Talented in many ways, Tshepi never lets anything get him down.

Reotshepile Shopo is 11 years old and from Zeerust in the North West Province. His parents relocated to Potchefstroom when he was a year old, he is now in Grade Five at President Pretorius Primary school.

Tshepi, as he is affectionately known, has been active in sports at school and is passionate about athletics. At school he participates in rugby, high jump, 100m hurdles, as well as long distance 1200m. Khumo Shopo, Reotshepile’s mother, says he always participates in school athletics and started the cross-country in 2023. “Robyn Dykes is his coach and she introduced cross-country at the school and has been coaching the athletes as well. Last year, Tshepi made the NW athletics team and participated in the 2023 cross-country championships held in Gqeberha for U10s.”

This year, once again, he held second position for the Athletics Central North West (ACNW) finals held at Joolplaas. He was part of the U11 boys team that represented the province in Vanderbijlpark over the weekend. Tshepi made his mark this year when he obtained third position in the finals and received a bronze medal. Another achievement for him was being selected in the Potchefstroom U11 District Rugby Team and they played in Rustenburg in June. “Tshepi is a humble child, always striving to do well in school and enjoys being with his friends and playing with his little brother,” Khumo lovingly explains. Tshepi told his mom that his dream when going to the cross-country championships finals was to be in the top ten, but he pushed himself and was very happy to finish third. His biggest dream is to grow in athletics and represent South Africa when he is older.