Bodybuilding has transformed from being a sport into a complete lifestyle for Tshepo Baloyi, the bodybuilding coach on the NWU Mahikeng Campus. 

Baloyi (29) went through the ranks from athlete to coach on the NWU Mahikeng Campus– a journey that has seen numerous success stories, such as USSA titles in 2024 and 2025 and a runner-up spot in 2026. This makes the NWU Mahikeng Campus the place to be as a premier bodybuilding factory. 

Baloyi’s squad also competed at the new Bodybuilding South-Africa North West Provincials, where 14 athletes qualified to represent North West at the nationals. 

Baloyi’s journey into bodybuilding started in 2018 when a friend showed him some pictures. Having come from an athletic background, this grabbed his attention. He played cricket and volleyball at school at Mlokotwa-Dube Primary School in Winterveld and Daspoort Secondary School in Pretoria.

“I matriculated in 2014 and started with a diploma in Animal Science in 2015. Three years later I entered my first bodybuilding contest in 2018.” 

That was a difficult entry for Baloyi, who was still green in the sport. 

“I came back in 2019 after not having been placed the year before. I took second place in the province, so there was a good improvement. In 2022, I came second in the under 80 kg category at the USSA and was selected for the USSA team that competed at the nationals,” explains Baloyi. 

Baloyi transitioned to coaching and that paid dividends, with two USSA victories in a row in 2024 and 2025. He was also named the NWU Mahikeng Campus Coach of the Year in 2023.

“I am very proud of those two victories. We had 18 athletes going to the nationals in 2025, which was a great achievement.”

According to Baloyi, bodybuilding is an intense sport – it takes 24 hours of your life each day. 

“To be a great bodybuilder you must be willing to learn and have a dedicated and committed attitude. You need to live a very strict life.”

Baloyi’s goals going forward for the NWU Mahikeng Campus is to reclaim the USSA title and win three titles in a row – a feat he narrowly missed out on this year. 

“The more exposure our athletes have on a national level, the more it will benefit us in the long run. Dimpho Lekalakala, one of our alumni, is one of the greatest bodybuilders. We have athletes with bright futures like Kevin Pandeka, Bokang Matsetela, Sindiswa Mpelane, Rejoice Letsoalo, Sinazo Ndabeni and Amogelang Thale.”

He also references Kamogelo Thale, Lehlogonolo Mogala, Tlotlo Kelaotswe and Siyethemba Mbatha as athletes with an amazing future in the sport. 

Baloyi believes the best is yet to come and that the sky is the limit for a tight-knit NWU Mahikeng Campus bodybuilding group, who like to take on a challenge. 

“My biggest motivation is to see our athletes on stage achieving their goals. It is really rewarding to see them growing into their full potential.” 

Tshepo Baloyi, the bodybuilding coach on the NWU Mahikeng Campus