About Us
UMBHOXO. UMBENGO. IGWIJO.
About Ubumbo
In 2002, Qhama Cossie, a then final year medical student at the University of Cape Town assembled an Internal Rugby League aiming to integrate black players. It was a concept for some time, as most players coming from outside Cape Town found it challenging to integrate with the culture at UCT and even more so at the UCT RFC.
UCT is a rugby elite, where numerous players didn’t see out their rugby playing years – be it to experience or perception. Minority players felt like outsiders – this was the case for Qhama and those he recruited, the majority of which were from his home province the Eastern Cape.
By 2004, Ubumbo evolved from an internal league to part of the UCT Rugby Club and also become a feeder club – Ubumbo Rugby Club. Thando Gobe and Sipelele Mnyani took charge of this transition, with the encouragement of each Ubumbo player to join a UCT team. The strategy here was, more game time for players; a platform to showcase talented players that couldn’t be ignored by biased coaches; and a home for UCT players recovering from injury to get some game time.
During this time, the UCT RFC had adopted Lagunya Rugby Club in Nyanga as their development partner where they were to offer equipment and coaching to their junior teams. Ubumbo put their hands up for the job, with Malibuye Tom and Vuyisile Mbula leading the project. Ubumbo were out there every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon coaching boys (and girls) from under 11 to under 16. The unintended consequence of this involvement led to Ubumbo players playing for UCT, coupled with the hands-on resource in the development programme, and more involvement in club activities.
In October 2008 the first Ubumbo Festival was held, with the UCT offering their fields, funding and support. As a predominantly black rugby side on campus, we wanted to create awareness about our ability to play the game but also simply to take black rugby out of the townships and bring it to suburbia for a weekend.
Teams based in rural/township areas would also have an opportunity to showcase their talent in more advanced facilities.The focus was the camaraderie, sportsmanship and brotherhood that rugby brings. As per Ubumbo tradition, players and spectators engage in the singing of traditional folk songs (amagwijo).
What has always been synonymous with Ubumbo is singing. Singing was prevalent at practice and in the changing rooms before the game. Our supporters sang for us as we played and we sang after each game. The spirit of gwijo was always present.
Ubumbo means to shape or come together. During a time when these young men were shaping their future, little did they know that they were shaping a bond through rugby. The likes of Mpho Mbiyozo, Sakhi Gqeba, Khaya Sontsele, Mwali Soul and Herbert Mayosi were to be counted amongst those who had either played for Ubumbo or had some club involvement.
As our Ubumbo family grows, so does our causes. The essence of Ubumbo is ubuntu. By installing humanity to those around us, our various initiatives become our driving force. Ubumbo will always provide a platform to those who need it the most. Be it through rugby, be it through song!
Our Executive Committee is the driving force behind Ubumbo. They aspire to influence members to uplift the community using sport as their medium.
Thando Gobe
President
Lifa Ghana
Deputy President
Phiwe Ndinisa
Secretary-General
Kayalethu Nodada
Treasurer
Patrick Kayanja
Players Representative
Siyamthanda Songca
Marketing
Nwabisa Nobatana
Fundraising & Partnerships
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Bank Name: Ubumbo Club
Account type: Cheque
Account Number: 62806185410
Branch Code: 250655
Reference: Full Name
Our Partners & Sponsors
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Upcoming Events
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Testimonials
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