SPAR SCHOOL STARS 2026

Ashton International College Ballito swimmer Malakai Seppings (12) delivered an outstanding performance at the recent SA National Junior Age Group Championships in Gqeberha.

The Grade 7 pupil collected an impressive seven medals in the 11-12 age group at the prestigious gala, one for every event he entered.

He won two golds, in butterfly and breaststroke, four silvers and one bronze, with a string of personal best times to boot.

Nduduzo Shezi is a talented all-rounder at Tinley Manor Primary School in Etete.

The Grade 6 pupil is a strong soccer player who recently trialled for Kaizer Chiefs, while leading his school’s recycling team at Siza Water’s recent National Water Week programme.

Pupils participated in an eco-brick activity, filling plastic bottles with waste to create building materials. Each school contributed 20 eco-bricks, with a total of 140 produced, which can be used to build benches and gardens.

Stanger Heights Primary prefect Neliswa Shabane (12) continues to set the benchmark for excellence at her school.

The Grade 7 pupil finished first in her class from Grade 3 to Grade 6 and was recently honoured with an iLembe District Excellence Award as the highest-achieving Grade 6 learner.

Beyond the classroom, Neliswa represents her school in English and isiZulu speech and poetry competitions and is also a member of the U12 netball team.

Mandini Academy Grade 9 pupil Siyamthanda Xulu has grown from beginner musician to drumline leader in the school’s field band in less than a year.

Siyamthanda (15) is now one of the strongest snare players in the band, known for his smooth rolls, precise dynamics and ability to set the tempo during performances.

He is preparing to write his ABRSM Grade 2 Theory exam later this year while serving as a tutor-in-training for new band members.

Sixteen-year-old Madison Bateson is one of the most promising junior riders in the country.

She competed against the best Olympic cross-country mountain bikers in Namibia in April, winning the women’s junior XCO World Series race in Towerbos and finishing second at the Nedbank Namibia XC in Windhoek a week later.

Home schooled through TES College – Madison is also a three-time national road cycling champion and will compete at the upcoming SA Championships at Thaba Trails in Johannesburg.

Curro Salt Rock’s Kyden Ward is a standout sportsman in multiple disciplines.

The matric pupil recently finished second in the 400m at the KZN Athletics Championships with a time of 50.84, qualifying him for the national championships.

Kyden is also vice-captain of Curro’s 1st rugby team and was selected for the U18 Reitz Week team last year.

Ashton International College Ballito’s Skyler Herbst is a graceful gymnast to keep an eye on.

The Grade 9 pupil was recently selected for the South African junior rhythmic gymnastics team that will take on continental competition in Gauteng at the end of April.

A member of the Oceans Gymnastics Club in Salt Rock, Skyler travels to Durban five times a week to train with the rest of her team.

Despite a challenging schedule and more than 20 hours on the mat a week, she also maintains an excellent academic record.