South Africa’s Top 100 Shining Stars were recently named and two of USSA’s very own featured in the Sports and Recreation Category namely Shonisani Masutha and Kesa Molotsane.
The quality of a country’s youth determines the quality of its future and it is for this reason that Inside Education celebrates brilliant young minds shaping South Africa’s development through excellence. These are trailblazers contributing towards community and economic growth in their various fields.
Masutha had this to say about her inclusion in this prestigious list: “With every milestone, lift others as you rise. Being the first is a great stride, remaining the only one is the greatest failure of a leader. Being named South Africa’s 100 Shining Star is a reminder to keep opening doors for others too.”
USSA was the first national executive committee which Masutha served in, and she reiterates that, “This experience enabled me to ascend and effectively contribute to regional, continental and international structures. I grew from being a national representative to becoming a proactive international ambassador, team leader, mentor and interview host.”
Shonisani Masutha’s Biography: Shonisani Masutha is a young woman who was born and raised in the informal settlement of Kliptown, Soweto. Through tenacity, she has risen above her underprivileged background, where crime, poverty, substance abuse and teenage pregnancy was an accepted norm.
Today, she is a trailblazer in sport who has served in both local and international sporting federations. She is currently part of the organizing committee of the Volunteer Leaders Academy of the International University Sports Federation (FISU), which equips emerging sport management leaders with the necessary skills to handle volunteer services at major sporting events.
Her accolades include being student ambassador for the FISU and chairperson of the Student Committee for the Federation of Africa University Sports (FASU). She also holds the position of executive student assessor for the Confederation of University and Colleges Sports Association (CUCSA) for Africa Region 5. She graduated with a Master of Sports Administration from the Russian International Olympic University.
Accompanying Masutha on the list is Kesa Molotsane, who said this after receiving the news of her inclusion to the list: “I am really honored to be named amongst such a highly decorated group of candidates. It gives me so much pleasure to share my gift with the world; especially disadvantage communities. I have vowed to empower young individuals; with the focus on girls, through my talent and passion.”
USSA played a pivotal role in Molotsane’s journey and she expresses gratitude to the organization by saying: “I was privileged enough to have USSA as a platform to showcase my talent. It has become a greater part of my athletics development, on and off the field. I associated myself with USSA from my student days; to this day. I am thankful for all the opportunities; and I believe that my work should encourage and extend platforms to women in sports, just as USSA have granted opportunities for me.”
Kesa Molotsane’s Biography:Kesa Molotsane is a professional middle-distance runner from the Free State. She holds a number of national titles and is regarded as one of the most versatile athletes in the Mangaung region.
Molotsane runs in three disciplines: track and field, cross country and road running; exceling in all three.In 2016 she broke the 1500m record at the Varsity Athletics event held in Stellenbosch. The following year she went on to win the Spar Grand Prix Women’s 10 Km Challenge in Pietermaritzburg.
Molotsane has represented South Africa at the World Student Games and at two World Athletics Championships in 2017 and 2019.She is a proud ambassador for the ASICS sports equipment company, Spar Grand Prix and the Mother and Child Academic Hospital Foundation (MACAH).
On behalf of USSA we would like to send our congratulations to both Shoni and Kesa, thank you for being stewards of change in sport and carrying the USSA name in such great light. We salute you and hope you continue with your selfless work in sport in South Africa and around the world!
