• Third-Year North-West University (NWU) Public Governance student and talented basketball player Koketso Mafate has been selected to represent the University Sports South Africa (USSA) Basketball team at the 2026 Confederation of Universities and College Sports Association (CUCSA) Games.
• The 21-year-old student athlete believes hard work and exposure to high-level competition will assist him in achieving greater success.

Koketso Mafate will travel to Gaborone, Botswana, to represent the USSA basketball team at the 2026 CUCSA Games, which will take place from 28 June to 5 July.

His discipline, determination and strong work ethic earned him a place in the final USSA national basketball squad, which was announced at the final selection camp held at Emeris University in Johannesburg from 22 to 24 May.

“Making the USSA national squad means a lot to me because I have been working towards achieving it for a long time. It shows that if I can continue to work hard, I can achieve even more,” he said.

“Representing my country at the USSA 2026 tournament is a huge honour, and I’m super grateful for this opportunity.”

As the Vanderbijlpark Campus Basketball Players’ Player of the Season for 2025, Mafate is aiming to bring home silverware from the tournament. 

“My goal for the CUCSA games is to improve my game, become the best version of myself and help the USSA squad win the tournament,” he said.

Koketso is also looking forward to gaining valuable experience by competing at the highest level of university basketball in Southern Africa.

“I am expecting every game to be played with a high level of intensity because all the participating countries will be competing for the grand prize.”

Mafate explained that he discovered his love for basketball in White City Jabavu, Soweto, in 2015. Reflecting on his journey, he acknowledged the individuals and organisations that played a significant role in his development.

“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Soweto Basketball Academy for their role in my journey. There was a time when I considered giving up the sport, but they recognised my potential and encouraged me to keep working hard. I am also deeply thankful to my family, friends, and coaches who have believed in me and supported me since day one.”

Tshepo Twapa, the head coach of the Vanderbijlpark Campus basketball team, praised Mafate for this achievement and commended the qualities that have contributed to his success.

“He is determined and hard-working, and he stays true to his craft and his beliefs. I respect that about him. He is also calm, focused and mentally strong. I am very proud of him, mainly because he has pushed himself so far,” said Coach Twapa.

In line with this prestigious achievement, Mafate’s deadly accuracy from the three-point range and his defensive prowess caught the attention of the Northern Cape Zebras, who invited him to compete in the Basketball National League (BNL) in 2025. Following a successful spell with the franchise, Mafate is set to return to the Zebras for this year’s BNL campaign.

“My mindset going into the CUCSA Games is to become the best version of myself and help the USSA team bring the title home.”