Professor Zeblon Vilakazi, Wits University’s vice-chancellor and principal, recently honoured all the ‘witsies’ who competed at and contributed to the Tokyo Olympics with a celebratory gift at The Wits Club.
Alumna Josie Milella worked at the Tokyo Olympics and Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games as an appointed volunteer for hockey and rowing. Milella is also the current general manager of Southern Gauteng Hockey.
Fellow alumnus Rusten Abrahams represented South Africa in the Olympics Men’s Hockey team (indoor and outdoor) and he is also the 2021 Wits Sportsman of the Year. He has a BHSc honours degree in biokinetics from the university.
Another honouree at the event was Siyabonga Kunene who is currently serving as Wits sport and health director of research. He is also a lecturer and an emerging researcher in the field of musculoskeletal physiotherapy (sports) in the physiotherapy department. Kunene is currently completing his PhD.
Robyn Johnson was part of the South African national women’s hockey team that qualified for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics (indoor and outdoor). She is also the 2019 Wits Sportswoman of the year and three-time Wits graduate.
Head coach of the South African men’s hockey team Garreth Ewing is said to be a legend in the coaching world and has won multiple varsity hockey, university sports South Africa and premier league titles. The men’s hockey team finished fifth at the Games, their highest finish ever.
