Article: Lonwabo Mtyeku – GP News Media, Community Newsroom | 29 October 2025
Tshwane, South Africa — In the world of sport, excellence and community spirit form the backbone of true progress — and few embody this more than TuksSport. This year, the University of Pretoria’s TuksSport and High Performance Centre (HPC) will represent South Africa at the Namibia Sport Expo 2025, an event dedicated to advancing development, inclusion, innovation, and sustainability in sport across the African continent.
The Expo, set to take place in Swakopmund, Namibia, from 30 October to 1 November 2025, will gather some of the continent’s most influential voices in sport administration, development, and performance science. Representing the University of Pretoria will be Mr Steven Ball, Director of TuksSport and Acting CEO of HPC, who joins an esteemed panel of speakers contributing thought leadership to the future of African sport.
Championing Sport as a Catalyst for Development
Fresh off the heels of the TuksSport Annual Colours and Awards Function, the participation of TuksSport in this year’s Namibia Sport Expo comes at a symbolic moment. Reflecting on the institution’s legacy, the University of Pretoria’s Vice-Chancellor and Principal recently remarked:
“Sport is a vital part of the university’s heartbeat and cannot be viewed separately from the academic journey. TuksSport is deeply entwined with UP’s very DNA. Over the years, it has evolved into a dominant sporting powerhouse in South Africa, across the African continent, and on the global stage.”
These words perfectly capture the ethos that drives TuksSport — a department that not only cultivates athletic excellence but also shapes character, leadership, and continental impact.
Speaking ahead of the Expo, Mr Ball emphasised the broader vision behind TuksSport’s involvement:
“As TuksSport, we believe in the power of sport within the African continent. Being part of the Namibia Sport Expo allows us to contribute meaningfully to the continent’s sporting footprint. Sport is a powerful nation-building tool — it unites communities, builds pride, and inspires collective progress.”
Building the Future of African Sport
The Namibia Sport Expo 2025 aims to create a dynamic platform for collaboration, research exchange, and innovation in the sports sector. Its focus extends beyond performance to include athlete welfare, inclusion, youth development, and community engagement — all areas that resonate deeply with TuksSport’s institutional philosophy.
By integrating sport science, coaching excellence, and sustainable development principles, the Expo seeks to shape a new generation of African athletes and administrators who view sport as both an academic discipline and a tool for socio-economic transformation.
TuksSport’s presence at this prestigious event reflects the University of Pretoria’s strategic commitment to pan-African collaboration and leadership in sports education and high-performance systems. The department’s participation reinforces the growing recognition of African universities as key players in global sports development.
About TuksSport
As the sporting heartbeat of the University of Pretoria, TuksSport has built a reputation as a continental leader in athlete development, coaching, and sport management. The department offers a professional home to over 30 sporting codes, serving athletes from recreational to elite levels.
TuksSport’s holistic approach integrates academic excellence, performance science, and personal growth, ensuring that its student-athletes excel both on the field and in the classroom. The High Performance Centre (HPC) complements this mission, offering world-class scientific and medical services, fitness and tactical training, and sport psychology support — helping to produce some of South Africa’s most celebrated athletes.
But beyond the medals and accolades, TuksSport remains committed to a broader social vision: using sport as a platform for empowerment, inclusivity, and sustainable development.
The Spirit of the StripeGeneration
For TuksSport, participation in the Namibia Sport Expo 2025 is more than an academic exchange — it’s a reaffirmation of the StripeGeneration philosophy: a belief in unity, excellence, and purpose through sport.
As Mr Ball prepares to take the stage in Swakopmund, he carries with him not only the TuksSport legacy but also the aspirations of a continent striving to transform sport into a catalyst for education, innovation, and nation-building. In doing so, TuksSport once again proves that its impact extends far beyond Pretoria’s fields — it resonates across Africa, shaping a future where sport and scholarship walk hand in hand.