Luvo Manyongo is a former SA Track and Field
champion, specialising in long jump. 
He achieved the 2017 World Championship in London and the 2018 Commonwealth Games title in the Gold Coast, Australia, as well as securing the Olympic silver medal in 2016 in Rio de Janeiro. 
 
Manyonga's accolades also include being the world junior champion in 2010 and the African Games champion in 2011. He participated in the 2011 World Championships in Athletics, achieving fifth place, and was the runner-up
at the 2016 African Championships in Athletics. Furthermore, his personal best stands at 8.65 m (28 ft 4+1⁄2 in), which was set in 2017 in Potchefstroom.
 
Notably, Manyonga has faced two doping bans during his career. His most recent ban, issued in June 2021, resulted in a four-year suspension due to his failure to provide adequate information to complete drug testing, extending until December 2024.

Episode 10: Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics Podcast with Luvo Manyonga

Dr. Koketjo Tsebe, Ph.D., is a registered Clinical Psychologist with the Health Professions Council Of South Africa (HPCSA). 
She has acquired extensive experience across various sectors including hospitals, corporate environments, sports, and academia. Her professional engagements have included tenures at prominent institutions such as the Military Hospital, Steve Biko Academic Hospital, South Africa Police Services, and Tshwane Rehabilitation Hospital. 
Presently, Dr. Tsebe provides consultation services to inpatients at Zwavelstream Clinic and Mediclinic Medforum.
In her current capacity as a Senior Lecturer at the University of South Africa (UNISA), she is deeply involved in delivering postgraduate modules on subjects such as Sports Psychology, Psycho-legal Psychology, Community Psychology, and Psychological Assessment. Additionally, she assumes the role of supervisor for master's and Doctoral students specialising in sports psychology research. She also serves as the Coordinator of Engaged Scholarship and Academic Citizenship. Her scholarly contributions have been showcased at both local and international sport psychology conferences and have been published in Department of Higher Education and Training accredited journals.
Dr. Tsebe’s expertise as a Sports Psychology Consultant is underscored by her work with various national sporting codes and professional athletes. Noteworthy roles she has undertaken include Team Psychologist for the South African Senior Women’s Football National Team (Banyana Banyana) during the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, and team psychologist for Softball South Africa. Her impact extends to her consulting services for the Spar Proteas (netball national team) and the Limpopo Academy of Sports.
As an Invited Speaker, she has presented on mental health in sports at numerous esteemed organisations including the Carling Black Label Cup, SASCOC Athletes Indaba, and the University of Fort Hare in collaboration with the Eastern Cape Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture.
Her insights as a media commentator in the domain of sports psychology are sought after by leading media outlets such as SABC TV and Radio Stations, SuperSport, ESPN, eNCA, and Timeslive.
In addition to her professional roles, she engages actively in leadership positions, serving as a member of the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) High-Performance Psychology Working Group, and as an Anti-Doping Appeal Board Member for the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS). She also contributes as a Steering Committee Member of the South African Society for Sport and Exercise Psychology (SASSEP) and serves on the Tshwane University Academic Advisory Board - Sport Management. Dr. Tsebe’s standing in the industry has been recognised through accolades such as the 200 Young South Africans (under the sport category) by Mail and Guardian, and her nomination as a Special Recognition Award finalist in the Momentum Gsport Awards and Limpopo Department of Sports, Arts and Culture Sports Awards.

Episode 9: The psychological interventions based on the findings of Operation Refuge

Wafeekah is the Legal Manager at the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS). She is based in Cape Town and is considered one of the leading female sports lawyers in South Africa. She obtained her Law Degree at the University of Pretoria with admittance as an attorney since 2009. Wafeekah holds a cum laude certificate with FIFA/CIES Sports Management obtained from the Nelson Mandela University (2010) and a Master’s Degree in International Sports law obtained from Instituto Superior en Derecho y Economia (ISDE, Madrid 2013). Her passions lie in the combination of sports and law which began from a young age as a former provincial hockey and cricket player for North Gauteng. Her involvement in sport extended to managing junior provincial hockey teams and community based football club Clyde Pinelands FC.

Anti-Doping in Sport and Results Management of tribunal systems and dispute resolutions are not her only expertise. She has worked at the South African Football Association as a Project Manager for Legal and Compliance, been involved with safeguarding in sport projects and is currently involved in the drafting of sporting legislation with the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture. Being selected as a cohort to the Supersport Industry Leaders Program with Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS), one can without a doubt agree that she holds a respected position within the sporting industry. She has proven to lead within the field of sports law with honesty and integrity and has always opened her door to mentoring others. She has been recently appointed as a member to the Inquiry Panel for the National Horseracing Authority and Anti-Doping Panel member on the International Paralympic Committee (IPC). Her motto is “in matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock” by Thomas Jefferson. 

Ashley’s  inaugural professional MMA match occurred on 02/12/2010 at EFC 06. He  showcased his versatility by fighting across weight classes, ranging from light heavyweight down to featherweight, in both amateur and professional competitions. Embracing the motto #nevergiveup, he consistently accepted all challenges and opponents. As part of the coaching team for World of Warriors, he contributed to the development of aspiring
fighters. Additionally, he served as a part owner of C5 MMA. Currently, he leverages his expertise as a matchmaker at EFC, orchestrating compelling matchups for the promotion.

Episode 11: The Knockout conversation

Khalid Galant, Chief Executive Officer of the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS) has a Master of Sports Science degree in sports medicine from the United States Sport Academy that he obtained in 1994. 
He has served as the CEO of SAIDS since 2008.
He started his career in South Africa as the Deputy Director for National Dept of Sport and Recreation from 1995 until 1997, where he served as a departmental manager (scientific and information services in sport) and speech-writer to a national cabinet minister (Minister of Sport), then from 1997- 2000, he was the Managing Director for SAIDS, where he managed and administered a start-up international sports organization with a multi-million dollar annual budget . Secured substantial sponsorships and grants to supplement revenue stream.
In 2001- 2004, Khalid developed and administered the marketing strategy for Parks and Recreation agency to foster long term financial sustainability of aquatic theme park and other sport related facilities.
And now as the Chief Executive Officer for The South African Institute for Drug- Free Sport, his role involves be accountable for the policy development, fiscal administration, statutory compliance and overall management of an international sports anti-doping agency. The agency delivers all drug testing services at national and international sports events.

Episode 8: Chinese Swimming Doping Scandal with SAIDS CEO, Khalid Galant

Dr Zondi is truly an accomplished professional with a diverse set of experiences in healthcare and leadership. 
She is a Sports and Exercise Medicine (SEM) Physician and business executive who currently serves as the Clinical Lead and COO for Standard Bank's health tech platform, Unu Health. Moreover, she owns a consultancy firm, PCZ Consulting (Pty) Ltd, which offers advisory services in medical strategy, business development, and project execution in the sports and health sectors.
Dr Zondi holds several prominent positions, including Chairperson of the Medical Advisory Commission for the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC), Director at Sharks Rugby Union, Associate Editor for the British Journal of Sports Medicine, medical advisor to Virgin Active Africa, and trustee of the South African Women in Sport Foundation. 
She has also served as President of the South African Sports Medicine Association from 2015 to 2017 and as CEO of the Sports Science Institute of South Africa from 2016 to 2020.
Dr Zondi has extensive clinical experience as a team physician in a variety of sports codes and has served as Chief Medical Officer for Team South Africa at the Commonwealth Games, World Games, Olympic Games, and Paralympics Games.
 Her current clinical and research interests are focused on improving female athlete health, and she is involved with several national and international advocacy groups that aim for equity and transformation in health and sport.
Dr Zondi's contributions to sports and medicine in South Africa are remarkable, and her efforts were acknowledged in August 2017 when she was conferred a Ministerial Recognition Award.

Episode 7: Supplement Use Among Minors

Our guest, Dr Lervasen Pillay, holds an MBChB from UP and MSc(Med)Sports Medicine from Wits, he has 3 private sports and exercise medicine practices around Johannesburg (Sandton Sports Medicine, Mediworx-s and Constantia Kloof Sports and Exercise Medicine) where he cares for different levels of athletes in Football, Cricket, Rugby, Gymnastics, horse-riders and Athletics for over 18 years.

He is presently a PhD candidate regarding male football player health surveillance in the international football environment done jointly with the University of Amsterdam and University of Pretoria.

Other involvement includes being a post graduate lecturer, examiner, supervisor and researcher at Wits (WiSH and CESSM) and University of Pretoria for Honours and Masters students, the Therapeutic Use Exemption Commission Chairperson at South African Institute for Drug Free Sport (SAIDS), a SASCOC accredited provider, a preferred provider for Wits Sport and the CMO for Events Medical Consulting.

He is also on the EXCO of the South African Sports Medicine Association. Previously he was the SA CMO at World Champs Daegu 2011, Africa Champs Benin 2012, AUSC games Angola 2016, Bidvestwits FC head of medical (2007-2017), Orlando Pirates team doctor (2017-2020), Protouch cycling team doctor (2017-2022), PSL CMO (2020-2022 – developing the return to football guidelines with COVID19), PSL Medical group secretary and Doping Control Officer for the 2009 Confederations Cup at Loftus, Central Gauteng Lions head of Medical (2015 to 2022).

He is and has been involved in several educational CPD series with Wits Institute for Sport Health (WiSH), private institutions, societies and has attended and presented at several local and international conferences, television and radio interviews on several sports and exercise medicine related issues over the last 19 years.

He has authored and co-authored several sports and exercise medicine related publications and position statements in peer reviewed journals. He is a terrible golfer and an even worst guitar player.

Episode 6: The Use Of Medication To Treat ADHD And The Use Of Asthma Inhalers In Sport

Mariske completed her BSc (Sport Science ) degree at the University of Stellenbosch in 2016. She started her racing career at a tender age of 10 and has been lining up on start lines ever since.

She began racing competitively in 2008 and went on to represent South Africa for the first time in Italy that same year. 

She has been SA XCO Champion a total of 15 times and represented South Africa at the 2014 & 2018  Commonwealth Games. She came 2nd & 3rd in the 2017&2018 ABSA Cape Epic and was selected for the 2015 Mail&Guardian Top 200 Young South Africans in 2015.

Episode 5: Athlete Whereabouts Talk With Mariske Strauss

EFC founded in late 2009, has pioneered mixed martial arts (MMA) on the African continent.

Cairo Howarth is a co-founder and President of EFC. Thanks to a world-class team, over the last fourteen years EFC has built the sport into one of the most talked-about sports in Africa, and the brand into one of the most recognisable sports properties on the continent and a global MMA leader.

Headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa, EFC has contracted the best African MMA talent plus top athletes from around the globe, and now has over 200 world-class athletes exclusively signed to the organisation.

With television broadcast deals in over 120 countries, EFC is one of the most watched sports properties on the continent, one of the world’s most widely distributed MMA organisations and is respected globally for consistently delivering high-quality events and broadcast content.

SAIDS position statement on CBD/ THC informs athletes about the dangers of consuming this substance without a TUE.

Using these substances may inadvertently expose an athlete to the possibility of an adverse analytical finding ( testing positive) and a sanction.

It's crucial that athletes understand the risks of an ADRV should these products be used without a TUE.

In 2023, the threshold limit for THC in urine changed to 150ng/ml to trigger an analytical finding and 180ng/ ml to decide on a sanction.

Athletes should be familiar with the term ' strict liability'- which means that its the athlete's sole responsibility to ensure that they are not using a prohibited substance, whether self administered, prescribed by a health care practitioner or issued over the counter.

Please refer to the full position statement on the SAIDS website.

Episode 4: CBD/ THC prohibited In-Competition Talk With EFC President, Cairo Howarth

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