A Master’s student in Philosophy (Sport for Development) from the University of the Western Cape (UWC) represented South Africa at one of the world’s leading programmes in Olympic Studies, returning with new knowledge, global connections and fresh inspiration for research in Olympic education and sport for development.
Olympic studies
Zelda Makamu, a Master’s student in the Department of Sport, Recreation and Exercise Science at UWC, proudly represented South Africa at the 33rd International Seminar on Olympic Studies for Postgraduate Students, held at the International Olympic Academy (IOA) in Ancient Olympia, Greece, from 3 to 25 July 2026.
According to the IOA, Olympic education uses the Olympic philosophy and the values of the Olympic movement — such as friendship, respect, and fair play — for people to grow and develop good character through sports.Intensive programme
The IOA welcomed postgraduate students, academics and Olympic scholars from across the world for an intensive three-week programme exploring Olympic education, ethics, governance, sustainability, leadership and the role of sport in creating positive social change. The seminar combined lectures, workshops, research discussions, cultural exchanges and visits to the archaeological site of Ancient Olympia.
For Zelda, the experience was academically enriching and personally transformative. Studying in the birthplace of the Olympic Games offered a unique opportunity to connect the history of the Olympic movement with contemporary research and practice.
Ancient Olympia
“Studying in Ancient Olympia gave me a completely new perspective on Olympic education. Learning from internationally recognised scholars and engaging with students from different countries challenged me to think more broadly about how Olympic values can strengthen communities through education and sport,” she said.
Supporting rural researchZelda’s participation directly supports her Master’s research at UWC, which focuses on developing practical guidelines for Olympic education awareness initiatives in rural communities in the Vhembe District of Limpopo. The international exposure provided valuable insights that will strengthen her thesis and help promote Olympic education in South Africa.
Throughout the seminar, participants worked in multicultural groups, exchanged research ideas and built lasting professional networks. These interactions reinforced the importance of international collaboration in addressing global challenges through research and education.
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“One of the greatest lessons I learned is that research becomes stronger when we listen to different perspectives. I returned to South Africa with new knowledge, meaningful friendships and international collaborations that will benefit both my research and my future career,” she reflected.
Supervisor and institutional supportZelda is supervised by Prof Marion Keim, UNESCO Chair for Sport, Development, Peace and Olympic Education at UWC. She credits her supervisor’s mentorship and encouragement for supporting her academic growth and preparing her for international engagement.
The experience also reflects UWC’s commitment to producing globally engaged graduates who contribute to research excellence, social justice and sustainable development. By participating in internationally recognised academic platforms, UWC students continue to strengthen the university’s global reputation while bringing valuable knowledge back to South Africa.
UWC is one of the champions in Africa in this regard, hosting OSRAG, the Olympic Studies Research Action Group, coordinated by Prof Keim and UWC Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Student Development and Support, Prof Matete Madiba, as one of the International Olympic Studies Centres (OSCs) of the IOC, encouraging postgraduate studies and research in this unique field and providing international opportunities for UWC Master’s students.
Zelda was awarded a diploma by the International Olympic Academy in recognition of her participation. She hopes to use the knowledge and international networks developed in Greece to advance Olympic education research and inspire more young researchers to pursue opportunities beyond South Africa.
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