Dr Koketjo Tsebe

The University of South Africa (Unisa) proudly celebrates a remarkable milestone as Dr Koketjo Tsebe, a renowned sports psychologist, secures dual international appointments, reinforcing her growing influence in sport psychology on the global stage.

Recognised for her expertise and leadership, Tsebe has been selected as a psychologist for the prestigious Proteas Women's cricket team at the ICC Women's T20 World Cup in England and Wales from 12 June to 5 July 2026, and as the psychologist for Team South Africa at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games in Scotland from 23 July to 2 August 2026. This extraordinary achievement underscores her commitment to athlete performance, mental wellness and sporting excellence.

These high-profile appointments not only highlight Tsebe’s professional accomplishments but also position Unisa at the forefront of international sport psychology. Her growing global footprint reflects the increasing recognition of South African expertise in shaping the future of sport and athlete development worldwide.

As Tsebe continues to break new ground, her journey serves as an inspiration to aspiring sport professionals and is a testament to the transformative impact of excellence, dedication and innovation in sport psychology.

These appointments represent another significant milestone in the career of one of South Africa’s leading sport psychologists and academics. Tsebe has supported the Proteas Women in the last two ICC World Cups: the ICC T20 World Cup in Dubai in 2024 and the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup in India and Sri Lanka in 2025. In both tournaments, the Proteas Women reached the final. In the 2025 World Cup, the head coach acknowledged the valuable role Tsebe played in preparing the team for the demands of international competition.

Her appointment to the Commonwealth Games represents a further vote of confidence in her expertise and contribution to high-performance sport. As part of Team South Africa’s support staff, Tsebe will play a key role in helping athletes navigate the psychological demands of competing on one of the world’s largest multi-sport stages. The appointment not only highlights her growing influence in elite sport but also reflects the increasing recognition of sport psychology as an essential component of athlete preparation and performance at international level.

Tsebe’s latest appointments build on an impressive track record of service to South African sport. Over the years, Tsebe has provided psychological support across various national teams and major international competitions. She has previously served as a team psychologist at global and continental events, including the FIFA Women's World Cup in New Zealand and Australia in 2023, the African Games and the Paris Olympic Games, among other high-performance sporting environments

Her contributions have helped athletes navigate the mental demands of elite competition while fostering mental toughness and team cohesion. In addition, her expertise has earned her widespread recognition within the sports sector. In 2025, she was appointed as the Chairperson of the High-Performance Psychology Working Group of the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC). This role further highlights her influence in shaping psychological support systems for South African athletes.

As a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Psychology at Unisa, Tsebe exemplifies the scholar-practitioner model through her seamless integration of academic excellence and high-performance sport. She continues to apply evidence-based psychological interventions that strengthen athletes’ wellbeing, resilience and capacity to thrive under pressure.

For Unisa, Tsebe’s accomplishments stand as a powerful testament to the institution’s mission of cultivating scholars whose work extends far beyond the lecture room, generating meaningful, real-world impact. Her engagement in international sport further underscores how rigorous academic insight can be translated into practical, high-impact solutions that shape policy, advance athlete development, and contribute to national and global sporting success.

* By Dr Khabo Maduna, Communication and Marketing Specialist, College of Human Sciences