FACE 2 FACE
with University Sports South Africa (USSA) Squash Group D winner Kweku Gavor of Komani
Question: Tell us about your background?
Answer: My parents moved to South Africa from Ghana in the early 90s and I was born in Cacadu, formerly known as Lady Frere. Soon after, we moved to Komani. I have an older brother who lives in Ghana and a younger sister who studies at GHS. I spent my schooling years at Queen’s College and was involved in many activities including first team squash.
After matriculating in 2014, I moved to Bloemfontein and enrolled at the University of the Free State studying for a Bachelor of Commerce, specialising in marketing. I represented my residence in the varsity’s squash league winning the knockout tournament in 2015 and the residence league in 2017 and 2018 respectively. I have played in the Bloemfontein squash league since 2016 and have represented them at USSA for the last two years.
Q: What are you passionate about?
A: My passions include business ventures and entrepreneurship, watching and participating in sport and travelling around the world. Most of my goals are centered around travelling the world, seeing new places, meeting new people and exploring different cultures.
Q: You recently won an important match in the USSA squash tourney?
A: USSA is a sports tournament that involves various universities in the country. This year the squash was hosted in Port Elizabeth by Nelson Mandela University. Players are seeded and play in an individual tournament. Our results are used to rank us and then we play for the next three days for final rankings.
For the first time I played in the final my section and won 3-1. The University of the Free State was put in the A section playing against the best of the best which was a great achievement. In the end we were ranked eighth in the country.
Q: What are some of the challenges you face as a student?
A: My challenges as a student are being able to balance the freedom of being away from home while having the responsibility of being an adult at a tertiary institution trying to obtain a degree.
Q: If you were stuck on an island, what are the three things you would like to have with you?
A: Fire to cook food, keep warm and ward off predators. A water filtration device for desalination of the sea water. A knife for protection and to build a shelter to camp in.
Q: If you were granted the opportunity to have lunch with a famous personality, who would it be and, why?
A: I’m caught between Floyd Mayweather and N’Golo Kante but I would have to go with Floyd Mayweather. He talks a big game and backs it up all the time .He believes in his abilities because he has worked extremely hard. How he focuses on his boxing, first studying and analysing his opponent and then using their strengths against them is an ability that almost nobody in boxing has done.
Q: The late President Nelson Mandela will be remembered tomorrow. What do you think South Africans and Africans as a whole should do to honour this world icon?
A: What we as Africans can do is remember Mandela’s ideals and beliefs. He stood for equality among everyone, no matter what that person’s background, race, beliefs or creed.
Q: If you were given the chance to change one thing about Komani, what would it be?
A: Komani used to be known as a very clean town. I feel that campaigns against littering should be implemented and residents of the town need to take charge and responsibility to look after their town and to keep it clean.
Q: What has Queen’s College taught you?
A: Queen’s College taught me a lot. At the time we did not realise the importance of what we had learnt, but later on in life you begin to see what an influence such a school plays in your life. I learnt responsibility, respect and belief in myself and my abilities to go out into the world knowing I can achieve whatever I want as long as I work hard, have faith and believe.