The Vanderbijlpark Campus of the North-West University (NWU) was filled with the sounds of friendly competition and excitement on Wednesday 4 February as first-year students participated in a recreational sports fair to build team spirit.

As part of the orientation programme, which began on Saturday 31 January, the sports fair gave new students the chance to experience campus life through sport and social interaction.

The fair featured a variety of sports, including a vibrant colour run, netball, soccer, athletics, touch rugby, e-sports, and indigenous games, to cater for students of all abilities.

Whether on the field or behind a screen, the focus was on having fun, being inclusive, and forming lifelong connections. Taking part in sport from the outset inspires students to strike a healthy balance between their academic responsibilities and personal well-being.

According to Mr. Karabo Mokoka, sports fairs enable coaches to identify potential talent and strengthen their squads.

As the event progressed, the energy among the first years was palpable, with many viewing it as an opportunity to meet new people, make friends, and discover new interests. Many people shared their experiences.

“The sports fair was great, especially for students from disadvantaged backgrounds or rural areas, because the facilities were good and everyone was competitive,” said Sanele Mahlanagu, a BCom Chartered Accountancy student.

Janko Wepeber, a BSc Computer Science and Mathematics student, participated in chess, and this is what he had to say:

“It was fun, I enjoyed it a lot. The games were quite long, though, so I could not try out other sports like volleyball and touch rugby.”

Meanwhile, laughter and cheers echoed across the sports grounds as the students discovered the pulsating sporting culture at the Vanderbijlpark Campus. NWU continues to prioritise sports in the student experience, recognising its role in building confidence, relieving stress, and fostering campus pride.

As the 2026 academic year commences, events such as the Recreational Sport Fair establish an exciting and interconnected university experience. This proves that, at the NWU, orientation is about more than just finding your way to lecture halls; it’s about finding your place.