In an era where workplace stress, burnout and mental health challenges have become increasingly common, the University of South Africa (Unisa) is using sport as a powerful way to bring people together, improve employee wellbeing and foster a stronger sense of community.

Through the Directorate of Employee Wellness's Sports and Recreation Office, the university has established men's and women's sports teams that encourage staff members to stay active while building meaningful relationships with colleagues across departments and regions.

Among the most established is the Unisa soccer team, a vibrant mix of younger and more experienced employees who proudly represent the university at various sporting events throughout Southern Africa.

The team traces its roots back to the late 1990s and is managed by the executive committee of the Unisa Football Association (UFA). Over the years, it has become a familiar competitor at the Southern African Universities Staff Sports Association (SAUSSA) Games, where university employees from across the Southern African Development Community (SADC) gather to compete, promote healthy lifestyles and strengthen regional ties.

The Unisa team has faced opponents from Zambia, Botswana, Eswatini, Namibia and several other countries. At home, it regularly competes against institutions and organisations, including the Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, the University of Pretoria, the University of Limpopo and Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University.

Reflecting on the team's achievements, UFA Chairperson Fulufhelo Madula said Unisa has built a proud sporting legacy, including an impressive winning streak between 1998 and 2001.

For Madula, however, the greatest victories happen off the field.

"These games strengthen social cohesion by allowing staff members to interact outside the workplace," he said. "They also help participants develop discipline while improving stress and anger management."

He credited the university’s continued support for enabling staff to represent Unisa with pride wherever they compete.

"Because of Unisa, employees can raise the university's flag with dignity alongside other institutions. It reinforces Unisa's reputation as a university that values sport, health and employee wellness," he said.

For many participants, the benefits extend well beyond fitness.

Romeo Palakatsela, an academic in the Department of Psychology, believes the initiative is especially valuable at a university where much of the daily work involves long hours behind a desk.

"Most of the work we do is sedentary, with very little physical activity," he said. "Participating in sport helps me maintain a healthy balance while improving both my physical and mental wellbeing."

Building on the programme's positive impact, the UFA plans to expand participation through upcoming fixtures and tours to Eswatini, the University of the Witwatersrand and the University of Limpopo.

Staff members interested in joining the team are encouraged to get involved and experience the benefits of sport firsthand, from improved wellbeing and stronger workplace relationships to the pride of representing Unisa.

As Madula summed it up: "Sport unites people. It builds discipline, strengthens collegiality and promotes both physical and mental health."

* Article and photo by Victor Malatji, Journalist Intern, Department of Institutional Advancement