Performance Without Principle is Failure: A New Era for SMU Sport
By Rose Moreki

No shortcuts. No silence. No excuses.

That was the uncompromising message echoing through the Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) Sports Complex recently, as the university staged its first-ever multi-disciplinary sports workshop. This wasn’t just another university event; it was a bold reset for student sport under the powerful theme: “Play Smart, Play Safe, Play Clean.”

Engineering Excellence: The Dludlu Standard
The day kicked off with a firm reminder from former Banyana Banyana captain and national coach, Simphiwe Dludlu, that elite performance is engineered, not improvised.

Using the Long-Term Athlete Development (LTAD) model, Dludlu stressed that respecting physical and cognitive growth stages is non-negotiable. Her message resonated with everyone from the soccer pitch to the chess board.

“If you are tired, your body cannot focus. Chess needs a sound mind. If you are exhausted, you cannot perform.” — Simphiwe Dludlu

Dludlu challenged every attendee to commit to exercising at least twice a week. Third-year footballer Thembisile Nxumalo called the session a wake-up call: “Coach Dludlu made it clear that discipline carries you further than talent.”

Safeguarding: Protecting the Future
Patience Shikwambana, COO of the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC), shifted the focus to the vital issue of safeguarding. She defined it simply: the right of every athlete to participate free from harm, harassment, or abuse.

Key Takeaways on Safety:
Safety starts with the individual: You have the choice to walk away if a boundary is crossed.

Report without fear: Recognising early warning signs is crucial.

Institutional Duty: Safety is both a personal and university-wide responsibility.

Karateka Tshiamo Sefolo reflected on the weight of the discussion: “Hearing that 93% of reported cases are genuine shocked me. Speaking up is not overreacting—it is protecting your future.”

The Hard Truth of Anti-Doping
Anti-doping specialist Loyiso Maqina closed the workshop with a stark lesson on strict liability. In the world of competitive sport, athletes are 100% responsible for what is in their bodies, regardless of intent.

Topic Critical Information
Supplements Warning against unverified products; they often contain prohibited substances.
Medication Certain medications require a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE).
Certification The ADEL e-learning certificate is now mandatory for international representation.
Consequences A four-year suspension is the standard penalty for violations.
“I didn’t realise how easy it is to fail a test accidentally,” admitted final-year rugby player Sanele Mhlongo. “From now on, I will check everything.”

Building Responsible Athletes
The workshop was the brainchild of SMU Sports Officer Busisiwe Sijora, who viewed the day as a deliberate intervention.

“We are building more than teams—we are building responsible athletes. If our students are to compete nationally and internationally, they must understand development, safeguarding and compliance. Excellence demands knowledge.” — Busisiwe Sijora