By The Division of Communication and Advancement
The #RU120 Sports Festival, scheduled for 9-10 August 2024, includes participation from Nelson Mandela University, Walter Sisulu University, East Cape Midlands TVET College, and local sports clubs and institutions outside the Eastern Cape. Key events from this festival will be streamed online, ensuring the festival's excitement reaches a global audience.
The Sports Festival will feature a variety of sporting codes, including rugby, soccer, netball, basketball, a 5km run, rowing, and volleyball. Each participating institution and local club will be able to enter teams in various sports. The festival will adopt a non-competitive format, emphasising participation, collaboration, and enjoyment of sport. While winners in each sporting code will be recognised, there will be no overall winner, like in the Eastern Cape Intervarsity. In addition to sports competitions, the festival will include cultural activities such as choir performances, colloquiums, debates, and other interactive exhibitions showcasing the history and achievements of Rhodes University.
The #RU120 celebration year is pivotal for the university, focusing on alleviating student debt and supporting sports initiatives. Sue Smailes, #RU120 sub-project leader for Sport, emphasised the significance of events like the Sports Festival, highlighting the historic inclusion of female rugby teams and the significance of streaming their games on par with their male counterparts, marking a stride towards gender equality in sports.
“Efforts to develop sports at Rhodes University are driven by one clear goal: to enhance the student experience and create lasting connections with the University through quality, accessible sports and active recreation opportunities for all students,” said Smailes.
Rhodes University is pleased to continue its innovative live-streaming initiative, set to bring critical events from the #RU120 Sports Festival to audiences worldwide. This follows the success of the recent USSA Rugby Games, streamed online from 1-5 July 2024, showcasing thrilling matches and strengthening bonds with alumni, industry stakeholders, and local businesses.
The live-streaming of the USSA Rugby Games reached viewers across South Africa and internationally, including the Netherlands, UK, US, Australia, Namibia, and New Zealand. Local restaurants in Makhanda screened the matches, creating a communal viewing experience and boosting local economic activity. Local food and beverage vendors capitalised on the opportunity and contributed to the vibrant atmosphere. The university’s in-house multimedia capabilities have been instrumental in these achievements.
Lwandiso Gwarubana, Manager for Multimedia Platforms at Rhodes University, highlighted the strategic importance of this initiative: “Sport is part of the unique student culture at Rhodes University, so it was important for us to deploy our resources strategically to support this valuable RU120 event.”