On a bright and windy Tuesday morning (February 10) in Randfontein, learners from high schools across the area gathered for the much-anticipated Randfontein Schools Cluster Meeting at Hoërskool Riebeeckrand High School.

This is an annual athletics event that serves as a key stepping stone to district and provincial competitions.

Athletes selected at the cluster meet will represent the district in competitions and will go on to compete for provincial status.

A platform to higher competition

The competition brought together enthusiastic young athletes in a variety of track and field events, including sprints, middle-distance and long-distance runs, long jump, high jump, shot put and javelin events. The atmosphere was electric as learners cheered each other on, representing their schools proudly in an event that highlights not only sporting ability but teamwork, discipline and school spirit.

The Cluster Meeting functions as a qualifying event for learners aspiring to progress to higher levels of competition within the South African school sports structure. Athletes compete in their respective age groups, with the top three performers in each event earning the opportunity to represent Randfontein and the wider Rand West City district at the next stages.

This will start with the district championships then to the Gauteng Provincial Athletics Championships. Success here can open doors to provincial colours and, for some, national school athletics recognition.

Schools represented

Schools that had athletes qualify to compete in the district were:

1. AB Phokompe Secondary (ABP)
2. Ithuteng Farm School (IFS)
3. Hoërskool Jan Viljoen High School (JV)
4. Lukhanyo High School (LUK)
5. Phahama Secondary School (PH)
6. Randfontein High School (RHS)
7. Hoërskool Riebeeckrand High School (RR)
8. Thuto-Lehakwe Secondary School (TH)
9. Randfontein Secondary School (RSS)

Unfortunately, not all schools in the district were in attendance or sent any athletes to the cluster meeting.

Responsibility and opportunity

Riebeeckrand sports manager, Matt Snyman explained that, “It is the responsibility of all schools and principals in the district to honour these athletics events because they help identify future South African athletic stars at a grassroots level. Athletes miss out on competing with their peers and showcasing their talents if the schools don’t prioritise sports in their curriculum.”

The schools that did participate, however, gave it their all, with children from the different schools loudly and vibrantly cheering on their schoolmates from the stands. In the field events, weather proved to be an advantage for some and a disadvantage for others.

Weather challenges in field events

In the high jump event, the strong winds kept knocking off the pole that measured the heights, causing multiple delays and re-dos from the jumpers. In the javelin and discus events, athletes struggled with the wind direction, which would impact their attempt.

Karabo Sebati, an educator at Jan Viljoen who was overseeing the event, said, “It’s a learning curve for the younger learners in Grades Eight and Nine, who don’t have much experience in this specific sport. The older and more experienced kids are having a better time because they know how to throw the javelin in a way that works well with the wind.”

Athlete perspective

Mvelo Makhathini who is a Grade 10 learner from Randfontein High School, scored first place in both the shot-put and discus boys 15 events said, “The atmosphere is quite tense amongst the athletes because everyone is trying to qualify for district placement however, people are still friendly and offer advice to other athletes even though we are competing against each other”.

On how the weather played a role in his events, Mvelo continued, “I don’t really think of the weather because my mindset is more on controlling what I can, and the elements I can’t control, I don’t stress about. All I have to do is give my best.”

Standout performances on the track

On the track, sprint races saw incredible bursts of speed from the athletes, whilst for the middle- and long-distance runs, it was stamina that proved to be the equaliser. Standout athletes in these events were Riebeeckrand learners Xhante Stolk, who won the U17 girls 400-, 800-, and 1500-meter races. While schoolmate Stephen Joubert won the U17 boys 800-and-1500-meter races and placed 2nd in the 400-meter race.

More than just competition

For many learners, the Cluster Meeting is more than just a competition; it’s a learning experience. Teachers, coaches, and parents alike emphasise the life skills learned through sport: perseverance, respect for rivals, and the satisfaction of striving toward a goal.

Event organisers and local sport coordinators also use meetings like this to identify and support athletic talent within the community, sometimes linking school athletes with local clubs for further development.

As the top performers prepare for district and provincial meets later in the year, the Randfontein Schools Cluster Meeting stands as a testament to the thriving spirit of school sport in the area and a reminder of how community, competition, and dreams converge on the track and field.

Below is a list of all the winners and their events, although the top 3 placements qualified:

• Final Girls U15 100m — Elsie Moahajale (RR)
• Final Boys U15 100m — Lungile Phidi (TH)
• Final Girls U17 100m — Khutsho Malebane (JV)
• Final Boys U17 100m — Ethan Adams (RR)
• Final Girls U19 100m — Kekgomoditswe Mogale (JV)
• Final Boys U19 100m — Lesiba Makoetja (RHS)
• Final Girls U15 200m — Letlotlo Makgotlha (RHS)
• Final Boys U15 200m — Steven Jordan (JV)
• Final Girls U17 200m — Nokukhanya Mpepuka (RHS)
• Final Boys U17 200m — Lesiba Makoenja (RHS)
• Final Girls U19 200m — Kekgomoditswe Mogale (JV)
• Final Boys U19 200m — Ryan Da Silva (RR)
• Final Girls U15 400m — Retha Botha (RR)
• Final Boys U15 400m — Estiaan Botha (RR)
• Final Girls U17 400m — Xante Stolk (RR)
• Final Boys U17 400m — Ethan Adams (RR)
• Final Girls U19 400m — Ditebogo Chithayo (PH)
• Final Boys U19 400m — Adrian Lerm (JV)
• Final Girls U15 800m — Retha Botha (RR)
• Final Boys U15 800m — Omphile Ntsaagane (TH)
• Final Girls U17 800m — Xante Stolk (RR)
• Final Boys U17 800m — Steven Joubert (RR)
• Final Girls U19 800m — Koketso Mathedimusa (TH)
• Final Boys U19 800m — Tshiamo Mpshe (RHS)
• Final Girls U15 1500m — Retha Botha (RR)
• Final Boys U15 1500m — Bonginkosi Phungwayo (JV)
• Final Girls U17 1500m — Xante Stolk (RR)
• Final Boys U17 1500m — Steven Joubert (RR)
• Final Girls U19 1500m — Koketso Mathedimusa (TH)
• Final Boys U19 1500m — Tshiamo Mpshe (RHS); Tlhanlefang Mokasi (PH)
• Final Girls U15 3000m — Ntabiseng Mainama (RSS)
• Final Boys U15 3000m — Lesego Sosibo (RSS)
• Final Girls U17 3000m — Dune Parrott (RR); Karabo Moruledi (PH)
• Final Boys U17 3000m — Ethan Dawson (JV)
• Final Girls U19 3000m — Nicole Booyse (RR)
• Final Boys U19 3000m — Dylan O’Connell (RR)
• Final Girls U15 90m Hurdles 76.2cm — Melinique Cronje (RR)
• Final Boys U15 100m Hurdles 84cm — Someleziwe Sikati (RR)
• Final Girls U17 100m Hurdles 76.2cm — Chanika Van der Walt (RR)
• Final Girls U19 100m Hurdles 84cm — Tuane Mattheus (RR)
• Final Boys U17 110m Hurdles 91.4cm — Bonono Mnyatheli (RR)
• Final Boys U19 110m Hurdles 99.5cm — Anathi Mbilini (RHS)
• Final Girls U15 300m Hurdles 76.2cm — Melinique Cronje (RR)
• Final Boys U15 300m Hurdles 84cm — Inam Makhubalo (RR)
• Final Girls U17 400m Hurdles 76.2cm — Monique Van Niekerk (RR)
• Final Boys U17 400m Hurdles 84cm — Sipamandla Nkosi (RHS)
• Final Girls U19 400m Hurdles 76.2cm — Zelmie Kleynhans (RR)
• Final Boys U19 400m Hurdles 91.4cm — Alizwa Tefezayo (RHS)
• Final Girls U15 High Jump — Reategile Ngakane (JV)
• Final Boys U15 High Jump — Uhulenda Malaka (RHS)
• Final Girls U17 High Jump — Mickayleigh Pretorius (RR)
• Final Boys U17 High Jump — Bonga Mqingwana (RR)
• Final Girls U19 High Jump — Boitumelo Munyai (RR); Seneo Munyai
• Final Boys U19 High Jump — Katleho Thabapelo (RR)
• Final Girls U15 Long Jump — Mila Labuschagne (RR)
• Final Boys U15 Long Jump — Lungile Phidi (TH)
• Final Girls U17 Long Jump — Dune Parrott (RR)
• Final Boys U17 Long Jump — Bonono Mnyatheli (RR)
• Final Boys U19 Long Jump — Wiets De Beer (RR); Katleho Thabapelo (RR)
• Final Girls U17 Triple Jump — Dune Parrott (RR)
• Final Boys U17 Triple Jump — Bonono Mnyatheli (RR)
• Final Girls U19 Triple Jump — Kayleigh De Witt (RR)
• Final Boys U19 Triple Jump — Wiets De Beer (RR)
• Final Girls U15 Shotput 3kg — Zanita Van Staden (RR); Danelle Colyn (RR)
• Final Boys U15 Shotput 4kg — Mvelo Makhathini (RHS)
• Final Girls U17 Shotput 3kg — Kgotlello Ntlattla (RHS)
• Final Boys U17 Shotput 5kg — Dewet Bouwer (RR)
• Final Girls U19 Shotput 4kg — Helena Benecke (JV)
• Final Boys U19 Shotput 6kg — Ashton Potgieter (RR)
• Final Girls U15 Discus 1kg — Rosemary Gouws (RR)
• Final Boys U15 Discus 1kg — Mvelo Makhathini (RHS)
• Final Girls U17 Discus 1kg — Emma Seemela (RR)
• Final Boys U17 Discus 1.5kg — Tshepo Thomas (RR)
• Final Girls U19 Discus 1kg — Melisca Wray (RR)
• Final Boys U19 Discus 1.75kg — Obakeng Sebole (PH)
• Final Girls U15 Javelin 500g — Mila Labuschagne (RR)
• Final Boys U15 Javelin 600g — Sange Mpalisa (PH)
• Final Girls U17 Javelin 500g — Emma Seemela (RR)
• Final Boys U17 Javelin 700g — Barney Haynes (RR)
• Final Girls U19 Javelin 600g — Nomasonto Mokgwati (PH)
• Final Boys U19 Javelin 800g — Marko Labuschagne (RR)