Spar Superstars NGN 2026

YOU could say Chelsea Preparatory School learner Mia Strohfeldt is an all-rounder.

The Grade Seven learner achieves good academic marks, serves as the vice chairperson of the Art Service Team at the school, was the Master of Ceremonies at Musical Moments Show, was a cast member in the school’s annual production and performed in a duet in this year’s Speech and Drama festival.

Then on the sports field, she is a member of the action netball U13B team, is a member of the first team in outdoor netball and hockey, she is also part of the A Squad for swimming as well as a member of the water polo squad.

This year Mia was selected for the North Durban Hockey U13B and Umlazi Hockey U13B.

She is also involved in lifesaving having competed at the SA Nationals in Gqeberha recently.

If that wasn’t enough she is also a member of the ‘Enchanted World of Oz’ cast at the Playhouse.

“I’m always willing to offer assistance to others and support my peers whenever needed. Family is important to me and I enjoy spending time with my older brother and sister when they return home from the Cape,” she said.

She also enjoys spending weekends with her friends and values quality time with her parents, including walks along the beach with their two Pekinese dogs.

SAHAR Reddy, a Reddam House Umhlanga learner, excelled at the recent Horizon Mathematics Competition hosted by Star College.

The annual competition offers prizes to top learners to encourage an interest in mathematics and problem solving.

The Grade Seven learner was among a field of 6188 and placed first overall.

“It feels good to place first. I wasn’t expecting it even though mathematics is my favourite subject. In the lead-up to the exam I did a few past papers to practise, which helped me in the end,” he said. “I’ve always loved numbers and one of my favourite things to do is calculate flight times, wind speed and how long it will take to get to the destination.”

Most recently he placed fourth overall in the Beyond Maths Competition.

He has placed in the top five in Beyond Maths and top 10 in the South African Maths Challenge for two years in a row. He is also a portfolio representative and the vice chairperson for PR / Marketing.

IN his first karate competition Greenwood Park Primary School’s Talen Chatiza proved he has what it takes to succeed in the sport.

The Grade Seven learner competed at the Dolphin League Championship earlier this year where he won two silvers in kata and kumite in the U12 age group.

The 13-year-old, who is a member of the Redhill Karate Dojo SA, was happy with the result.

“It was a good achievement for me especially as this was my first major competition.
“I didn’t know what to expect but I was pleased with the results. This competition showed me how far I’ve come and taught me to overcome any obstacles in my way.”

Talen started karate in Grade Three and shared some of the life lessons it has given him.

“Karate has impacted my life in a positive way. It has given me discipline, taught me about respect and how to defend myself.”

A big part of his karate journey is when his dojo travels to St. Thomas’ Home for Children to help young orphans.

“We teach them some moves and we sometimes donate items to them. It is a good way to give back and it’s part of our community service,” the blue belt said.

Talen is also a prefect at his school and enjoys gaming when he is not studying.

SUMMER Lalchand, a Crawford International La Lucia Pre-Primary Grade 00 learner, has taken an exciting step forward in her dance journey. She is this month’s SPAR Superstar.

Summer recently successfully completed her Pre-Grade Acrobatic Dance examination with the Theatre Dance Association (TDA), marking a wonderful milestone for the young dancer.

On 13 and 14 August 2026, Summer took to the stage once again as she competed in her first regional dance competition, officially beginning her journey into competitive dance.

“I competed in Acrobatic Dance and was one of the youngest dancers in my category,” said Summer.

VIRGINIA Preparatory School learner Chloe Weller had a successful time at the recent U12 Regional Hockey Tournament at Michaelhouse.

The Grade Six learner won gold with her KZN Coastal U12A girls team. Chloe was also named Player of the Tournament for her exceptional performances.

It was a repeat of last year when Chloe also represented the same team that won gold.

“We really gelled well as a team and we had a lot of practices leading to the tournament. Our coach was prepared and motivated us to do our best. I feel my training and my mindset has changed this year which has motivated me to keep going. My goal now is to make the KZN U13 team next year and continue to shine,” she said.

Chloe has maintained an 80% aggregate since Grade Four, and is also involved in swimming, netball (outdoor and indoor), hockey (indoor and outdoor), cross country, water polo, athletics and touch rugby.

Underscoring her sporting prowess, she was also selected for the KZN U13A touch rugby team in July this year.

THE saying ‘hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard’ rings true for Durban North College’s Aralia Langry.

The 13-year-old has proven her athletic prowess on the soccer field and volleyball court.

She recently represented KwaZulu-Natal at the National Winter School Sports in East London.

The Grade Eight learner competed at the KZN U14 volleyball tournament and the team went to the finals and ended up winning silver.

Through the competition, Aralia was awarded her KZN colours for volleyball.

“This was my first time making KZN volleyball team. I didn’t expect to make it but I feel that if you work hard, you can achieve anything. While I would like to represent the national team in both sports, I must admit I have more fun playing volleyball,” she said.

Speaking on her team’s performances at the national festival, Aralia said she was proud of her teammates.

“It was so heartbreaking to lose in the final because up until that point, we hadn’t lost a single time. I know my teammates and I were all gutted by the result but at the same time we were so proud of all that we achieved. It was an honour representing my province and giving it my all with my teammates,” she said.

In soccer, Aralia plays in the midfield and says her aunt is her biggest supporter.

SINCE the beginning of the year Northwood School Grade 11 learner Riley Hemphill has won 11 medals at various swimming competitions across SA.

In March he won a gold and silver at the SA National Junior Age Group Championship, and in May he won two golds and a silver at the SA Schools Championship.

He followed that up with two silvers and a bronze at the SA Short Course Grand Prix invitational event in Pietermaritzburg and a further two silvers and bronze at the SA Short Course Grand Prix invitational event in Cape Town.

It was in the latter event at the end of last month that the 17-year-old secured qualification for the World Aquatics Swimming World Cup in Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan.

He mainly competes in breaststroke.

“This is my first world-class event ever with high-level swimmers and I know how tough it’s going to be.”

At school Riley plays water polo and is part of the school swimming team.

DANVILLE Park Girls’ High School learner Codie Bestbier recently led the SA U18 Girls’ hockey 5s team to victory at the U18 Hockey 5s Youth Africa Cup.

The team captained by the Grade 11 learner were crowned champions in Kenya, and secured their place at the inaugural FIH U18 World Cup in December in Egypt.

The 18-year-old was named Player of the Tournament for her outstanding playmaking and overall impact on the turf.

“This was my first time making a South African team. I felt so proud of myself because it has been a dream of mine since I started playing hockey at the age of four. I was also so pleased for my fellow Danville learner Enyenhle who was named Goalkeeper of the Tournament. I didn’t expect to captain the side but it shows that the coaching staff saw that I have the potential to lead a team,” she said.

Showing her leadership qualities, the Danville learner is the vice captain of the school’s outdoor hockey first team.

OUR Lady of Fatima Dominican Convent School (DSC) learner Saskya Kistnasami has dominated in the pool this season, competing at the SA National Junior Age Group Championship and the SA Schools Championship.

The Grade Nine learner also made her country and school proud, having competed at the African Youth Games in Angola earlier this year where she won a gold medal in the 4 × 100m freestyle relay race.

Most recently Saskya shone at the Africa Aquatics Zone 4 Swimming Championships in Botswana, where she represented SA in the U16 age group.

Saskya walked away with six medals, two golds, three silvers and one bronze across individual and team events.

“I was really happy with my results. I improved on my times in the 200m freestyle and 100m freestyle which was a positive for me. This year I’ve worked on my technique and my overall strength and conditioning which has helped me in and out of the pool,” the 15-year-old said.

She trains six times a week and still manages to achieve academic excellence, featuring in the top 20 of her Grade.
She is also a class captain.
Proving she is adept at sports on land and in the water, last year she represented KZN at the SA Biathlon Championship and the country in the U17 World Pentathlon Championships.