Three table tennis stars represent CPUT at national champs
FLYING THE FLAG: The three players are representing CPUT at the South African Table Tennis Championships.
Tuesday, 07 July 2026
Three of CPUT's top table tennis players are proudly representing the university at the South African Table Tennis Championships in Limpopo this week (2-8 July).
The three players are Mechatronics Engineering student Liqhawe "Larry" Pepeta, Sport Management student Scelo Mkhetho and Mathematical Sciences student Ntuthuzelo Lusithi. Collectively, they boast an impressive list of achievements at university, provincial and national level.
Pepeta, who first took up table tennis during high school, quickly established himself as a leader in the sport, serving as first-team captain in his matric year. Since joining CPUT in 2023, he has enjoyed a string of successes, winning the Cape Town Table Tennis (CTTT) League, Grand Challenge and Knockout, as well winning the Cape Town Intervarsity.
His leadership qualities were further recognised when he was appointed captain of the CPUT Table Tennis Club in 2024. He was also named Sports Administrator of the Year in both 2024 and 2025. In 2025 Pepeta earned his first cap for CPUT in the University Sport South Africa (USSA) Tournament, claimed two bronze medals and was named the Chairperson's Player of the Tournament
Mkhetho's journey in the sport began in primary school Inspired by both his mentor and his brothers, he developed a passion for table tennis that has translated into consistent success at university level.
In 2023, he was part of the team that won the Cape Town Intervarsity Tournament and represented the university at the USSA Tournament, where he secured gold medals in two consecutive years. At the 2025 USSA Tournament, he won both a gold and bronze medal and contributed to CPUT's success in the CTTT Plate Knockout competition. In 2026, he finished second at the Stephanians Divisional Tournament and third at the Ravens Semi-Divisional Tournament.
Lusithi was introduced to table tennis in primary school and has since developed into one of the university's most accomplished athletes. In 2023, he represented CPUT at the USSA Games, winning a gold medal and earning selection to Team USSA .
That achievement marked the beginning of an impressive rise through the ranks. This year Lusithi has once again been selected to represent South Africa, making it the third time he has earned national selection. In 2024, he was named Sportsman of the Year and elected Chairperson of USSA Table Tennis. His leadership credentials have continued to grow, with his subsequent election as Chairperson of the Sports, Arts and Culture Committee.
Written by Ilse Fredericks
Email: Frederickskennediji@cput.ac.za
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