on her face. She begins to wail and a lady selling sweets on the sidewalk gives her a packet of chips to calm her tears.
In a research paper on the importance of social cohesion, Gillian Eagle, professor of psychology at the University of the Witwatersrand, speaks about continuous traumatic stress. This refers to environments in which trauma (in the form of physical and structural violence) is part of daily life. In such environments, the source of trauma is unknown, because anyone in the area is a possible threat. As a result, constant paranoia fosters either social withdrawal or aggressive personas as a defence mechanism.
Violence can be repurposed towards positive growth through communal spaces such as sports clubs. Photo: Kabir Jugram
Both Eagle and popular research on urban violence enshrine community spaces as crucial in combating the negative effects of marginal conditions. Communal spaces encourage common goals that deter people from criminality and offer a form of empowerment in conditions that do not allow self-realisation.
Not surprisingly, social cohesion features prominently in South Africa’s policy discourse. The national development plan of 2030 was drafted during the Zuma administration, with the aim of eliminating poverty and inequality by 2030. One of its target areas is the creation of a safe, socially cohesive society in which citizens aspire towards a common goal of upliftment. Thus, it promotes the development of community safety centres to counteract violence and alienation.
George Khosi’s Hillbrow Boxing Club sits at the bottom of Ockerse Street. Across the street lies a freshly trimmed action soccer pitch brimming with children’s laughter. Thanks to the aid of the non-profit organisation Bambisanani Hands of Hope and numerous sponsors in the Hillbrow community, Khosi was able to repurpose an abandoned petrol station into a boxing gym.
George built his gym thanks to the support of non-profit organizations and local sponsors within the Hillbrow community. Photo: Kabir Jugram
As I enter the gym’s courtyard, I am greeted by a line of sniggering children doing jumping jacks. A row of punching bags swings wildly as grown men jab at them. In the boxing ring, a woman shouts instructions at a teenage boy: “Jab, cross, hook!” Khosi is at the entrance sweeping the floor.
George Khosi (pictured on the right) does not just aim to keep kids off the streets. He believes he can breed future champions. Photo: Kabir Jugram
“Welcome home!” he greets me. Khosi was once an aspiring boxer, but his boxing dream died after he was critically injured in a home invasion. He now spends his days coaching local youth in boxing, his goal not just to keep youth off the streets, but also to breed future champions. “In the streets it’s easier to be a gangster… But we give them [the children] a place to be one, to have joy and enjoy boxing,” he says.
For Khosi, sport is the greatest way to resist the dysfunction in the streets. “Sports changes people. If someone can do what I’m doing, it can change people. It’s not about money or [the] government. It’s about ourselves… It’s about love.
George Khosi’s Boxing Gym is a safe space not reserved for boxers alone. Photo: Kabir Jugram
As children giggle and swing at boxing bags, an old man sleeps on a couch. Beside him a schoolboy hunches over his textbook. Two young boys enter the boxing ring and swing wildly at each other until the one knocks the other’s headgear off. He begins to cry, and the other boy embraces him tightly. An older boy arrives and pats him on the shoulders. “You’ll be all right, my boy.”
Discipline, order and respect are a key component of the stability and refuge George’s gym provides. Photos: Kabir Jugram
“Hillbrow’s not only for crime. Champions can come from here”. Photos: Kabir Jugram
A crayon drawing of Khosi’s face is etched into a corner post of the ring. Above it reads: “George is dad.”
“Hillbrow’s not only for crime. Champions can come out of here!” Khosi tells me in his gruff voice. The twinkle in his one good eye shimmers against the sun.
FEATURED IMAGE: Hillbrow has become notorious as a zone of vice, violence and decay. Photo: Kabir Jugram
Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) victories, international trophies and Olympic medals have made being South African a pleasure and tremendous source of pride.
South African pride is soaring, with UFC victories, another Rugby World Cup win and a handful Olympic medals. Dricus Du Plessis’ recent UFC title defense, the Springboks maintaining their world champion status and Tyla’s musical accolades are all examples of how South Africans are making their presence known on the global stage.
On Sunday, August 18, 2024, South African UFC fighter Dricus Du Plessis retained his UFC Middleweight Championship by submitting Israel Adesanaya. Seven months prior to that, Du Plessis became the first South African UFC champion after he defeated Sean Strickland for the championship.
These recent triumphs build on a wave of victories that all started just less than a year ago when the Springboks won back-to-back World Cups by defeating New Zealand in 2023. Euphoria was injected into the air as South Africans celebrated. The victory showcased that despite the challenges we face as a nation, South Africans can achieve on a world stage.
In the same year, the global music stage was set alight by South African popstar Tyla, who released her breakout hit Water. The single gained Tyla worldwide recognition, receiving a Grammy and a BET award in 2024; achievements which are unprecedented for South African performers. Tyla continues to display her South African pride and has made it easy for her fans to relate with and adore her.
These accomplishments, however, are not enough for us to turn a blind eye to the issues that we face as a nation. South Africa continues to experience high levels of crime as well as high unemployment, with there being an average of 45% youth unemployment. South Africa has a rich history of inequality and oppression, and the longstanding effects of these detriments continue to affect the modern lived experience of South Africans.
So, the question is why could anybody be proud of being a South African? Racism has been a longstanding component of the nation and there continues to be unequal distributions of wealth; why on earth would I be proud of being from such a nation? The answer for me is simple – because it’s my nation of birth and I have no choice but to be proud of it.
Despite the issues that the nation faces, South Africa is made of a variety of beautiful cultures and languages that give us our unique identity. Our differences are our strength in many cases.
2024 has been a great indication of the rollercoaster of emotions that South Africans must endure. In the month of May, the National Elections saw South Africans vote for a new government, resulting in a national coalition government for the first time in its history. This, coupled with Bafana Bafana’s third place victory in the AFCON tournament and the South African Olympic team receiving six medals all make up for an eventful year for South Africans.
I am a proud South African and I am a firm believer that our nation has so much potential to fight for. In the face of challenges and obstacles, I am confident that South Africa will find ways to prevail, and I encourage every South African to share the same belief. We, as South Africans, are not allowing the ghosts of our pasts to affect our present but are rather focused on building a better future for South Africa.
FEATURED IMAGE: South African flag reworked into DNA helix. Photo: Reddit/@lwazilwapheshey
Against all odds, a talented young footballer scores a deal with Premier Soccer League (PSL) club.
In a remarkable tale of resilience, Sifiso Mazibuko, a 20-year-old student from Wits University has signed a contract with Chippa United FC.
This significant milestone signifies the start of Mazibuko’s professional football journey, a dream brought to life by unwavering determination and grit. “I feel blessed to be granted this opportunity, to kickstart my career and represent this big team,” says Mazibuko.
Mazibuko’s eyes shone with pride and determination as he signed with the Chilli Boys earlier this month. His journey is not only a personal victory, but also emphasizes the excellence of the SuperSport United DSTV Diski Challenge (DDC) academy in nurturing professional athletes.
Despite the undeniable appeal of professional football, Mazibuko is dedicated to his education. Juggling his academic responsibilities with his sporting endeavors has been both challenging and fulfilling. He attributes his ability to manage this demanding period to the strong support system around him.
“Wits University welcomed me with open arms; it felt like home even before I started,” Mazibuko recalls. “Balancing my studies in the first year was challenging, but after the Varsity Cup, I found a way to manage both successfully.”
Hailing from Kwa-Zulu Natal, his affection for the beautiful game was clear from a young age according to his father, Sibusiso Mazibuko. “You deserve it my son, go out and show the world what you can offer on the field,” says Sibusiso. Football was more than just a sport for him; it became an all-encompassing obsession.
Sifiso Mazibuko in action for Wits University. Photo: Supplied/Lindy Makhanyile
While playing for the SuperSport United DDC team, the winger’s knack for coordinating attacks, generating scoring chances, and motivating his teammates set him apart, according to Roscoe Krieling, Mazibuko’s coach at SuperSport DDC.
Guided by seasoned coaches and supported by equally skilled peers, he refined his abilities and grew into a versatile footballer. His outstanding skills and leadership quickly drew the attention of the Chilli Boys scouts.
“He’s got real natural potential,” says Roscoe Krieling, Mazibuko’s coach at SuperSport DDC. “Good luck to him; it’s always positive when a player moves on and gets the opportunity to perform and showcase their abilities at the highest level.”
With his move to the PSL, Mazibuko is poised to make waves in South African football.
His ultimate goal is to play professional football in Europe, a dream that will not only bring pride to his family, but also inspire future generations to overcome obstacles and achieve greatness through hard work and determination.
FEATURED IMAGE: Sifiso Mazibuko signs for Chippa United FC. Photo: Supplied/Chippa United FC.
In a tense atmosphere, the away team dominated Braamfontein Centre FC with a 7-0 victory in the Wits internal league.
On Monday, July 22, the Zulu Society FC started the second half of the season exquisitely by dominating Braamfontein Centre FC at Wits Sturrock Pack Stadium.
The game began with both sides pushing hard and applying pressure in each other’s defensive third.
However, just minutes into the first half, the tension was quickly broken when Zulu Society FC made their presence felt by effortlessly scoring their first three goals. This disrupted the opposition as players struggled to regain momentum and composure.
The first few minutes of the second half were openly contested. For a moment, it appeared as though Braamfontein Centre FC was poised to pull off an incredible turnaround.
But, despite generating multiple chances, their lack of structure and communication created space for Zulu Society FC to exploit gaps and ultimately left the home team vulnerable. The predictability of some goals exposed the Braamies’ defensive flaws.
The chants and cheers from the spectators showed unity, revealing that one team arrived at the game with a winning mindset. Each goal was celebrated as if the opponents might still fight back, but as the outcome became inevitable, the cheers grew quieter.
After the final whistle, Wandile Zulu, the Zulu Society FC coach, told Wits Vuvuzela that his team remained “focused” and “not complacent” in their approach to the game.
Zulu Society FC coach, Wandile Zulu briefs the squad about their overall performance just after the game ended. Photo: Salim Nkosi
Braamfontein Centre FC remains second to last in the league, with a record of eight games, seven losses, and one draw.
Nicholas Gudwana, the coach of Braamfontein Center FC, said: “I don’t want to say we performed poorly, but the team still needs to work very hard. This is a new team that was introduced last year, so we are in the process of building.”
As the dust settled after the match, Zulu Society FC climbed to 6th place in the first division of the Wits Internal Football League, while the home side continues to linger in the bottom half of the table.
FEATURED IMAGE: Braamfontein Centre FC restructuring its game plan during half time. Photo: Salim Nkosi
A group of young amateur boxers get to test their strength in a grueling competition filled with bloody noses and technical knockouts.
On Saturday, April 13, 2024, a white-collar boxing event was held at Lightweights Gym in Northfield, Johannesburg, giving promising and inexperienced boxers a platform to showcase their skills in front of an audience.
Boxers squaring off in intense fight. Photo: Siyanda Mthethwa.
A group of local boxers came together to create a competition that allowed beginner boxers, who had not competed in official fights, to go up against one another. Ten fights were contested throughout the evening, each one consisting of three, two-minute rounds.
It was a high-adrenaline competition with a couple of fights resulting in a Technical Knock-Out (TKO) which is when a referee stops the match due to one of the fighters being unable to continue fighting or defending themselves.
Lusanda Komanisi, former IBO World Champion and multiple-title holder, was one of the organizers of the prestigious event. When speaking about the importance of it, he said: “We wanted to put fun in it and make people be able to watch boxing and make them scream as much as they want to.”
He added that the event made him proud because of the positive shift away from watching professional fighting as it was able “to put amateurs [in the ring] and give them a chance to shine.”
One of the favourites of the night was Wits graduate, Nota Jiyane, who sparred against Third-year Wits student, Kgothatso Swandle, and won the duel. Jiyane, who was in high spirits following his victory reflected “The fight went to plan, nothing out of the ordinary, you know. I just stuck to the plan that the coaches gave me, it went well”.
Jiyane says the sport is personal for him, “I used to be bullied back when I was a kid, and this was me stepping out of my comfort zone. So, I’m not going to stop now.”
He also believes small platforms like this are where untapped talent lies, “we can be known as the hotspot for one of the best fighters in the world and I believe that we can do that just by doing these little events,”.
Tshepiso Fambe, a spectator, praised the event for bringing people together and allowing people to “showcase their talent”.
Nevertheless, the event was a success, and potential fighters can look forward to the next event which will be hosted in July, giving them ample time to prepare.
FEATURED IMAGE: Two boxers fighting at white-collar event. Photo: Siyanda Mthethwa.
Wits university’s advanced tennis team played in the intra-Wits club championship, pitting the very best against one another in a fast-paced tournament.
Seth Thorne (21), honours in journalism student and Wits Vuvuzela journalist, put down his pen and notebook on May 13, 2023 and picked up his tennis racquet to compete and win the internal championship.
It was a long way to the top for players, needed to play and win eight matches to get to the final. The semi-finals saw Thorne beat Ciaran Swartz with a score of 6-1,6-2 while Roberto Da Silva beat Salmaan Bhatti, who withdrew his second set as he was suffering from fatigue and the overall score was 6-0.
Bozzoli tennis court was the stage for the David and Goliath battle between finalists Thorne and Da Silva, Wits’ number one player on 2022.
In the final, Thorne won the first set of the finals, 4-3, after long and good rallies. Da Silva fought back in the second set, which ended in a tiebreak.
The tiebreaker was short, but filled with intense saves from either side of the court. Thorne ended the set with a win, with a score of 6-4,4-6,10-6.
Thorne played defensively and minimized unforced errors to ensure consistent wins set after set. He also made sure that he gets every ball back with good positioning so that he puts his opponent under pressure to make mistakes, which worked in his favour.
Roberto Da Villa throwing the ball in the air, about to serve his opponent at in the tournament.
Da Silva said, “it was nice playing with Seth for a change. The game was very intense, and emotionally and mentally challenging, especially playing the icebreaker”.
The champion claimed prioritising fun over winning was the key to success, “I was able to play so much better” in that mindset he said.
Spectator, Neo Matutuane said, “The games were interesting, some of the scores don’t reflect how close the matches were.”
“What I’ve seen today from the players is courage, strength, determination, and resilience. Our finalists are dedicated club members and have shown that to preparations leading to the tournament,” stated the chairperson of the team, Connel Manhica.
Chidimma Ugwauanyi and Connel Manhica at the award giving ceremony for finalists.
Ciaran Swartz playing for semi-finals.
Finalists, Roberto Da Villa and Seth Thorne on their break.
Jesse Platt, the only lady that played against men in the tournament.
Family mmbers watching the match and cheering.
Swartz and Thorne sealing their match with a handshake.
Moosa Patel about to receive the tennis ball to serve his opponent.
Thorne about to receive the ball and serve his opponent.
FEATURED IMAGE: Thorne after getting a point in the finals. Photo: Boitumelo Masalesa
The club launched an open climbing event to attract climbers and non-climbers alike, to try their hand at indoor rock climbing.
On Tuesday, May 2, the mountain club opened the indoor-climbing wall to all in the launch of a tournament that is open to the public, but the public didn’t show.
The bouldering league is taking place for the first time in three years at the multi-purpose sports hall on Wits main campus. According to Uwais Khan (22), the administrative head of the club, the event used to be an annual occurrence. This changed at the onset of the pandemic of 2020, preventing large events from happening by law.
Wits Mountain club members and alumni climb the indoor rock-climbing wall in the open boulder league on May 2 at the multi-purpose sports hall. Photo: Kimberley Kersten
The turnout for the event was dismal, with only a handful of Wits alumni joining the club in facing the wall. Khan said it is to be expected, “It’s the first event after the long weekend,” but he is optimistic that the numbers will improve as the tournament goes on. The league will continue twice a week for four weeks, entries remain will reopen until the 11th of May for those who want to win prizes (vouchers to City Rock climbing center).
The event costs visitors R50 to enter per evening, funds raised will go to the Dawson fund, a Wits fund which pays for expenses for those interested in climbing but who cannot afford it. “The major goal is to increase the diversity of climbing” said Jonothan Faller (21), chair of the club.
The club also opened the event up to everyone to build back the support for the sport which has been waning for a few years now. Faller said that the club hopes to hold a national university competition at the end of 2023, which would be the first in “a very long time”.
Bouldering is climbing which does not use protective gear. Faller told Wits Vuvuzela that this type of climbing is made up of complicated courses that don’t reach dizzying heights, but rely on problem solving skills as well as creativity in scaling the wall.
Lea Timmermans (22), a climber from the mountain club, said, “I entered to see how much I’ve improved [since joining the club this year]” and added that it’s an interesting challenge.
A climber prepares to take on the sixth course of the league on Tuesday May 2 at the multi-purpose sports hall. Photo: Kimberley Kersten.
FEATURED IMAGE: A climber chalks up her hands before climbing the indoor wall on May 2 at the multi-purpose sports hall. Photo: Kimberley Kersten.
The 17th Ashraf Lodewyk Memorial Basketball tournament returns with ten more teams vying for the win.
The Wits Bucks (first team) put on a stellar performance in their first Ashraf basketball tournament game on Wednesday afternoon, April 26.
The Wits Bucks faced off against Wanderers Scorpions Omega and led the game comfortably from the beginning with a thrilling win of 67-28 when the final whistle blew.
Scorpions Omega’s Ethan Murray was substituted after committing three fouls in the first half of the game. Assistant coach, Thabo Gumede said that he felt like there was a lack of communication and defence on their end.
Wits Bucks player Jacques Mahanga said, “I feel like their [Scorpions Omega] performance was really good; we didn’t underestimate the team although we knew that we’re not at the same level-we still came out with a lot of intensity, and I love our intensity.”
Wits Bucks player Isira Harisinghe getting ready to strike after being trapped by a Scorpions Omega defender. Photo: Sfundo Parakozov
Wits Bucks fan, Keeyanda Tshipamba said, “It was a very good game for Wits especially in light of their performance in the ICSL internal league, they were not doing so well so this is bringing our spirits up.”
The Bucks are not anticipating easy games especially since the tournament has grown with a total of ten more teams compared to last year’s 30. Teams compete in either the men’s or women’s division, with a further division into four pools (A to D) which will battle it out over the eight-day tournament.
With four more games to play, the Bucks need to secure the top two positions in their pool to compete in the finals on Monday, May 1.
Young Bucks trailing behind
A few courts away, the Wits Young Bucks (the second team) lost 45-55, in their first game against the Midrand Heat Basketball Club.
A game which was meant to be their comeback against UJ Orange Wave on April 26, ushered in a crushing defeat, with a final score of 19-44.
Going into the second half, UJ was leading 22-11 while Wits player Silas Lyuke, was substituted after a clash with the opponents, leading to a leg injury. The UJ side committed a foul against Matoti Buthelezi and was consequently awarded two free throws, but only netting one.
UJ coach, Mandla Ngema said, “We didn’t play well at all, we thought it was gonna be easy playing against a second team.”
Whilst Wits Young Bucks assistant coach, Angelo Quinn said to Wits Vuvuzela, “I felt it was a good game and a good reflection of the [Ashraf] program and it showed that we can compete at a higher level.”
The Young Bucks have three more games to play in their pool (C) and two of them will be played on Saturday, April 29 against Giant Ballers and University of Pretoria 1st.
Wanderers Scorpions omega player, Ethan Murray subbed out after commiting three fouls. Photo: Sfundo ParakozovWanderers Scorpions Omega assistant coach Thabo Gumede taking a peak at the shot clock for the final score. Photo: Sfundo ParakozovWits Bucks players, Lungisa Moussa Ntloko and Uzoma Eze celebrate their victory at the blow of the final whistle. Photo: Sfundo ParakozovWits Bucks player, Tirivashe Gapara greeting his supporters after the match. Photo: Sfundo ParakozovSilas Lyuke and Phemelo Tsogang shocked after an unexpected goal by UJ Waves. Photo: Sfundo Parakozov Wits Bucks players: Tirivashe Gapara, Jacques Mahanga and Chirag Jashi, congratulating each other after their 67-28 win against Wanderers Scorpions Omega. Photo: Sfundo ParakozovPlay-maker Timukudze Mhazo trying to get past Scorpions Omega defender. Photo: Sfundo Parakozov Uzoma Eze preparing for a free throw. Photo: Sfundo Parakozov UJ Orange Wave coach, Mandla Ngema briefing UJ player, Mkhwanazi. Photo: Sfundo ParakozovCaleb Marks tries to hit a slam dunk. Photo: Sfundo Parakozov Wits Young Bucks gathering during half time. Photo: Sfundo Parakozov Noam Fritsch attempting to score before the the final whistle. Photo: Sfundo Parakozov
FEATURE IMAGE: Wits Bucks players: Tirivashe Gapara, Jacques Mahanga and Chirag Jashi, congratulating each other after their 67-28 win against Wanderers Scorpions Omega. Photo: Sfundo Parakozov
The university’s first-team tennis players came out on top in the intra-Wits club championship.
First-team player Loyiso Kole captured his second intra-Wits men’s singles title after defeating teammate Ciaran Swartz 6 –3, 7 –5. His first was in 2021.
With nine total breaks-of-serve between the two, Swartz managed to save three match points, however, Kole converted the fourth with his signature serve-and-volley play. “I could place my volleys well today,” said Kole. “It got to a point where I really counted on them.”
Another first-team player, Justine du-Pont, took the women’s singles title after winning all three of her matches in the round-robin format (everyone plays everyone). Du-Pont captured her second title of the day in the women’s doubles, with teammate Jesse Platt, after defeating Joanne Joseph and Isabella Weber, 6 – 0, 6 – 0.
Women’s singles and doubles champion du-Pont dropped only six games in her four matches. “My forehands and serves were really solid.” she said.
In total, three competitions were run over the weekend of April 1 and 2 by the Wits Tennis Club. Participants consisted of 10 prospective and current first team players. There were several withdrawals of first-team players before the tournament, resulting in smaller draws and cancelled men’s and mixed-doubles matches.
Each match was best of three sets, with the third set being a 10-point tiebreaker. The men’s singles ran as a knockout, with a back draw (loser plays loser). Seven men entered the tournament – with three consecutive wins needed to claim the title.
The men’s final between the two first-team players brought in spectators. Second-year BA student Neo Matutoane described the match as “super exciting”.
Although happy with their overall performance, first-team players indicated that there was room for improvement throughout the course of this year. “We (the team) are going to work very hard this year,” said Kole. Swartz and du-Pont echoed similar sentiments. “We all want to and need to improve,” said Swartz, and Du-Pont added that “There is a lot of hard work ahead of us.”
The tournament is aimed at fundraising ahead of the club’s first appearance at the University Sport South Africa’s (USSA’s) A section in six years, after their performance in USSA’s B division in December 2022, hosted by North-West University in Potchefstroom. This year’s event will be hosted at Rhodes University in the Eastern Cape.
Head coach Sylvester Zungu, who joined the club in 2020, aims to get Wits to be considered as one of the top tennis universities in the country. “I am ambitious,” said Zungu. “I want [the club] to go to USSA and bring back silverware. The university is known for being the best in academics – it is time for it to be the same for tennis.”
Wits Tennis chairperson Connel Manhica said that the club was planning to organise friendly fixtures against the first teams of other universities in the USSA A section – particularly the University of Pretoria and North-West University in Potchefstroom. “This is aimed at getting match experience against strong teams,” said Manhica.
Ciaran Swartz hits a backhand volley during the men’s final. Photo: Seth Thorne
Loyiso Kole prepares to hit a forehand during his final. Photo: Seth Thorne
Loyiso Kole in his service motion during his semi-final match. Photo: Seth Thorne
Loyiso Kole shows frustration after an unforced error. Photo: Seth Thorne
Tawanda Nhokwane prepares to hit a backhand. Photo: Seth Thorne
Ciaran Swartz in his service motion during the final. Photo: Seth Thorne
Kani Lehlokoe hits a forehand in his first round match. Photo: Seth Thorne
Ciaran Swartz in his service motion. Photo: Seth Thorne
FEATURED: Ciaran Swartz lunges for a return of serve in the men’s final. Photo: Seth Thorne
An unbeaten season for Wits Cricket Club secures a historic first place victory in the Gauteng Premier League 50-over format.
On Sunday, April 2, Wits Cricket Club played in the last game of the season and beat Kagiso Cricket Club by eight wickets. The Wits side were first on the Enza league table and needed a win to maintain their position.
Wits Cricket Club celebrate after restricting Kagiso Cricket Club to 181 runs on Sunday, April 2, 2023 at Wits main campus. Photo: Kimberley Kersten
After forfeiting the toss, Kagiso were sent in to bat first. They got off to a good start in the power play with the first few wickets, but shortly after Wits were able to pull that lead back. With Mohammad Manack’s fantastic spell of five wickets for 21 in 10 overs, Wits restricted Kagiso to a subpar 181 runs.
Ndumiso Mvelase, Kagiso Cricket Club’s vice-captain said that the game was competitive but enjoyable, he said: “We knew that we were playing against the champs and ultimately we came out on the wrong side.”
When Wits took to batting, they were met with the fall of the skipper (Deeran Baba) in the opening overs. But Billy Van Zyl 65* (106) and Manack 81 (78) steadied the ship with a match winning partnership. Lions player, Conner Esterhuisen, struck the final blow with an explosive 25 not out, propelling Wits to 182/2 with 17 overs to spare.
This win marked the second trophy for the team this season after winning the USSA B division in December 2022, which saw them qualify for Varsity Cup and promoted them to the USSA A division.
Spectator Willem Van Zyl said: “The coaches have a lot of experience, they really know what they’re doing.” The new head coach, previous Lions player Nono Pongolo, who took up the post at the start of the year, looks forward to building upon the season’s success by preparing for Varsity Cup in the winter.
Speaking to the season that was, Captain of the Wits Cricket club, Deeran Baba, said: “The boys have worked hard behind the scenes to put out results every weekend and success has come our way. There is definitely more to come.”
FEATURED IMAGE: Wits batsman, Mohammad Manack, hits a ball against Kagiso Cricket Club on Sunday April 2, 2023 at Wits. Photo: Kimberley Kersten
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