Karabo Mailula – USSA Cross Country 10KM Women’s Winner
Article: Lonwabo Mtyeku – GP News Media, Community Newsroom Photo Cred – Reg Caldecott | 24 October 2025
Tonight, the University of Pretoria’s TuksSport will once again take centre stage in celebrating sporting excellence, resilience, and the spirit of the StripeGeneration at the much-anticipated TuksSport Colours and Awards Evening, hosted at the UP Tuks Rembrandt Hall.
This prestigious annual event recognises the outstanding performances, leadership, and commitment of Tuks student-athletes, coaches, partners, and support teams who continue to elevate the institution’s proud sporting legacy. It is a night dedicated to acknowledging both visible victories and the unseen dedication that fuels TuksSport’s continued dominance in university sport.
“Performance is far greater than one person, one team, or one entity,” the TuksSport leadership shared in reflection. “Having a sports system is more than just winning or losing — it’s about the unseen work, the people cutting the grass to ensure a safe space, the medical teams treating injuries, the administrators planning late into the night. It’s about dedication when no one is watching.”
The evening, guided by the esteemed MC Ms Alice Khoza, will feature 13 award categories celebrating the best of TuksSport — from Student Administrator of the Year to Bestmed Student Sportswoman and Sportsman of the Year, as well as accolades for top teams, coaches, and clubs.
Among the many athletes being honoured is Karabo Mailula, who made headlines earlier this year by claiming victory in the USSA Cross Country 10KM Women’s event, a testament to the world-class calibre of talent within the TuksSport system. (Photo: Reg Caldecott)
This evening’s celebration also serves as a tribute to the collective ecosystem that makes TuksSport thrive — the coaches, sport scientists, medical teams, administrators, and university support services — whose tireless efforts behind the scenes ensure that athletes perform at their best, on and off the field.
“At the core of our journey is a clear and powerful purpose — to be meaningful in our impact, using sport as our launchpad,” said Mr Steven Ball, Director of TuksSport and Acting CEO of the High Performance Centre (HPC). “Our student-athletes continue to inspire us not only through their sporting performances but also through their academic achievements.”
As the night unfolds, the TuksSport community will reflect on a year defined by excellence, growth, and resilience. The 2025 TuksSport Colours and Awards Evening is not only a celebration of achievement — it is a reaffirmation of the institution’s commitment to shaping leaders, nurturing talent, and inspiring a culture of performance that extends beyond the field.
With lights set, trophies polished, and the spirit of the StripeGeneration shining bright, TuksSport once again proves why it stands as a powerhouse in South African university sport — united in excellence, driven by purpose, and ready for even greater heights