New kicks, a generous gesture from an alumna to her alma mater’s basketball team

The University of Fort Hare’s (UFH) Men’s Basketball team recently received a significant boost, thanks to a heartfelt donation from Ms Nolitha Nkomana, an esteemed alumna and founder of the African Footprints of Hope Organization. Through the Kolisi Foundation, Nkomana’s organization has generously provided fourteen pairs of Adidas sneakers to support the team.

Established in 2008, the African Footprints of Hope Organization is dedicated to Youth and Community Development. Ms Nkomana, who worked at UFH from 1987 to 2000, holds a BA, and a Bachelor of Social Science (Honours) degree obtained in 1993 and 1997, respectively.

This is not the first time the organization has supported UFH. According to Ms Nkomana, in 2016, during the Raymond Mhlaba Legacy Project, African Footprints of Hope facilitated a partnership with the university, bringing significant bursary funding.

Her recent donation to the basketball team reflects her continued dedication. When asked about her decision to support the basketball program, she shared, “During my tenure as Head of the Ministry at the Department of Sport & Recreation South Africa, I managed Supreme Council for Sport in Africa Zone VI programmes. Although basketball is popular, I noticed that the most competitive matches were between Angola and Mozambique. Upon learning that UFH had a basketball team, I felt a strong inclination to support it. This donation aims to encourage the team and inspire more students to participate in the sport.”

Nkomana also emphasizes the importance of developing Alice as a University Town. She believes that with UFH’s presence, the town should have advanced further. “Alice should leverage its status as a University Town to enhance its development. The university is a crucial part of the community and should not operate in isolation. Historically, UFH provided employment and access to facilities for local residents, and this spirit of community support should continue,” she stated.

Through her generous actions and forward-thinking vision, Ms Nkomana exemplifies a deep commitment to her alma mater and the broader community.