Fort Hare have added additional categories to their itinerary to give themselves the best possible chance of a podium at the USSA dancesport championships, which starts in Mahikeng tomorrow.
With UFH placing sixth overall in the past two years, coach Thandisizwe Matyumza recognised that they had been missing out on vital points by not participating in all the events.
While UWC and UKZN will always be leading contenders at the University Sports South Africa showpiece, he believed a top-three effort was well within reach for the 10 couples competing under the UFH umbrella.
His 22-member squad comprising 12 women, nine men and one reserve may be young (only two are final-year students), but they have already shown that they have the mettle to win when it counts.
At the Amathole Championships earlier this year, the first of three competitions earmarked for provincial selection, they claimed 39 medals despite many competing at the level for the first time.
They twirled their way to the top three positions in several categories and, in some, even annexed the top six slots against their peers from districts across the province.
“Our dancers are in good form,” Matyumza stated the obvious.
However, he said it had become clear that they needed to participate in more of the categories should they want to give themselves the best possible chance of rising to at least third in the USSA rankings this time round.
Nontando Tsheleza is one of the Fort Hare athletes looking to make a big impression at the USSA dancesport championships in Mahikeng. Photo: Full Stop Communications
“In the past we have limited ourselves in terms of accumulating points,” he added.
The Formation and Opening Theme Presentation were just two of the additional categories in which they hoped to rack up solid numbers to put the likes of DUT (rated alongside UWC and UKZN as one of the three top teams in the country) under pressure.
The additional workload has meant even higher intensity levels at their training camp held from June 17 to 24.
Instead of two daily sessions of three hours each, as was the case in 2023, the squad have been put through their paces for four hours at a time – from 9am to 1pm and from 4pm to 8pm.
“We have [also] been jogging in the morning to build up our stamina,” Matyumza said.
“With the students only recently completing their exams, we only had a week to prepare properly so we’ve had to push everything.”
As part of their preparations, Matyumza took some of his younger charges to an elite Champions League event in Johannesburg to see for themselves what sort of pressure they could expect at the USSAs.
As gruelling as their preparation had been, the coach was quick to remind the younger athletes, in particular, that they should remember to enjoy the moment.
“If you do, you will find the results.”
Squad
Men: Lisakhanya Mpi, Luxolo Gantana, Lutholwethu Mzinzi, Ayubelela Rala, Phiwe Cele, Mfundo Mashiqa, Phumelela Mqalo, Inga Mtana, Sikhulule Bukani
Women: Naledi Bangani, Qaqamba Madolo, Sanelisiwe Vumendlini, Zita Maliwa, Mihlali Bali, Thatohatsi Maliwa, Thandeka Mhlanga, Nontando Tsheleza, Sesethu Bangani, Nikita Mayeza, Olwethu Mteshana, Sisanda Mrubatha