The international careers of Madibaz sports officials Melinda Goosen and Cheryl Kotze are making waves as the pair gear up to manage South Africa’s aquatics team at the prestigious World University Games.
Taking place from July 16 to 27 in the Rhine-Ruhr region of Germany, the Games will bring together thousands of elite student-athletes from across the globe, marking yet another high-profile chapter in the careers of Goosen and Kotze.
Goosen, who heads up swimming at Nelson Mandela University, has been appointed to lead the diving squad, while Kotze, a club administrator, will manage the men’s swimming team.
Although this will be Goosen’s fifth appearance at the Games, she says the opportunity remains as thrilling as ever.
“It’s a massive and spectacular occasion,” she said.
“I’ll never forget the moment Tatjana Schoenmaker won Team South Africa’s first medal at the Games. It captured the spirit of the event and remains one of my fondest memories.”
Schoenmaker, now a household name in South African sport, went on to win Olympic gold in both 2020 and 2024 before her retirement.
For Goosen, managing the four-member diving squad presents a new and exciting challenge, especially since divers have only featured in the team once before. She is already deep into the logistics and planning required to ensure a smooth experience for athletes at what she calls “the premier international event for student-athletes.”
Beyond the logistics, both Goosen and Kotze’s responsibilities will include overseeing athlete training compliance, coordinating travel, and handling crucial administrative tasks with the local organising committee.
Kotze, who led the USSA swimming team at the 2023 Games in Chengdu, China (postponed from 2021 due to COVID-19), is no stranger to the world stage.
“It was as close to the Olympic experience as you could get,” she recalled.
“Walking into the packed stadium behind the South African flag as Chinese president Xi Jinping opened the ceremony is a moment I’ll never forget.”
That year’s South African team excelled in the pool, with swimmers collecting seven of the nation’s 20 medals.
Preparations for this year’s Games began as far back as September, with the Madibaz pair holding monthly briefings with USSA’s high-performance committee and engaging directly with head coaches.
“Now that the team has been selected, the real work begins,” Kotze said, praising the continued support from University Sports South Africa.
“There’s a dedicated team we can turn to at any time. Their support has been invaluable. It really does take a village.”
Kotze will be working alongside returning coaches Marco Markgraaff (Kovsies) and Keenan Riffel (Tuks), forming a seasoned trio known for their teamwork and cohesion.
“The three of us know each other well and work seamlessly together,” Kotze noted.
“That strong team dynamic makes a huge difference when you’re competing on the world stage.”
With their extensive experience and strong leadership, Goosen and Kotze are poised to guide South Africa’s aquatics team through another memorable international campaign.
Story credit: Coetzee Gouws, Full Stop Communication
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