Spar school stars 2023

BLUFF Christian Academy’s Grade 3 learner, Kiara Robbertze, excelled in the South African Literacy Association Reading Competition and was placed fourth in the national finals, achieving 93%.

No stranger to academic success, Kiara is placed first in her class each term and received an A+ in the semi final round of the reading competition.

She was also in the top 10 among Grade 3 learners in the province of KZN.

Mundiya won the 13 years divisional trophy and the Victrix Ludorum trophy.

“She is a superb athlete and star in the making. We at Durban South Primary are proud of her achievements,” said the school.

ALWAYS striving to do what is best for the environment, Asavela Gonya was honoured with the Hero Award from Bluff Christian Academy for his dedication towards keeping his school clean and tidy. Asavela takes it upon himself to arrive early at school to clean the park. The litter conscious lad encourages his peers and learners from other schools to join him in keeping their school clean. He is in Grade 8.

FAIRVALE Secondary School learner, Taliyah Goldstone, was a part of the team who represented KZN in the international model bridge building competition held in Pretoria, recently. Taliyah competed against various schools selected from across the country, as well as a school from Swaziland that joined the competition. Taliyah’s team was placed third for the final weighing and garnered high scores for correction, design and the total weight the bridge carried

Mundiya won the 13 years divisional trophy and the Victrix Ludorum trophy.

“She is a superb athlete and star in the making. We at Durban South Primary are proud of her achievements,” said the school.

APHILE Ngobese is on a mission to become a soccer star. The Grade 12 learner at New Forest High School in Woodlands, was recently selected to join the Maritzburg United FC reserve team as a goalkeeper.

Ngobese, 17, of Montclair, was also recently selected by the KZN High Schools’ Football Association (KZNHSFA) to play for its under 19A team. He competed with the team in an interprovincial Friendship Cup in Gauteng from October 7 to 10. The team won all of their matches and the cup.

Aphile said he started playing soccer in primary school.

“Soccer has been my passion from a young age. My coaches always motivated me to keep playing and would say that I have a talent. In high school, I joined the Mlungisi Ngubane Academy on the Bluff. I was also the goalkeeper for the school’s first team (U19).

“I love being on the soccer field, as it makes me feel at ease and gives me great joy. I hope to fulfil my dream of playing professionally for a national team or for my favourite international team, Real Madrid,” he said.

Praise Mundiya, a Grade 7 learner at Durban South Primary School, has been described as an outstanding athlete after she walked away as the overall champion at the school’s annual athletic meeting.

She participated in the 13 years high jump event and cleared a height of 1.32 metres. She also emerged victorious in the track events.

Mundiya won the 13 years divisional trophy and the Victrix Ludorum trophy.

“She is a superb athlete and star in the making. We at Durban South Primary are proud of her achievements,” said the school.

From a young age, Luyanda Nzuza, 16, has had a passion for sports, mainly soccer and cricket.

The Grade 11 pupil at New Forest High School, said she started playing soccer with her classmates in Grade 2.

She now plays for the KZN Coastal U16 soccer team, and will soon be jetting off to Gauteng to play in a friendly-cup against other teams from around the country.

Luyanda, who lives in Yellowwood Park, also plays right-wing for the school’s first girls team.

“I have always had a passion for soccer, it sparks a light in my heart,” she said.

Luyanda said, she also loved to play cricket.

She currently plays for the Dolphins women’s cricket team.

She has won several accolades over the years, including batswoman of the day.

“I was also introduced to cricket at a young age, and hope to pursue it professionally once I have completed school. My goal is to play for a national team,” she said.

Graeme Smuts was recently selected for the Sharks Youth Club U15 team.

The 14-year-old learner at the Betta Learning Centre will be competing with the team in an interprovincial tour, which will be held in Heidelberg, Gauteng from October 1 to 9.

Graeme said he started playing rugby at the age of 7, and has competed in several matches.

He was selected for the KZN Duikers U12 team in 2019, and was awarded the Most Improved Player during the interprovincial tour.

“This year, I thought my dream was lost as I had broken my hand just before the Sharks team trials and had to have surgery. But I was determined to make the team and managed to tryout.

“I was very excited when I received the news that I had made the team and given such a great opportunity to play during the tour,” said Graeme.

Jordan Bald is a Grade 12 learner at Bluff Christian Academy and he is also the head boy. He is nominated for his attributes as a fine young man.

He is considerate, always willing to assist without hesitation and pro active. He is an all rounder academically and on the sports field.

Kaleb Barlow is a Grade 3 learner at the Convent School of Our Lady of Natal and he is eight-years-old.

His mother said that he has always had a big interest in soccer after watching his father play and he started playing soccer when he was in Grade R. He now plays for the Bayview team, but is also a popular and determined member of the Grade 3 soccer team at school.

Not only is Kaleb an exceptional soccer player, but he also achieves academically at school and is an extremely polite, kind and respectful learner.

He was awarded player of the match in the school team and he recently won the U9s team trophy for Bayview. His team beat six other teams in the tournament.

Slindokuhle Kheswa was recently selected for the KZN level 1-3 team in Women Artistic Gymnastics.

The bubbly Grade 4 learner at Yellowwood Park Primary School also took a silver medal in two previous Gymnastics competitions this year, held in March.

Grade 5 Brighton Beach Senior Primary School learner, Riley Maddison Naidoo, was thrilled to compete in the Dolphin Mile. Riley’s father, Ronald Naidoo, described his son as a water baby who loves the beach. Riley swam the the Capital K swimming event in December 2019 and the Midmar Mile in February 2020.

“Covid-19 put a hold on most of the swimming activities and when I read about this event and told him about it, he was very excited to be able to compete. The Dolphin Mile Surf Swim Series is a unique event on the South African open water swim scene. The guiding principle of the Dolphin Mile Surf Swim Series is the promotion of open water ocean swimming for participants of all ages and ability. The series caters for all categories of swimmer, from novice to elite swimmers of all ages, from 10 years to 70 plus years of age, and can form a component of a healthy lifestyle and exercise regimen.

The event allows Riley to enjoy the challenges presented by ocean swimming and experience a sense of achievement and personal accomplishment,” said Naidoo.

He also enjoys competing at school gala events.

Jaiyeola Temiloluwa, a Grade 12 learner from New Forest High School has been involved with debating since Grade 8. She has won several best speaker awards at different schools.

This year she has been selected for the KZN team. She has to debate at DHS for the DCDL OCTO Finals 2022.

She is a deputy prefect in charge of discipline and an exceptional learner.

GRADE 3 Bluff Christian Academy learner, Kiara Robbertze, attained 93% at the semi finals for the South African Literacy Association English Reading Festival Competition 2022, held recently.

The bright lass was one of 10 semi finalists with the highest mark from Bluff Christian Academy. Her school mates and teachers are proud of her for flying the school’s flag high.

TAURA Greyling makes it her mission to prove that a girl can survive in an all boys playfield as she boasts being the only girl in the boys U8 rugby team at Harlequins Rugby Club.

The sporty Grade 2 learner from Our Lady of Natal Convent is an all round achiever and is also an avid reader.

MOTIVATED to start walking because of a soccer ball when he was nine-months-old, Lungelo Ngwane began living his dream when he was selected to play in an Inter District Football Tournament in Johannesburg. The Grade 10 learner from Grosvenor Boys High School has played for the Bayview Football Club since he was six-years-old and dreams of playing soccer for a professional team on a worldwide platform. The talented Lungelo has received numerous awards and accolades over the years in his age group, including best new comer. The 16-year-old loves soccer so much that he even dreams about it and alarms his mother by calling for his team mates to pass him the ball in his sleep.

“All I need is a chance. I have been selected to play in various teams and tournaments. I play at school level and I have been approached by coaches from different teams, asking for me to play for them, but I feel that school must come first and my coaches at Bayview Football Club understand this. I wish to be enrolled into a school of excellence, where I am able to grow academically and still play soccer. I believe that this is my year and that someone is going to scout me after seeing my talent. I will work hard and get my mother out of her financial situation. She is a single mother to my siblings and I, and my dream is to buy her a house and a car because she deserves it. I even get her to choose the car in magazines we have. My mother believes that my time will come. All I need is a chance,” said Lungelo.

JALIEL Braden Eddie’s soccer journey began when he was five-years-old, when he started playing for the Wailers Football Club’s U9 team. Being the youngest player on the team meant he left spectators in awe of his talent as he was always on par with the older boys.

The Grade 10 Wentworth Secondary School learner joined Bayview Football Club (FC) at the age of six and grew his skills under the coaching of Mario Labuschagne, who still coaches him in the U17 team he plays for. The sporty teenager found himself venturing off for two years to play for the Amazulu Football Club but later returned to Bayview FC.

His success can be noted by his amazing achievement of scooping the player of the season and highest goal scorer, every year since he joined Bayview FC. He also won an Easter tournament, as well as player of the tournament and highest goal scorer for the two years he played at Amazulu FC.

Highlights in Jaliel’s soccer career include training and attending soccer for Supersport, Amazulu and the Liverpool Academy. When he has time, he plays indoor and outdoor soccer for senior players in Wentworth FC and was recently chosen to play in the Engen Knockout Tournament.

STEPHAN Rajagopaul’s favourite sport is soccer. His passion led him to play soccer as a sport and the eight-year-old ML Sultan St Mary’s Primary School learner dreams of one day joining a soccer team which allows him to travel the world. The Grade 3 lad looks forward to soccer training and aspires to join a team soon.

GRADE 5 lad, Grayson Booysen, has an undeniable love for numbers. Nicknamed as Mr Numbers, he amazes family members and relatives with his skillful number-related trivia and is known for being the super smart one of the family. The Marlborough Park School learner also boasts a great sense of humour and is a member of the 1st Royal Scouts, based in Wentworth.

SAIANTHA Padayachee will one day be the head of the Colours of Bliss Autism Centre, a non-profit organisation in Warangal Road, created by her mother, Kubashnie, to provide children with autism with a happy, safe place to learn. The 11-year-old has amazed beachgoers and swimmers alike, as she conquers her challenges when she dives into her favourite hobby.

Despite her many trials she faced while growing up with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Saiantha excelled in swimming and enjoys trips to the pool and beach with her father.

“My dream is for Saiantha to eventually run the organisation and help other children with autism to live a better quality of life. We are currently involved in raising funds for a bigger facility, where we hope to offer swimming lessons where Saiantha can be involved in the teaching process. There is a great need for awareness and we want to leave a legacy which will help generations to come,” said Kubashnie.

NEW Forest High School learner, Mpumelelo Gumede, was 10-years-old when he realised his community had no sport facility and boasts being the founder of Verity Football Club at the tender age of 15.

The Grade 10 lass from Woodlands remembers going door to door as a child, asking young boys and girls to join him and his twin brother in playing soccer.

Filled with excitement, Mpumelelo approached his father to help train the group of children he gathered in 2017. By 2018, the informal club had three divisions, which included an under 11, under 13 and under 15 team.

“Some parents started supporting the team with transport if we had matches outside our area, while others teamed up with my parents to collect money and bought soccer kits. I appreciate that they trusted my initiative. I am proud that the team is registered with the South African Football Association eThekwini Region. We play at the Wentworth Junior League. I am glad I have a hand in keeping away the youth from the street.

We named the team by our main road, because as I started, it consisted the players around there, but now we have players around Montclair and others from Umlazi. I thank my grandfather and my mother as they will help me, as well as all the parents that used to help us with transport and give us support. I really appreciate them. I thank my father for believing in my dreams. I am glad I made a difference to my community. My motto is, be the change you want to see,” said Mpumelelo.

TOP scorer thus far in the Harlequins Cricket Club, Caleb Abrahams, has gained popularity among his fellow cricketers and boasts being the top scorer in a recent tournament as one of his sporting achievements.

The 12-year-old Assegai Primary School learner plays academy cricket and is one of the top players in his age group, with a high score of 121.

The talented lad said he is proud to play club cricket for the Harlequins Cricket Club and is an all-rounder with a 100% average. He is the leading wicket taker with the most runs for the 2022 season, thus far. His dream is to play for the Dolphins and Proteas cricket teams, which will enable him to reach his goal of playing in the Indian Premier League.

ALL-ROUND sportsman and top academic achiever, Levi Pillay, from ML Sultan St Mary’s Primary School has proven that you can achieve it all.

The grade 6 learner loves to play soccer and enjoys swimming. Levi is a straight A learner and hopes to be the head boy at his school.

“My goals are to become an inventor and a famous author. I strive to make my mum proud because she is a single parent who works hard to provide for me. I also want to make the world a better place by being the one who spreads more kindness and compassion to all people I meet. I want to send a shout-out to my school for being the best school in Merebank,” he said.

Levi said he thanks his teachers for motivating him and making his schooling career a memorable and enjoyable experience.

HOME Schooled, Casey Collet, 12, seized the opportunity to show her baking skills to display her passion for helping those battling with cancer.

She dedicated her time and perfectly baked the majority of the cupcakes. she urged people to dedicate their time and skills towards a worthy initiative, like the cupcake for cancer drives, held annually across South Africa.

MIKAELA Kotze, Grade 7 learner at Yellowwood Park Primary School, was placed first from Grade 4 to 6 with an average of 75% and above.

She received an academic merit in 2020 and while was in Grade 5, she was first in her class and was first in her grade in 2021. She is not only an academic, but also the swimming and netball captain and hockey vice-captain.

ZOTHANI Zulu, 4, a Grade R learner at Montclair Junior Primary School, has tackled the challenges of learning new things with gusto and enthusiasm.

Zothani seems to want to master new learning skills, by making a concerted effort to practice them until he gets its right.

May he continue to sustain his learning, through the curriculum, with much interest and dedication.

Amohelang Zondi, a Grade 3 learner at Montclair Junior Primary School, seized the opportunity to show off his all-around creativity on World Read Aloud Day. He made his own book to read aloud to his class to commemorate the day. ‘My mom encouraged me to make a book because I like drawing. I was inspired by her to make my first book. When I grow up, I would love to be an author. I love telling stories. My first book is called In the Treehouse,” said the youngster.

In the book, the protagonist brothers, Ben and Sam, go into their treehouse after school only to find the door open. They go back and forth about whose responsibility it was to have locked the door. The pair eventually devise a plan to keep the door locked when they are not in the treehouse. In his second offering titled, Hiking in The Backyard, the budding author takes the same protagonists onto an adventure right outside their backyard.

“I spent a lot of time with my younger sister making this book. When we had finished making it, I read her the story and she loved it very much,” he said.

DURBAN South Primary School’s Aphiwe Shezi is a bright example to her fellow learners. The Grade 7 learner took on the duty of giving the school’s vote of thanks at a uniform donation function. In the presence of representatives from the KZN Legislature, she boldly took the stage. “What you did will bring financial relief to families suffering because of the economic decline in our country and school. God has already blessed you. You have contributed towards confidence in the learners who will now look uniform as everyone else and this will sure improve even their school performance,” she told the delegates.

Aphiwe partakes in public speaking competitions at school. “I have never won any of them but coming in third and second place makes me want to push myself harder every time,” she said.

The academically inclined learner’s hobbies include contortion, gymnastics and reading novels. She also has a keen interest in learning about how the computer works. “I aspire to be a gynaecologist in the future, reason being I find beauty in a new life being brought into this world. Alternatively, I hope to be a cardiologist because I believe an affected cardiovascular system is not the end of one’s life. I want to encourage people and show them that anything is possible through believing in one’s self. Being a doctor has always been a dream of mine, I am prepared to study between eight to 12 years. As the saying goes, don’t wait for an opportunity, take it. I want to carve my name in the health industry and be known as the greatest doctor of all time,” she added.

JAIDYN Edwards, Grade 10 learner at Bluff Christian Academy, passed her Grade 5 ballet exam with 80%.

Because of this result, she was selected to dance at the Mabel Ryan competition. She is one of 20 girls who were selected from the province.

Jaidyn was made Ballerina of the Year 2021 at the MCD Dance Studio. “We are very proud of Jaidyn’s talent which she recently showcased at the BCA Talent Show,” said the school’s marketer, Michelle Killian.