Spar Superstars NGN 2026

SPORT has always been a passion for Northlands Primary School learner Alex Hoyer.

If there is a ball, the Grade Six learner is always game. Alex is involved in hockey (first team), cricket and rugby at his school.

However, it’s also Alex’s ability to be a team player and be supportive that make him a star. This was on full display recently when he accompanied the hockey team on tour to Johannesburg for a weekend of hockey.

Unfortunately, he was bitten by his host family’s rescue dog and the bite was severe enough to warrant a night in hospital and surgery to close the wound.

Despite this, Alex was incredibly brave and while he was unable to continue with the fixtures, he attended every match to support his team. On his return to Durban, he played for the Stayers in a cricket game with his wounds carefully cushioned (once approved by the doctor) and is now back in full flight on the hockey astro.

Another one of his passions is birding.

He is a Birdlife SA Owlett finalist and this year designed a monkey-proof bird feeder as part of his science expo project.

“My grandfather, who passed away, loved birding and fishing and I think I took after him. It’s one of my passions and I love going around the nature reserves with my binoculars looking for species. I’ve already identified 185 species and my favourite hotspot is the Palmiet Nature Reserve. I would say my favourite find was a Crowned Hornbill,” he said. Outside of birding he enjoys fishing and keeping nature clean.

REDDAM House Umhlanga learner Ava McCann was one of the standout performers at the Natal Festival of Dance where she won four medals and a trophy.

The Grade Seven learner won two gold medals and two silver medals and was awarded the trophy for Most Outstanding Junior Classical Dance in the U13 category.

Ava, who is captain of Mackenzie House, participated in five dances at the competition.

“I was very happy with my performances, especially winning the trophy, as I had the highest mark in the U13 division. I’ve been working towards achieving my goals and I feel like it is paying off,” she said. “I achieved a gold medal for my classical solo, gold for a group event, a silver for my ballet repertoire and a silver for a group performance,” she said.

Ava began dancing at age of two and said that it has shaped her life and character.

“It’s given me confidence on stage, especially in my senior primary productions, and it’s humbled me. It has also helped shape my character to who I am today. When I dance, I do it for a lot of people to make them proud,” she said.

Outside of dance, Ava has achieved above 80% average in all her subjects for the last three years.

She also reached round two (top 100) of the Beyond Maths competition.

Ava also has a heart for charity with an annual tradition.

“Every year I count up extra change in my piggy bank and I choose a different charity to donate to. Last year I donated around R300 to the Durban & Coast SPCA,” she said.

HOPING to follow in the footsteps of her sister and one of her educators at her school, Virginia Preparatory School Grade Seven learner, Aziza Zuma, has her sights set on representing SA.

The 13-year-old is a member of the first team for A squad swimming, netball (indoor and outdoor), hockey (indoor and outdoor), water polo and is the touch rugby captain.

It’s in touch rugby and hockey where she hopes to excel. Earlier this year she represented the KZN outdoor hockey U13A team that claimed bronze at the inter-provincial tournament (IPT) in Gauteng.

She followed that up with a silver for the KZN U13A touch rugby team, which she captained, also at an IPT in Gauteng.

“At both tournaments we started off a little shaky but as the games progressed we gained confidence and lifted each other’s spirits to push on to finish on the podium.”

At the KZN Touch Rugby IPT, Aziza was coached by her older sister Owami.

“In future I would love to make a South Africa hockey and touch rugby team. That would be a huge honour. I’ve played touch rugby since Grade Four and my sister inspired me to play and be the best I can. She’s made KZN her whole life and also played U21 touch rugby so it would be nice to follow in her footsteps.

“In hockey I look up to Mrs Wiggett (who teaches at our school) and Mustapha Cassiem,” she said.

WITH dreams of one day representing her country in netball or hockey, Greenwood Park Primary School learner Mpilo Mpanza lives by the phrase ‘never give up’.

The 13-year-old often takes heart from the life lessons her mother gives her, especially about always believing in herself.

A member of her school’s netball team, she also plays hockey and cricket for the Inanda, Ntuzuma, and KwaMashu club.

She recently represented her school at the Ward 34 Schools Sports Day where her team received a medal for their participation.

“I was very happy with how the tournament played out. While we didn’t win all our games we were able to learn so much from the other schools and I grew as a player. My family always supports me but my mother has always told me to never give up on my dreams and do my best because you never know what could happen. My goal going forward is to hopefully be selected for KZN and one day for SA, for either hockey or netball,” she said.

Outside of school, Mpilo enjoys spending time with family and friends.

BALANCING academics, sport and cultural activities is no easy feat, but Chelsea Preparatory School’s Shoana Schofield is showing that a passion for trying new things can take young talent a long way.
The Grade Four learner has built an impressive sporting portfolio, competing in swimming, U10B action netball, U10C hockey and water polo, while also taking part in multisport disciplines combining running, swimming and laser pistol shooting.
Shoana is part of Chelsea Prep’s A swimming squad and was awarded Victrix Ludorum at the school’s championship gala. Beyond school sport, her achievements have taken Shoana to provincial and international competitions.
Her proudest moment was representing SA at the UIPM 2025 Biathle, Triathle and Laser Run World Champs. “It was one of my biggest sporting achievements,” she said.
The event, which featured running, swimming and laser pistol shooting, was held in Mossel Bay from December 8 to 13, 2025. “I achieved third place in Triathle and two team golds for Biathle and Triathle,” said Shoana.
At the KZN Modern Pentathlon Champs, Shoana won gold in the Triathle category, qualifying her to represent SA in the U11 girls’ division. She has also been selected for the KZN U11 Biathlon team.
Shoana has also excelled in open-water swimming, finishing 32nd overall in the 1.2km Blaynesfield Seeding Swim and placing second among the U9 girls.
Her interests extend beyond sport. At school, she participates in the choir and B marimba band.
Despite her busy schedule, Shoana continues to achieve excellent academic results.

NORTHLANDS Girls’ High School Grade 11 learner Anothando Ndumo represented the country as part of the SpringBots team at the FIRST Global Challenge in Incheon, South Korea, this month.

The challenge is an Olympics-style, international robotics competition. SpringBots South Africa is a youth-driven robotics and STEM initiative empowering learners through innovation, mentorship and hands-on technology programmes.

The theme centered on wildfire prevention, mitigation, recovery, and environmental resilience through robotics.

“I was honoured to have been chosen for the team having competed at both the provincials and nationals with my KZN team, Cyber Creators. Participating in competitions like this one opens your mind to new ideas and a way of finding different solutions,” she said.

Anothando is passionate about Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), and creating opportunities through innovation, hopes to study biomedical engineering and develop technologies that improve lives.

“I’ve been doing robotics and coding since primary school. I actually discovered it through the Pathfinder Club (like Scouts) at my church and I remember coding Java script and learning – every week I went back to get my coding badge. It is such a big part of my life that I see my career in STEM and being at the forefront of developing technologies for those in need,” she said.

AVOCA Secondary School Grade 11 learner Ntandoyenkosi Mhlongo is a perfect example of how consistency and a love of education can make a difference.

From the moment she entered high school, Ntandoyenkosi has remained at the top of her class. Described by her school as humble and a shining star, the 16-year-old has persevered and overcome obstacles to secure and maintain the number-one position.

The aspiring civil engineer said school is one of her favourite places to be because she gets to socialise with her peers while learning.

“Education really matters to me because I would like to go far in life, and help improve the life at home one day,” said a smiling Ntandoyenkosi.

“But I also love school because we get to socialise and the support that we get from the teachers, who are like parents to us. They are really proud of us when we do well and reward us with awards.”

Her love of physics and mathematics fuels her ambition to study at Wits University. Ntandoyenkosi said she is not ready to give up her position on the school’s honours wall.

“I love seeing my name and picture on that wall. It inspires me to continue doing well and it hopefully encourages other learners to do more.”

Inspired by her uncle, who is a lawyer, and her love of working with her hands, Ntandoyenkosi dreams of one day helping to build an architectural masterpiece.

PARK Hill Secondary School learner Simenzelwe Ndiyaza has successfully negotiated a bright future for herself, should she choose to pursue a career in law.

The Grade 10 learner garnered the attention of judges with her commanding presentation at the 2026 National School Moot Court Oral Rounds where she argued against discrimination in schools. She was propelled onto the national stage after impressing the judges at regionals when Park Hill Secondary was named among the selected schools to represent KZN in the finals in Gauteng earlier this month.

Moot Court is an annual event which offers learners the opportunity to experience a real-life courtroom where they state and argue a case before a judge. Simenzelwe was among the winners, firmly putting Park Hill Secondary School on the map.

Now debating a future career between law or medicine, the 16-year-old said her presentation at Moot Court had piqued her interest in South Africa’s justice system.

“I am interested in law but I’m not sure which I want to dedicate myself to. Participating in Moot Court gave me an opportunity to get a feel of what it’s like to argue a case before judges which I enjoyed, but I am still considering a career in medicine.”

With her favourite subject in school being Life Science, the youngster said “I’m still thinking about” when asked which career path she favours.