- Double Excellence: Jana-Mari successfully balances high-level academics as a Master’s student in Industrial Engineering with an elite athletics career.
- National Debut: After six years with the Maties hockey team, she recently earned her first caps for the South African national team (the Proteas) during a winning test series in Canada.
- Transferable Skills: She attributes her success to discipline and time management, noting that the resilience she learns on the field directly complements her academic focus.
Success in both sport and academics requires discipline, resilience and exceptional time management – qualities that Jana-Mari Botha embodies with ease.
Jana-Mari, currently a first-year master’s student in industrial engineering, specialising in supply chain and logistics, previously completed her BSc in agricultural zoology before continuing her academic journey at Stellenbosch. Alongside her studies, she has been a dedicated member of the Maties 1st hockey team for the past six years.
This year marked an important milestone in her sporting career: she won her first matches for the South African national women’s hockey team – the Proteas.
She also shares the field with fellow Protea Jeanri Thomas, a second-year Master’s (Research) in Industrial Engineering student. The pair first met in their first year through Maties hockey and have since built a close friendship on and off the field, making their shared national debut even more special.
We spoke with Jana-Mari to reflect on her journey, what it means to her to represent South Africa, and how she balances elite sport with postgraduate studies.
What does it mean to you to represent the Proteas, and how did it feel to earn your first national test cap?
Representing South Africa is truly an honour, and I am incredibly proud to have earned my first two Tests in a Test series in Canada, which we were fortunate to win. I truly wouldn’t be here without the right support system and my faith, which has grounded me through every step of this journey. Running out in SA colours and singing the national anthem for the first time is something you simply can’t put into words. It has taken a long time to come, built on years of dedication, hard work and a deep passion for this sport.
What exciting games or tournaments are coming up this season?
This year Maties will host the USSA tournament, and we hope to defend our title as back-to-back winners. It is also a big year for the SA team, as it is a World Cup year, and I welcome every opportunity to grow and learn more.
How has sports influenced your academic journey, and what advice would you give to students trying to balance both?
Sport has a way of complementing my studies; the lessons I learn on the field about discipline, structure and resilience carry over into my daily life. With good time management and the right support, you don’t have to choose between your passions, it’s possible to pursue both.
Jana-Mari’s journey is a powerful reminder that excellence is not limited to one arena. Whether in the lecture hall or on the international stage, her dedication, perseverance and passion continue to inspire. The Department of Industrial Engineering is proud to celebrate her achievements and looks forward to cheering her on – both academically and in Protea colours.