SEBOKENG.- Various well-known sports personalities gathered at the Vaal University of Technology (VUT) Sebokeng Campus on Thursday to celebrate World Intellectual Property (IP) Day.

The event, held at the Southern Gauteng Science and Technology Park, featured former Bafana Bafana captain Aaron Mokoena and Cricket South Africa’s Head of High Performance, Grant van Velden. As two of the most decorated figures in their respective sports, they shared their expertise on the role of Intellectual Property in the athletic world.

Mokoena is a legend in SA soccer

Mokoena, who remains South Africa’s most-capped player, spoke about how football has changed through the use of analytics and new technology. He noted that even the design of football boots has been transformed by modern technology.

During the panel discussion, Mokoena admitted that players from his era knew very little about IP. He stressed that young athletes today must be taught about these rights early on.

From the dusty streets of Boipatong

This Bafana Bafana legend gave his brief background from the dusty streets of Boipatong to the world football stage.

“Despite athletes’ achievements, they often don’t get the recognition they deserve regarding their image rights, which is a key part of Intellectual Property,” Mokoena said.

Legal experts were also in attandance

The panel also included legal experts who explained how to protect and profit from human creativity.

The Director and Registered Patent Attorney at Tshaya Mashabela Attorneys, Tumelo Mashabela, and Advocate Rory Voller from the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC), also shared some insights.

The guests were officially welcomed to the campus by VUT Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Khehla Ndlovu. The session served as an important educational platform for understanding how sports and legal protection now go hand-in-hand.