Thanks to a CPUT School Liaison Officer who marketed the university’s courses at Isilimela High School in Langa, Bulelani Mlakalaka opted to pursue a qualification in Sports Management.

Several years after graduating from CPUT, Mlakalaka has no regrets about turning his love for sports into a career.

“This is something that I love and that I enjoy doing,” says Mlakalaka who has been appointed as the Sport Development Officer at the Wellington Campus.

Tasked with developing and overseeing sports at CPUT, Mlakalaka has joined CPUT at an exciting time, as the university prepares to make its debut in the FNB Varsity Shield Cup, a premier inter-university rugby tournament.

Mlakalaka has been playing a key role in the management of the rugby team, which consists of students from the Bellville, Cape Town and Wellington Campuses.

“We have a lot of talent and are hopeful to do well,” he says.

“If we do well in the Varsity Shield, then we will qualify for the Varsity Cup.”

Mlakalaka, who worked at the University of Cape Town before returning to his alma mater, says he is grateful to be part of CPUT at this exciting time and to be able to give back to the university, as well as uncover and develop CPUT’s sporting stars.

Actively involved in sports whilst studying at, Mlakalaka says those years prepared him for the task at hand.

“I know the student’s needs because I was there. I can relate to them,” he says.