On Friday, 21 February 2025, the University of Venda (UNIVEN) Sport and Recreation Unit hosted an unforgettable Trophy Hand-over Function in honour of the Ladies Football Club’s incredible achievement. The event, held at the Student Centre Building—Student Parliament Hall, marked a historic moment for the university as the female football team successfully qualified for the 2025 Varsity Football Cup later this year.
With over 50 attendees, the ceremony began with a powerful rendition of the South African National Anthem, followed by a lively performance from the UNIVEN Entertainment Group, providing an electric atmosphere throughout the event. The day was filled with celebrations and heartfelt messages from the university’s key figures and supporters.
On the photo: Mr Patrick Thaba, Sports Officer and Coordinator of the Sport and Recreation Unit, University of Venda
Mr Patrick Thaba, Sport Officers and Coordinator of the Sport and Recreation Unit, welcomed the guests and highlighted the event’s significance. He reflected on the journey that had begun last year when the team was sent off to the 2024 USSA (University Sport South Africa) national football championship. He proudly announced that UNIVEN had qualified for the 2025 Varsity Football Cup tournament and secured the prestigious Team of the Tournament award out of 19 participating universities in the A- Section. The team’s achievement was further bolstered by the Manager of the Tournament award given to Miss Azwidowi Mudzanani who was a registered stu-dent studying Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE), a historic moment for the university.
The event was graced by prominent guests, including the CEO of Thavhani Mall, who ex-pressed his support for the female team, emphasising his belief in their potential to con-tinue achieving greatness. Mr Andries Ndlovu, the Head of Personal Banking at Stan-dard Bank, also extended his encouragement, assuring the bank’s unwavering support.
On the photo: Ms Norah Mudzielwana, South African Football Association (SAFA) Vhembe Deputy President
Ms Norah Mudzielwana, in her address, congratulated the team for their outstanding performance, highlighting the significance of their victory. Despite being located outside ma-jor metropolitan areas, she expressed pride in the fact that UNIVEN could compete on equal footing with some of the country’s top universities. She affirmed the SAFA’s commitment to supporting the team as they prepare for the upcoming Varsity Football Cup.
The event was truly an inspiring celebration, fueled by the community’s support and a great performance from the UNIVEN Entertainment Group. The ladies’ football team now stands as a beacon of success, proving that even the greatest challenges can be overcome with determination and hard work.
As the team looks forward to competing at the Varsity Football Cup later this year, the sense of pride and belief from the entire UNIVEN family ensures that the journey ahead will be filled with even more historic moments. The future is bright for these exceptional young women, and the entire university is behind them every step of the way.
On the photo: Mr Azwidowi Mukheli, Dean of Students at UNIVEN
During his message of support, Mr Azwidowi Mukheli, the Dean of Students at UNIVEN, of-fered a passionate message of support. He praised the team’s dedication, hard work, and the pride they have brought to the Vhembe region. He encouraged the players to maintain their mo-mentum and emphasised that their achievements reflected their resilience and commitment.
On the photo: Mr Kennedy Sivhaga, Head of Student Housing
Mr Kennedy Sivhaga, Head of Student Housing, concluded the speeches with a vote of thanks and announcements. In his vote of thanks, Mr Kennedy Sivhaga, Head of Student Housing, expressed heartfelt gratitude to all those who made the event successful. He acknowledged the contributions of the various guests, including the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Thavhani Mall Mr Brandon Nesengani, Mr Andries Ndlovu from Standard Bank, the programme director Dr. Ndiafhi Percy Mugwedi, Sports Administrator and all the supporters who attended the celebration. Mr Sivhaga emphasised the importance of unity and collaboration in celebrating the achievements of the Uni-versity of Venda (UNIVEN) Ladies Football Team. He also thanked the university’s leadership for their continuous support of the team and for creating an environment that fosters excellence in sports. He concluded by extending his best wishes to the players as they prepare for the Varsity Football Cup. He expressed confidence that they would continue to make the university proud.
Issued by:
Department of Marketing, Branding and Communication
University of Venda
Tel: 082 868 2218 / 082 868 1811
