Bontle eyes national championships
She also won the district competitions, which qualified her to compete at the Gauteng Schools Athletics Track and Field Championships 2026.
As the athletics season gets fully underway, athletes across the field are gearing up for an exciting year ahead.
One young athlete, Bontle Makgalemele (8) is already taking the athletics world by storm by setting new records and achieving qualifying times.
Makgalemele is a Grade Four learner at Birnel College in Springs and has a passion for athletics.
She recently qualified to compete at the Gauteng Schools Athletics Track and Field Championships 2026 under the banner of school sports, where she will compete in the 60m and 80m events.
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Her mother, Nosipho Makgalemele, said Bontle started competing at school events before joining the Benoni Northerns Athletics Club in 2024 in pursuit of greater success and growth in the sport.
“In the same year, she competed at the nationals in Bloemfontein, winning the 80m event,” said her mother.
“Recently she joined the Pacers Athletics Club, and she has been excelling in school events, qualifying in all her rounds of competitions to reach the district level.
“She also won the district competitions, which qualified her to compete at the Gauteng Schools Athletics Track and Field Championships 2026.”
Nosipho added that she gives her full support to her children and drives them to training sessions and competitions.
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“Bontle’s brother is also an athlete. It is vital as parents that we support our children by simply being there for them. The moral support from the stands goes a long way,” said Nosipho.
“Our goal this year is to reach the nationals at both school and club level and secure podium positions,” said Nosipho.
Bontle was recently spotted at the Germiston Stadium, where she continues her weekly training.
