• UKZN student Ms Andiswa Mbanjwa will represent South Africa at the Commonwealth Kho Kho Championships,
• Scheduled to take place in India from 6 to 13 October, the Championships will bring together teams from over 24 countries,
• Mbanjwa hopes to help the national team win gold this year.

UKZN student Ms Andiswa Mbanjwa has been selected to represent South Africa at the Commonwealth Kho Kho Championships.

Set to take place in India from 6 to 13 October, the Championships will bring together teams from more than 24 countries to compete in Kho Kho, a traditional Indian tag sport.

Played on a rectangular court by two teams of nine players, the fast-paced game requires speed, agility, and strategic coordination as teams alternate between chasing and defending, with the chasing team aiming to eliminate defenders by tagging them with their hands.

Mbanjwa, who was selected for the 15-member squad, said she was proud to have made it to the national team after missing its debut at last year’s Commonwealth Kho Kho Championships. “I failed to qualify for the South African team in 2025, but I’m so happy that my determination, hard work, and perseverance paid off this year, granting me an opportunity to represent my country with pride.”

The 21-year-old was introduced to the sporting code in 2017 while still in primary school. She progressed to playing at a district level for uMgungundlovu in 2019 before representing the province at the national games in 2021 and 2023.

A resident of France, a small township in Pietermaritzburg, Mbanjwa hopes to help the team move from winning bronze at last year’s Commonwealth Kho Kho Championships to claiming gold this year.

A talented multi-sport athlete, Mbanjwa has also represented South Africa in netball, earning selection for the national top 35 teams in the U18 and U19 categories in 2022 and 2023, respectively. She currently plays for UKZN’s first division netball team.

A third-year Bachelor of Education in Foundation Phase student, she hopes to use her qualification to give back to young learners by introducing them to the value of sports, particularly indigenous games.

Dr Normah Zondo, Executive Director of the Corporate Relations Division, congratulated Andiswa on her outstanding achievement.

Zondo said: “The University of KwaZulu-Natal takes immense pride in our student-athletes who continue to excel both academically and on the international sporting stage. Andiswa’s selection to represent South Africa in Kho Kho reflects not only her dedication and talent but also the spirit of excellence that defines UKZN.

“We congratulate her on this remarkable achievement and wish her every success as she proudly represents both the University and South Africa at the Commonwealth Kho Kho Championships.”