By Levy Masiteng
Athletes from the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) had secured a string of provincial honours and national recognition, with Zakithi Nene named KZN Sportsman of the Year and netball coach Precious Mthembu winning her second KZN Coach of the Year title.
Varsity Shield player Freddy Malgas was named Suzuki Rookie of the Year, while Impi flyhalf Sphesihle Fihlela was voted the 2026 FNB Varsity Cup Overall Player That Rocks as well as Back That Rocks.
Netball players Asanda Ndaba and Tyra Scott have also been selected for the KZN Kingdom Queens squad for the upcoming Telkom Netball League.
UKZN Executive Director for Corporate Relations Normah Zondo congratulated the athletes, saying: “We celebrate your achievements for all that they represent. You are not only winning for yourselves but also inspiring many young athletes who are watching your success and seeing what is possible.”
Nene and Mthembu were honoured at the 2026 KZN Sport Awards, announced by KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Sport, Arts and Culture Mntomuhle Khawula. Winners were selected based on performances during the qualification period from January 1 to December 31, 2025, the university said.
Nene, a Bachelor of Commerce graduate from UKZN’s School of Economics, was nominated in both the Sports Personality of the Year and Sportsman of the Year categories.
“I was extremely chuffed to have been nominated in both categories and to win a Sportsman of the Year award. It was a highly contested category and each nominee was highly deserving. It means a lot to have won,” he said.
The university said his 2025 season included running 43.76 seconds over 400m at the Kip Keino Classic in Nairobi, the third-fastest time in the world that year, making him the second-fastest South African of all time and ranking him 18th globally.
He also recorded podium finishes on the Diamond League circuit in London, Rome and Rabat.
“The people I align with, my coach and medical personnel among others, believe in me even when I don’t see it. They push me and support me. This award is as much theirs as it is mine,” Nene said.
UKZN said he is set to travel to Kenya this week to compete in the 2026 Kip Keino Classic.
Mthembu, a former national netball player with 97 caps, was praised by the university for her work in developing student-athletes. UKZN said she had expressed appreciation for the institution’s support, particularly scholarships that allow athletes to pursue both academic and sporting success.
Ndaba and Scott are due to compete in the Telkom Netball League from April 24 as part of the Kingdom Queens team.
Ndaba, the UKZN Netball Central captain and a final-year Bachelor of Education student, said: “I feel privileged to represent UKZN at this level. I’m ready for the league and hoping for a first-place finish.”
She said that the team hoped to qualify for and compete in the Netball Varsity Cup this year.
Scott, the team’s vice-captain and a Bachelor of Social Science student, said: “Netball is something I absolutely love, it brings out such a joyful side of me. I’ve put in a lot of hard work and excited to finally see it all come together.”
Malgas, an inside-centre for UKZN Impi and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology student, also received two Player That Rocks accolades during the Varsity Shield season.
“I don’t know how to feel about the award (Rookie of the Year) because I wasn’t playing with the intention of chasing any awards when the season started. We had a goal as a team, and that was it. Same as for the two Player That Rocks awards, it was a big surprise because I was the new kid on the block.
“Also, that game was my Varsity Shield debut, and what a way to cap it off with an Award in front of the home crowd. It’s just so special to be able to experience all of that in my first game. I am beyond grateful for the opportunity and platform UKZN and Varsity Shield have given me,” he said.
Fihlela, a final-year Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and IT student, said the recognition had encouraged her to keep pushing in both sport and academics.
“Being recognised as an Overall Player That Rocks, especially after just one year in rugby, is something I’m incredibly grateful for. It’s been a journey of growth, discipline, and learning, and this award feels like a reminder that the hard work is paying off.
“What makes it even more special is balancing this with my final year Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and IT. It hasn’t always been easy managing both academics and sport, but moments like this make it all worthwhile.”
INSIDE EDUCATION
