Spar school stars 2022

KINGSWAY High School’s Grade 10 learner, Qasim Mahomed, was selected to represent SACCSA (Southern African Christian School’s Sports Association) at a national level at the Pukke Top 30 in Potchefstroom, for high jump.

Qasim has also been selected to form part of the Elite Athletes Development Programme and is training with his club (CKS) and Prime to further develop, and aim for new heights.

AIDEN Deneys, a Grade 4 learner from Kuswag Skool, was selected into the KZN ITP U12 ice hockey team. They competed at the Forest Hill ice rink in Centurion, Pretoria. The team came third and received a bronze medal in the U12 category.

TYLO Naidoo, a Grade 7 learner from Athlone Park Primary School, came second in the SA Kids Golf Competition held at Umhlali County Club recently.

REESE Davids, a Grade 9 learner from Amanzimtoti High School, took part in the interprovincial netball tournament held in Boksburg during the holidays. She plays in the U15 KZN girls’ team who played extremely well throughout the whole tournament.

COURTNEY Potgieter, a Grade 10 learner from Amanzimtoti High School, took part in the South African National Equestrian School Association horse show. She represented the school in two different show jumping classes. Courtney achieved first place in one class and second place in the other.

Kirsten Holmes, a Grade 2 learner from Amanzimtoti Primary School, won a gold and silver medal at the recent KZN canoe sprints. She also competed at the SA flat marathons during the holidays.

Nqobile Radebe, a Grade 3 learner at Athlone Park Primary School, has been involved in a programme called Sakhai isizwe ngomuntu wesifazane (We build a nation through a woman). This is an initiative created to empower young girls in the community. She was awarded first place in the Best Dressed and Charity Category.

Jazmin Viljoen, a Grade 6 learner from Amanzimtoti Primary School, recently made the KZN team for Mixed Martial Arts (MMA).

Abbey Jones, a Grade 8 learner from Amanzimtoti High School, has received her KZN colours and has been selected to represent KZN for lifesaving at the inter-provincial competition in Cape Town at the beginning of August.

Luke Grundy, a Grade 9 learner at JR Education Centre, has been selected to represent SA in the FIM Junior Motocross worlds championship in Finland from August 26 to 28. This year he got signed up with RedBull KTM.

Graad 11 leerder van Kuswag Skool, Maya Pretorius is onlangs verkies as die Sekretaresse van die Umlazi Verteenwoordigende Leerderraad se Uitvoerende-komitee. Maya is reeds verkies as die Sekretaresse van die Amanzimtoti-streek se Verteenwoordigende Leerderraad (VLR), asook Sekretaresse van die Umbumbulu-distrik VLR.

BRANDON Bezuidenhout, a Grade 11 learner at Kingsway High School, was selected to ride for the Southern KwaZulu-Natal (SKZN) UGU Bodyboarding Team and competed at SA Champs recently.

AMBER Fisher, a Grade 3 learner from Warner Beach Preparatory, recently made the KZN gymnastics team and received her KZN colours after competing in the level 2 category.

CASEY Boting, a Grade 4 learner from Amanzimtoti Primary, recently hosted one of many cupcake sales to raise funds for Cupcakes 4 Kids with Cancer. “She became very involved many years ago when she saw how we as a family baked cupcakes every year in support of cancer. Now that she is bigger she can help more with the actual decorating of the cupcakes,” said her grandmother, Gill Boting.

ISABELLA Carr, a Grade 6 learner from Amanzimtoti Primary School, recently achieved her JKA KZN colours for karate.

OLUHLE Langa, a Grade 7 learner at Warner Beach Preparatory, recently received a certificate, two silver and one bronze medal at the Level 2 Pinetown Gymnastics for bar, beam and floor.

NTANDO Maphumulo, a Grade 9 learner at Kingsway High School, has been selected for the Sharks U16 invitational rugby team. He has also been selected for the Touch Rugby High Performance Squad Youth World Cup that is set to take place in England next year.

JAYDON Chetty, a Grade 6 learner from Amanzimtoti Primary School, recently participated at a national level for Abagility (abacus agility) Maths at Hoërskool Roodepoort. He achieved outstanding results and was the top achiever in his level.

LWANELE Hlangu, a Grade 2 learner at Warner Beach Preparatory School, was awarded his JKA junior KZN colours in Karate.

NQOBILE Makhanya, a Grade 8 learner from Amanzimtoti High School, has been selected as part of the KZN touch rugby junior provincial team.

MCOTHOYI High School canoeist, Lungelo Gumede, has been selected for the nine-member team that will compete in the Olympic Hopes Regatta tournament which will take place in Bratislava, Slovakia, from June 3 to 5.

The Grade 11 Umgababa native is a Siyaphambili Surfski Club member, and he receives most of his training and mentoring from the Toti Canoe Club. In 2021, Lungelo was also part of the South African team that took part in the same event which was hosted in the Czech Republic.

GRAAD 10 leerder van Kuswag Skool, Aedan Raath, wat hakker speel vir die eerste rugbyspan, is onlangs gekies vir die O/18 KZN Uitnodiging XV Span. Hy sal vanaf 26 Junie tot 1 Julie in Reitz, in die Vrystaat, gaan speel.

KEIGAN Clarke, a Grade 6 learner at Warner Beach Preparatory School, recently received medals at the KZN Junior Sprint Canoeing Championships held at Nagle Dam.

His efforts earned him gold for U/12 boys 500m K1, bronze for U/12 boys 200m K1, silver for U/14 boys 1000m K2 and bronze for U/14 boys 500m K2. He also achieved runner up to Victor Ludorum in both the U/12 and U/14 age groups. His performance has led him to be selected to take part in the SA Schools Sprint Champs as well as the SA Sprint Champs in the Western Cape.

GRADE 4 learner from Athlone Park Primary School, Darshan Govender, competed in the KZN Trials all style karate.

He received a bronze medal for kata and a gold medal for kumite. This secured his place in the KZN team.

He recently took part in the KSA National Children’s League, where he received a bronze medal for kumite.

Darshan has been competing at a national level since 2021. His current ranking is number three in kata and kumite.

THEMBA Mzobe, a Grade 6 learner from Umbogintwini Primary School, attended the Upper South Coast Rugby Trials and has made it through to the final SKZN trials.

PHILASANDE Majola, a Grade 7 learner from Umbogintwini Primary School, has made it through to the next round of Cricket trials.

GRADE 11 learner from Amanzimtoti High School learner, Caden Button, is the Junior Captain of Winklespruit Surfski Club and was a part of rescue missions that took place over the period of the flood disaster. “Caden was an absolute legend over this period and helped with rescue and evacuation efforts,” said Amanzimtoti High Schools marketing officer, Pauline Schoombie.

MCOTHOYI High School learner, Wandile Dube of Umgababa, is an avid canoeist and a member of the Siyaphambili Surfski Club. He recently took part in the recent SA Sprint and SA Schools Championships in Cape Town as a representative of KwaZulu-Natal. Wandile started the sport of canoe at a very young age under the mentoring of both Siyaphambili and the Toti Canoe Club.

He sees himself competing at the international level and in the Olympics in the near future.

ATHLONE Park Primary School learner, Muhammad Ayaan Mehdi, has been selected for the U/11 Durban South Cricket team.

Local schools south of Durban come for trials and they select a 13 man team to represent the Durban South Cricket team. “This is quite an achievement within itself,” said the schools sports director, Ursula Wing.

Once selected for Durban South, cricketers then practice as a team and take part in the KwaZulu-Natal Cricket festival which happens at the end of March. From this tournament they will then select a KZN cricket team.

“Muhammad Ayaan has been playing cricket for Athlone Park Primary since grade one and has shown great enthusiasm and potential,” said Wing.

KUSWAG Laerskool Graad 4-leerder, Zayden de Clercq, het die o/11 Durban Suid-krieketspan behaal.

Die span sal die distrik by die aankomende provinsiale proewe aan die einde van Maart verteenwoordig.

“Welgedaan Zayden en sterkte vir die volgende proewe, ons hou duim vas vir jou,” sê Kuswag Skool bemarker en skakelbeampte, Natalie Hatting.

OKUHLE Gumede, a Grade 5 learner at Umbogintwini Primary School, attended the athletics trials and participated in the 80m and 100m.

He trialed for Umbumbulu and won both of his events. This qualified him to move on to the next round of trials. At the Umlazi trials, he again won both of his events. He also recently competed in the KZN trials in Pietermaritzburg.

IZZY van Heerden, Grade 4 learner from Warner Beach Preparatory School, was awarded as the U/10 KZN inter-schools flat water marathon canoeing champion.

She took the win at Shongweni Dam, placing first in the U/10 and third in the female guppy (paddlers under 12) category.

GRADE 5 learner from Amanzimtoti Primary School, Jeremy John, won second place prize in the KZN Squash Junior Open tournament held at the Westville Country Club Squash courts.

GRADE 7 learner from Warner Beach Preparatory School, Payton Groger, won the silver medal at the KZN Swimming Champs girls U/13 50m freestyle.

MEGAN O’Conner, a grade 10 learner from Amanzimtoti High School, received her provincial colours for junior canoeing.

“She is also a part of Warnadoone Surf Lifesaving Club and did well in the KZN Junior and Senior Lifesaving Championships. She obtained fourth place in beach flags category, fifth place in beach run and seventh place in beach sprint. She is also a hard worker academically (second in her grade last year, with an average of 91%) and a learner who always has a helping hand for her educators and fellow learners,” said Amanzimtoti High School’s marketing officer, Pauline Schoombie.

QASIM Mahomed, a Grade 10 learner at Kingsway High School, made the KwaZulu-Natal Athletics team. He came second in high jump, meeting the qualifying height.

GRADE 8 learner from Amanzimtoti High School, Cayden Potgieter, won his race in the CBR 150 Junior category at Dezzi’s Raceway in Port Shepstone on March, 5.

He is riding the bike that MotoGP rider, Darryn Binder, once rode. He also got to meet two-time national champion Blaze Baker, who is set to go race in England.

ANJILEE Singh, this year’s Kingsway High School Grade 12 learner is the first female learner to ever receive a computer applications technology (CAT) subject award.

She received the award at the school’s recent prizegiving ceremony, based on her 2021 academic performance.

KUSWAG Skool leerder en Westville Swemklub swemmer, Ashlin Botha, is gekies om deel te neem aan die Nasionale Akwatiese Oopwaterkampioenskappe 2022 wat op 4 tot 6 Maart plaasgevind het in Jeffreysbaai. Ashlin het by Kuswag Skool se Interhuis gala eersteplekke behaal in die dogters ope 50m vryslag, 50m rugslag, 50m borsslag, 50m vlinderslag en 4 x 25m individuele wisselslag en was sodoende as Victrix Ludorum gekroon.

JAREL Tobias Esterhuizen, a Grade 6 learner at Kamalinee Primary School (KPS), is driven and engaged in various interests namely mixed martial arts, soccer, swimming, cricket, junior life saving and paintball.

Since Grade R, he strived for excellence, be it academically or sporting. He has the capabilities of achieving great heights because of his passion, dedication, commitment, diligence and enthusiasm towards his goals. His accolades at Kamalinee Primary School have shaped him into the aspiring superstar.

JT has been KPS fun run winner for the past six consecutive years. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, JT attends martial arts training at the Academy of Martial Arts. He has excelled in martial arts from the tender age of four. He recently obtained his brown belt, obtained KZN provincial colours, national colours in martial arts, several gold medals, trophies, a title belt at the top 10 kickboxing team challenge and numerous other awards. He is a nipper at Warnadoone Lifesaving Club (WLSC).

He has represented Isipingo Junior Soccer Academy at various tournaments and is eternally grateful for the foundation received at the academy and its coaches. He currently attends Wentworth Warriors Football Club (WWFC) on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays.

In 2021, WWFC won the Super Junior Festival League and their presentation was held at Harry Gwala Stadium.

Despite the pandemic, JT maintained a routine as he believes in creating an environment where it feels less like you’re competing and more like you’re having fun with a purpose. He said, “Endurance is one of the most difficult disciplines, but it is to the one who endures that the final victory comes.”

KAYLI Janse van Rensburg, a Grade 6 learner at Amanzimtoti High School, recently took part in the Midmar Mile, and completed it in a time of 36:15.

She was also made the U12 age group champion at the schools inter house gala.

Caption: Kayli Janse van Rensburg, completed the Midmar Mile and was the U12 age group champion for the inter house gala

TRISTAN Janse van Rensburg ended 2021 with a bang after he was awarded six times and named Dux of the school at Amanzimtoti Primary School where he was a Grade 7 learner.

He received awards for Afrikaans, mathematics, and for social sciences. He also received certificates for overall contribution in sport and academic excellence.

Tristan is a member of the Titans Swimming Club and he participated in the South African Junior National Gala in Durban in April 2021 where he won four medals.

ANDREW Zondo Primary School learner, Sindiswa Mzobe, was named one of the top achievers in Grade 7 for 2021.

She was awarded seven certificates and four trophies at her school’s glittering award ceremony.

Sindiswa, who was also a head girl, was awarded for outstanding performance in English, natural sciences, technology, and isiZulu.

She received two awards each for isiZulu and English for being the best achiever in her class as well as the entire grade.

She also received a certificate for being an outstanding head girl. Sindiswa has started Grade 8 at Adams College.

RYAN Viviers, ‘n Graad 7 Kuswagleerder, is tydens die naweek van 12 tot 13 Februarie as die o/13 SA-kampioen by die SA Driekamp-kampioenskappe in Bloemfontein gekroon.

Ryan was vir die KZN-span opgeneem om aan die SA-kampioenskappe deel te neem na hy ‘n eersteplek by die KZN-driekampkampioenskappe in Januarie behaal het.

TYNE van Achterbergh, a Grade 9 learner at Amanzimtoti High School, has a passion for all things water.

He passed his JLA in January and is now a qualified junior lifeguard.

He will compete on March 5 and 6, at the KZN lifesaving championships and in the SA lifesaving championships in PE on March 24, 25 and 26.

He will also take part in trials for surfing, starting February 26 and 27.

He broke four swimming records, won five out of five races and won junior Victor Ludorum at the inter house gala.

He made the U15 team for water polo and recently completed the Midmar Mile in a time of 24:17, coming 45th out of 89 swimmers in the U14 to U30 category.

Not only does he achieve great things in the water, but also in the classroom. Last year he came eighth in Grade 8 with nine distinctions and an aggregate of 86%.

KINGSWAY High School learner, Seshnie Naidu, has recently been named into the 12-member South African U19 girls schools team.

The announcement came just after the allrounder returned from Paarl in the Western Cape where she participated in the National Cricket Week tournament with the KwaZulu-Natal U19 girls team that won seven out of their nine matches.

The long list of her achievements in the sport includes being named player of the season in the 2019 KZN Cricket Awards, and being the first girl to be selected for the Durban South U13 boys cricket.

She also captained the KZN girls U13 cricket team.

HRIDAY Parsad, this year’s Grade 11 learner from Kingsway High School, not only came first in the grade, but was also awarded the English home language prize, the design group prize for mathematics as well as the physical sciences prize. He was also the only learner in the school who obtained academic honours for achieving distinctions in all his subjects in 2021.

REEF O’Brien, 17, from Amanzimtoti High School participated in the 2021 Tiger Tamers competition on the Jozini Dam in Pongola recently. His winning catch was a 1.89 kg tiger fish. The school congratulated the Grade 11 learner.