“VUT Tourism graduate Motaung Kabelo Kagiso celebrates Spring Graduation, showcasing a journey of discipline, dedication & sporting excellence from volleyball to USSA Gold.”
23 September 2025 | Story By: Qhawekazi Memani | Picture: Supplied
2 minutes read time.
Mr Motaung Kabelo Kagiso, a Tourism Management graduate from Mpumalanga, celebrated his achievements at the VUT Spring Graduations, marking the culmination of years of dedication both on the volleyball court and in the classroom.
Mr Motaung discovered his passion for volleyball in 2016 during an Inter-Provincial Tournament in Bloemfontein, where he represented Mpumalanga. “There was a University Sport South Africa (USSA) team in that tournament that had players from the Vaal University of Technology (VUT), and the volleyball they were playing was exceptional. I couldn’t believe what I was watching,” he recalled. From that moment, his goal was clear: he wanted to be part of the USSA team, and VUT became his destination. “Seeing the level of volleyball at VUT, I knew I wanted to be developed there,” he explained.
One of Mr Motaung’s most unforgettable moments was being selected for the USSA team in the Central and Southern Africa Sports Association Games in Pretoria in 2024, where the team won Gold. “It was a dream come true. Initially, I just wanted to be part of the team, I didn’t care about winning or losing, but we ended up taking Gold.”
Throughout his time at VUT, Mr Motaung also achieved recognition as the best defender in Club Champs (2023), and in USSA Beach Volleyball Championships (2024) and Indoor (2025), alongside winning USSA Gold three times.
Mr Motaung credits his success to focus and discipline. “At VUT, you’re told you can only focus on two things: school and volleyball. If you add distractions, like chasing women or alcohol, neither will work. I came to VUT out of love for the sport, so it was easy to stay disciplined.”
Support from his coach was also pivotal. “Once you become part of VUT volleyball, you become family. Our coach wants us to win in life even more than on the court,” he said.
Volleyball has shaped Mr Motaung’s character, endurance, confidence, and resilience. He encourages fellow students to adopt a champion’s mindset, as VUT is a place where champions meet, both academically and in sport.
Looking ahead, Mr Motaung plans to further his studies while exploring career opportunities, keeping volleyball as part of his life, though he is focused on reaching his professional and academic goals first.
Reflecting on his VUT journey, he describes it in one word: golden. “I had the opportunity to spend time with those who came before me, learning from them and embracing the VUT volleyball culture. That guidance has kept me winning ever since.”