The election of Aluta Mafu as president of Border Women’s Rugby is just reward for years of hard work put into elevating the game at the University of Fort Hare.
The 29-year-old rugby club administrator and men’s rugby team manager, who sat on the varsity’s SRC during her student days, has been instrumental in the institution’s on-field success since taking up the role in 2021.
Earlier this year the Baby Blues claimed their maiden Varsity Cup title while the men’s team also created history in 2022 when they became the first Eastern Cape tertiary institution to win the FNB Varsity Shield.
These achievements would not have been possible without Mafu’s considerable organisational powers that ensured the players had everything they needed to perform.
Behind the scenes, she works tirelessly equipping them with kit, arranging travel and accommodation as they criss-cross the country and giving them the necessary support on the road.
What stands out about her appointment as president of the women’s game in the region is that it is her first foray into Border’s rugby structures.
“I was nominated and there was a meeting to discuss the credentials of the nominees. It was put to a vote and the conclusion was that I was the perfect woman for the job,” she explained.
“They saw the work we have done at Fort Hare and our male and female teams making history in Varsity rugby competitions. If we hadn’t produced these results, I don’t believe I would have been nominated.”
Fort Hare rugby administrator Aluta Mafu has been appointed as Border Women’s Rugby president. Photo: Supplied
She was officially appointed on July 13 and her ascension to the presidency automatically makes her a member of the Border Rugby Union.
Mafu graduated from Fort Hare with a Bachelor of Education and Agriculture in 2020 and took up her role as administrator a year later.
She said her degree had helped her in that many of the philosophies found in education applied to administration, making it easier to work with people.
Her job requires her to think on her feet, as there are often cases when the men’s and women’s teams are playing at the same time but in different parts of the country.
With the Border Women’s Rugby position now also on her plate, her schedule will be even more frenetic. But she is not worried.
“Managing rugby doesn’t change. Even if I went overseas it wouldn’t change. I know how to manage my time and employ the principles I know.
“Even when I am not there in person, I can make sure players have what they need. I will bring the same thing to Border.
“It’s not like I am managing another code – rugby is who I am.”
While Mafu has not yet met with the new provincial executive, she has already given a lot of thought to what she wants to bring to the table.
Her first goal is to make women’s rugby in the province stronger at age-group and senior level; to the point that it is on a par with the men’s game.
“I want to change the narrative,” she explained.
“Our senior ladies’ team are doing well. We just lost to the Bulls Daisies in the semifinals [of the SA Rugby Women’s Premier Division].
But it is about making sure they had a large pool of players and depth.
“We need to make sure that when players go from U16 to U18, the next step is U20. There should not be gaps in-between. This is something I would like to address.”