For years, the bodybuilding team of the Vanderbijlpark Campus of the North-West University (NWU) has been a consistent force, never dropping out of the top three at the University Sports South Africa (USSA) Bodybuilding Championships.
2025 was no different, as they once again showcased their class at the USSA Bodybuilding and CrossFit Championships hosted by the Durban University of Technology in Pietermaritzburg on 28 June.
Facing fierce competition from nine other universities, the NWU returned home with an impressive haul: five trophies in different categories, two overall trophies, and six medals from top six category placings.
“This is one of the strongest squads we have ever had,” says coach Raphael Ntumba. “From day one, they showed the hunger to push beyond their limits – and it paid off.”
The bodybuilding team was placed second overall, proving their disciplined commitment to intensive training and nutrition regimens ranging from four to eight weeks based on each athlete’s body composition. In total, they secured five first-place finishes plus two overall titles, cementing their place among the best on the day.
Notable results included:
· Mzamani Mabasa: 1st place Senior Men under 75 kg
· Thapelo Leputu: 1st place and overall winner Senior Men over 175 cm (Men’s Physique)
· Caley van der Bank: 1st place and overall winner Wellness under 166 cm
· Palesa Maselo: 1st place Ladies Body Fitness
· Cindy Dube: 1st place Ladies Wellness over 166 cm
· Rochelle de Klerk: 2nd place Ladies Bikini
· Busisiwe Maphumulo: 3rd place Ladies Bikini over 163 cm
· Shari Igwe: 3rd place Body Fitness
· Nkateko Ngobeni: 4th place Body Fitness
· Conrad Johan Esterhuyse: 4th place Senior Men Classic Physique One lineup
· Mpho Monyela: 6th place Ladies Beach Bikini under 163 cm
· Dumisani Kokozela: 6th place Senior Men under 80 kg
· Wethu Mboweni: 5th place Senior Men under 80 kg
· Mojalefa Moloi: 6th place Senior Men over 80 kg
· Francis Motsileng: 6th place Men’s Physique under 175 cm
“Bringing home five trophies plus two overall trophies is no small feat,” adds coach Ntumba. “Every single athlete who stepped on stage was a winner in my eyes. Whether you took gold or sixth place, you made us proud.”
Of the 20 athletes chosen to represent USSA at the upcoming National Championships in Durban this September, five hail from the NWU’s Vanderbijlpark Campus:
1. Caley van der Bank
2. Rochelle de Klerk
3. Palesa Maselo
4. Thapelo Leputu
5. Mzamani Mabasa
“That is a huge honour,” says coach Ntumba. “It shows the depth of talent and the culture we have built here.”
Meanwhile, the Vanderbijlpark Campus CrossFit team, represented by Brian Kubuya, Lethloronoholo Motaung and Kabelo Earl Mahange, put on a remarkable show of teamwork and grit to claim an excellent third place finish.
“CrossFit is about resilience and unity. Our CrossFit team delivered on both fronts, and they left everything out there on the floor,” says coach Ntumba.
As the National Championships in September draw closer, the athletes remain laser-focused on maintaining their momentum.
“Now it is about keeping that momentum, polishing the details, and believing in ourselves,” coach Ntumba concludes.
Coach Raphael Ntumba says he is proud of the team.
