UL: SAUSSA names UL Sports Officer as its first female President
The Southern African Universities Staff Sport Association (SAUSSA) has named the University of Limpopo’s Sport and Recreation Officer, Maria Mochechela, as its new and first female President at an elective meeting hosted at the National University of Science and Technology in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
Mochechela will serve SAUSSA for a period of two years. Her appointment was announced recently, walloping strong candidates from the Walter Sisulu University, University of Botswana, National University of Lesotho, University of Fort Hare, University of South Africa, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University and North West University.
SAUSSA was established in 1999 to provide recreation, sport, arts and culture development of staff in their respective universities in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.
As the President, Mochechela is responsible for delegating duties and responsibilities to the executive committee and oversee all SAUSSA activities. She told UL Witness that she hoped to get management of member universities to support their employees with their sporting activities, to get a sponsorship for the association and to build a united SAUSSA where everybody could relate with one another in promoting sportsmanship.
The position adds to Mochechela’s busy schedule as the Chairperson of University of Limpopo Staff Sport Association (ULSSA) which she has held since 2010.
Her spell at ULSSA is accompanied by greatness where there has been an increase in sport among staff, from 45 to 166. “When we started in 2010, we had two sporting codes – netball and football, and saw the addition of volleyball, supa pool, darts and athletics, to make it six,” Mochechela explained.
When the announcement was made, neither did anyone, even Mochechela, saw it coming that the first SAUSSA female president was going to come from UL. “After the announcement, I was surprised, happy and overwhelmed at the same time. I did not see this one coming especially that since its inception SAUSSA never had a female president,” she stated.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
- Vice President (Technical) – Mzwanele Toni (Walter Sisulu University)
- Vice President (Administration) – Malebogo Mophalane (University of Botswana)
- Secretary – Max Ntakatsane (National University of Lesotho)
- Deputy Secretary – Kaykay Kgobokwe (University of Fort Hare)
- Treasurer – Vusi Mathethe (University of South Africa)
- Public Relations Officer – Lindi Rampa (Sefako Makgatho University)
- Asset Officer – Jim Mamphoke (North West University)