Unisan appointed psychologist for Team South Africa at the Paris 2024 Olympics

Unisan Dr Koketjo Tsebe has consistently demonstrated a profound understanding of the mental challenges faced by elite athletes. Her research and contributions to the field have earned her widespread recognition, making her an invaluable asset not only to South African sports and the Olympic team, but to the sports psychology discipline in the country. In addition, she makes a major contribution in the university’s Health/Pharmaceutical Studies catalytic niche area by elevating sports psychology on a global scale, fostering knowledge transfer in enriching the university’s curriculum, and creating a real-world impact in the practical application of the university’s academic knowledge.

Dr Koketjo Tsebe

As Team SA prepares to compete on the global stage at the Paris 2024 Olympics, Tsebe's expertise will be instrumental in helping the athletes achieve their full potential and to bring the prizes home.

In addition to her academic and professional roles, Tsebe was recently appointed as a board member for Boxing South Africa by former Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Zizi Kodwa, and serves on the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS) Anti-Doping Appeals Board, appointed by former Minister Nathi Mthethwa. She has also been recognised in the Mail and Guardian's list of 200 Young South Africans in the sports category.

Speaking about her excitement at assuming this new role, Tsebe cheerfully explains that she is humbled and equally proud to be entrusted with such a responsibility to support Team South Africa at the Paris Olympics. “The Olympics are a leading and prestigious international sporting event which accommodates many sporting codes worldwide,” she adds.

Tsebe asserts that her role as an academic at the university is linked to this remarkable role. She explains: “I am involved in teaching sports psychology and supervising master’s and doctoral students in the field. Being a supervisor means that I am constantly engaging in the learning material around sports psychology, exploring current trends and topics. Most importantly, as an academic, I advocate for empirical evidence which helps me to establish appropriate interventions.”

Regarding her position at the Olympics, Tsebe affirms that her role is to provide psychological support to Team South Africa athletes and support staff where necessary. She adds: “I may not be able to determine the outcome as our interventions are process-driven, however, I do know that we remain committed to serving and supporting our athletes.”

Regarding some of the biggest challenges that athletes face, Tsebe states that along with fatigue and pressure, athletes often grapple with exhaustion, immense pressure, heightened stress, and anxiety. To address these challenges, Tsebe aims to create a supportive environment where athletes feel comfortable seeking help. Her role involves providing tailored mental health support and interventions to meet the specific needs of each athlete.

Tsebe was recently hosted by the BBC’s The Conversation podcast in an episode titled Sports psychologists for elite athletes,  as a build-up to the Olympics, where she further elaborated on her role in various sporting codes in the country.

Concluding her message, Tsebe states that she is grateful for the support from the university management, colleagues, and students she gets to work with, and who have immensely contributed towards her success and in supporting both her career and academic pursuits, stating, “Motho ke motho ka batho.”

Tsebe's appointment is a testament to the growing importance of mental health in sports performance. With her guidance, Team South Africa is poised to not only excel physically but also conquer the mental challenges that come with world-stage competitions. The university’s staff, students and alumni are immensely proud of her trailblazing strides, and her many achievements in illuminating the brilliance of the university to the globe.

* By Godfrey Madibane, Acting Journalist, Department of Institutional Advancement