Three Table Tennis players will exemplify their unwavering dedication to the sport, proudly representing CPUT Sports on the international stage as they join fellow student-athletes from across the continent at the 12th All Africa University Games, known as the FASU Games Cairo 2026.
Organised by the Federation of African University Sports (FASU), taking place from 8 to 16 September 2026, the Games will feature 18 sports, including athletics, badminton, basketball, chess, fencing, football, futsal, judo, karate, modern pentathlon, padel, squash, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis, volleyball and wrestling.
With the continent’s best student-athletes heading to Cairo, the stage is set for an exciting celebration of African university sport for Ntuthuzelo Lusithi, Zizipho Ntlali and Logan Willemse. For Logan, a second-year student studying a Bachelor of Education at the Wellington Campus, her goal is to perform at her highest level, stay focused, and take every match one point at a time. “As a team, we hope to make it to the podium.”
She said a successful tournament would be knowing that she gave her absolute best in every match and didn't leave the table feeling like “I could have done more”. “Of course, winning a medal would be an amazing achievement!” Logan says, managing an academic workload while training for a major continental championship definitely requires discipline and good time management. “I try to plan my work ahead of time, stay on top of deadlines, and use my free time effectively.”
Accountancy third-year student, Zizipho, also a first timer at the All Africa University Games, says, "I don't get as many international matches, so I have been working on footwork to improve speed. Asked what specific areas of her game she and her coach have focused on the most over the last few weeks, she says footwork and consistency. “Continental players attack a lot, so we’ve been preparing for that.”
She continues: “As much as the level of competition will be high, I want to at least bring a medal home both for teams and singles.” Zizipho says Egypt and Nigeria are the toughest competitors, as they have been doing well in recent years. She says she will also consider it a successful tournament, “If we make it out of the group stages and enjoy my time there. “We encourage each other and keep a positive energy. When competing at the international level, Ntuthuzelo can only work on refining his technique and focus on mastering it to force opponents to adjust to his game instead of it being
the other way round. “Movement and controlling my mind have been the biggest focus areas, as I had to get my reaction time even faster than it was.”
Reflecting on their primary goal for this tournament, He says: “Well, I can't really put a goal on this one because going is already rewriting history. We are the first group in the country to go to this major tournament in about 14 years and the first at CPUT. This is a major milestone for CPUT and university table tennis in South Africa, and we hope more universities will support their student athletes to attend the next edition. However, I am feeling good and ready, and we have nothing to lose but history to make, so we'll take it one match at a time and go as far as we can.”
In his message to the students, Frans Mamabolo: Manager and Head of the Sports, Arts and Culture Department, says: “We are very proud of their achievements, especially their dedication to their sports and flying the flag of CPUT Sports high internationally. This is one of our objectives to contribute towards CPUT Internationalisation strategy… They must go and make us proud as an institution; they’re carrying the inspiration of every student and staff member at CPUT. As the Division of Student Affairs, we will continue to enhance the student experience at CPUT.”
Written by Aphiwe Boyce
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