Prof De Beer hailed Caster for the shining example she has set for her fellow Tukkies.

“She is an inspiration to us all. The University will continue to follow Ms Semenya’s progress with pride and hope that she will go from strength to strength in her athletics career,” added Prof De Beer.

TuksSport Director Mr Kobus van der Walt commented: “Caster took the world by storm with her remarkable win in Berlin. She has become a house hold name in world athletics in less than a week. We are very proud of her and her coach, Michael Seme, and thank the thousands world wide who have been supporting them since Caster became the new world champion.”

On behalf of TuksSport Mr Van der Walt undertook to support and aid Caster in any way possible.

Both Prof De Beer and Mr Van der Walt also paid tribute to the achievements of Khotso Makoena (silver medal in the long jump men) and Karen Mey Melis (bronze medal in the long jump women). Both are registered Tuks athletes.