TSHEPO Matsie and Thanda Kweyama usually sit at opposing ends of benches during basketball games. Still, for the next couple of days, the two men will work hand in hand to plot South Africa’s success in the 2024 CUCSA Games starting on Monday in the country’s capital, Tshwane.
Matsie, head coach of the Tshwane University Technology (TUT) men’s team and Kweyama, who sits at the helm of rivals University Pretoria, have fought many battles against each other on the court.
But on Sunday after a scrimmage game against Egoli Magic at the University of Pretoria’s Rembrandt Hall, both men sang from the same hymn sheet about the national cause being a priority. National team head coach Matsie says he and his assistant Kweyama have a friendship off the court.
“We both understand what is required… Despite the basketball stuff, he and I (Kweyama) are actually good friends off the court. Apart from that, USSA has appointed us to lead the team, so things like rivalry must be put aside. Right now the focus is to represent the country to the best of our abilities,” said Matsie.
Kweyama noted that while the coaches are from opposing institutions – it is the same for the players. He also pointed out that they are learning from each other.
“We are working towards a common goal, so there is no clash of egos… Like ‘You beat me or I beat you this many times’. There is a common goal,” said Kweyama. “Also, most of the guys here are from rival schools, so it’s a good learning experience and where we get to share ideas and impart wisdom.”
Kweyama, a former TUT student and Pretoria Boys High School pupil will be experiencing his first taste of international basketball. He described getting the opportunity as a “dream come true”.
“It’s a dream come true. As the saying goes, patience is a virtue, so when you quietly and eagerly wait, these opportunities will come at the right time. So this is exciting for me,” said Kweyama.
“This is a learning process and I am getting used to the requirements at this level. So, this is also a humbling moment.
Matsie, while a first-time head coach, has had experience at the international level. The former Tshwane Suns player was an assistant to Mandla Ngema during the FISU World Student Games in China last year.
The two-time BNL champion says the Games in China were an eye-opener for him and gave him important insights on where South Africa needs to focus on, in its development curve.
“The level of basketball played around the world is different. Knowing what the international standards look like was great and when we returned home, we knew the adjustments we needed to make,” said Matsie.
“If you looked at the game we played (against the Magic), the intensity was high, meaning we can play at this level. It’s also good we have players who have competed at that level (FISU Games) returning to the team. We need that experience and it’s a big plus for us.”
Basketball in South Africa has been experiencing somewhat of a revival. Having hosted one leg of the Basketball Africa League and with the U18 AfroBasket for men and women coming to the country in a couple of months, it is clear that basketball in South Africa will be the big winner.
“This is huge for us. I think we are at a point where basketball is growing in the country. Hosting these kinds of tournaments will give confidence to players who play and those that aspire to play the game. They will see that there is an outlet for them,” said Matsie. “We are hosting the CUCSA Games now. Soon we will be hosting the U18 AfroBasket. From a basketball perspective in our country, we need this.”
The last word went to Kweyama. “It’s exciting times. I wish this happened every other year. People have the opportunity to see the value of the sport. If we can build on this momentum then we can have more people invest in basketball in the country,” concluded Kweyama.
Today’s games:
Women: South Africa vs Malawi at 6 pm (South Africa time)
Men: South Africa vs Zimbabwe at 8 pm (South Africa time)
Where can we watch the CUCSA games