The call-up of nine current and former University of the Western Cape (UWC) players to the Banyana Banyana team to the FIFA Women's World Cup is another testament to the institution's commitment to the national women’s team, said UWC Rector and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Tyrone Pretorius.

Four current students – defenders Bongeka Gamede and Fikile Magama and midfielders Sibulele Holweni and Kholosa Biyana – were named on Friday in the final 23-member squad that will do battle in Australia and New Zealand from 20 July to 20 August.

They were selected along with UWC alumnae in goalkeeper Kaylin Swart who is now with JVW FC, midfielder Nomvula Kgoale (TS Galaxy), as well as forwards Noxolo Cesane (unattached), Jermaine Seoposenwe (CF Monterrey) and Thembi Kgatlana (Racing Louisville). 

Moreover, UWC's women's football coach, Thinasonke Mbuli, is also an assistant coach with Banyana, and two more current players, goalkeeper Regirl Ngobeni and midfielder Amogelang Motau, are on standby.

"I had lunch with the Banyana players at the University, right after they won the Afcon last year. I shared with the players that there must be something in the water at UWC to make it such an incubator for the national team. But it is no accident, as we are deliberate about investing in the women's game,” Prof Pretorius said. 

"The number of Banyana players who have come through UWC or are currently studying here and are involved in this World Cup squad is a testament to our commitment to the national team. But it means that a large percentage of the national team are university graduates with employability beyond football. I want to congratulate each player who made the World Cup squad. Make us proud!"

Prof Pretorius' comments were echoed by UWC Director of Sport, Mandla Gagayi, who said: "Any selection of a UWC athlete to national teams reminds us about our responsibility to contribute to the country's development agenda. I am so proud of these players and wish them all the best with the World Cup. Their success is our success."

The selection of the nine players didn't come by chance or luck, as UWC has been a bedrock of women's football development in South Africa for several years.

For instance, at the Banyana Banyana's inaugural World Cup in France four years ago, UWC had one then-current player and four alumni in the squad when Leandra Smeda joined Swart, Seoposenwe, Gamede and Kgatlana in the line up. Kgatlana made history, scoring South Africa’s first goal at the World Cup against Spain.

When the national team won the 2022 Women's Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco last year, the University had five current players in Ngobeni, Gamede, Motau, Cesane and Sibulele Holweni. In addition, some UWC players have also represented the country at the World Students Games.

Prof Matete Madiba, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Student Development and Support, says she is encouraged that the best memory for UWC Sports in 2022 was Banyana Banyana’s Afcon triumph in Morocco - where no fewer than half of the team were UWC alumnae or current students.

“Indeed, UWC has become a hub of women’s football development in the Western Cape with the launch of She-Bobo too, the junior girls’ soccer league. I am happy to be at an institution with a great vision to fight for gender equity on all fronts,” she says.