Spar Superstars Southlands Sun 2023

GRADE 12 learner at Grosvenor Boys’ High School, Ezra Oliver (below), achieved first place for the academic year.
He received awards for Afrikaans, maths and physical science. The 18-year-old, who is the RCL chairman and has achieved his academic full colours said hard work and consistency has enabled him to achieve his goals.
Ezra said he intends on studying medicine and wants to pursue a career as an anesthesiologist.

GRADE 11 prefect at Bluff Christian Academy, Ethan Joseph, fits the role of an all-rounder who excels both academically and in sport.
Ethan does well in all his subjects and is an excellent football player. Principal of Bluff Christian Academy, Benjamin Mpangase, said Ethan performs his duties diligently, calmly and quietly.
“He cares about the learners and shows it in his attitude towards them. He always has a kind word for all even those who might be in a spot of trouble. His manners towards staff and visitors are exemplary and he is always willing to lend a helping hand. For these reasons we wish to nominate him as our superstar,” Mpangase said.

WENTWORTH Secondary School’s top achiever, and deputy head girl, Amile Masoka, is hoping to help her fellow classmates reach their full potential by assisting them with tutoring.
The Grade 12 learner said she has been providing tutoring for accounting.
“I believe it is important to help others that are in need. Offering the tutoring and having study groups as we approach the final year examinations has been beneficial. I want to help uplift others in any way possible.
Amile, 17, was also selected for the UKZN’s Teach The Nation and Be a Scientist holiday programme for her great maths and science marks.
She intends on studying medicine and wants to pursue a career as a surgeon.

KHAYA Dumakude (below), a Grade 12 learner at Grosvenor Boys High School, has achieved academic success throughout the year.
The 17-year-old was placed as one of the top two academic achievers for 2023. He received awards for isiZulu, English and accounting. He is also the head prefect and team leader for all grades.
“It was not easy, but it was a great feeling to achieve my academic full colours this year. I believe it was my hard work and dedication that has allowed me such an achievement.”

FOR up-and-coming pianist, Tshegofatso Moroke, 9, playing the piano makes him happy and proud of himself.
Moroke, a Grade 3 learner at Montclair Junior Primary School, has had the opportunity to play at the school’s concert recently and at his church. He is now getting ready to play at an upcoming senior citizens Christmas tea hosted by the school.
Heather Sumpton, the school’s music teacher said, “I am inspired by his dedication to nurture his talent. Being able to play has brought him a sense of joy and achievement. The school wishes him much great success and looks forward to hearing him play at the senior citizens’ event.”

KUNGAWO Madyibi, an academic achiever and sport fanatic, has once again done her teachers proud at Nizam Road Primary School.
The Grade 7 lass enjoys reading and learning, and has pushed herself to do better every term, this year. Achieving academic success, Kungawo believes is not easy, but neither is it difficult.
“You have to be dedicated and make time to study and revise in order to do your best,” she said.

NIZAM Road Primary School Grade 7 learner, Leah Meghnath, was honoured to have been nominated as an academic leader at her school and prides herself in setting the bar high for herself, academically. She aspires to make her school and herself proud and attain all A’s in the final examinations.

HAVING only been introduced to the team sport rugby earlier this year, Amahle Sibobi, 14, has already earned a bronze medal.
Amahle, a Grade 8 learner and rugby player at Mowat Park High School, was chosen as part of the KZN Province U15 girls team.
The team competed at the South African Sports School National Tournament held in Benoni recently. They won third place and received a bronze medal.
Wandile Khumalo, the school’s sports coordinator and rugby coach said, “Not many 14-year-olds can say that they have earned a bronze medal from a national tournament.
We at the school are immensely proud of her achievements.”

DESPITE facing several challenges over the past few years, Camdyn Keswell, 13, has remained determined to achieve success.
The Grade 8 learner at Wentworth Secondary School, was diagnosed with stage 3 Wilms tumor, which is a rare kidney cancer at the age of five. He was due to start Grade R, however, due to treatment of chemotherapy and radiation as well as major surgery to remove his right kidney he had missed out on the year.
“It was decided that I would be put straight into Grade 1. However, not being able to read and write was a cause for concern. My parents and teacher worked very hard with me and in a matter of weeks I could read and write and was an A student.
“My dad unexpectedly passed away five years ago and it changed our lives forever. But, I knew I had to make him proud and continued to work hard at school. I placed second in my class in Grade 7 last year and have been working harder this year. I am determined to become a pilot and to be somebody successful so I can inspire others to fulfil their dreams and goals,” he said.

ABONGILE Cele, a Grade 8 learner at New Forest High School, has made herself, family and school proud. The 15-year-old, of Yellowwood Park, was selected by the KZN High Schools’ Football Association to be part of the U15 KZN soccer team. The team will be participating in a tour set to take place in Johannesburg from October 6 to 9. The team will be competing against various teams from and not limited to Gauteng. Abongile, who plays for her school team and the Sunflower FC, said she was very excited for the opportunity.“I am very proud of myself as I always aim to do my best on the field since I started playing at the age of eight. This is also a great opportunity for me to showcase my skills. My goal is to one day represent my country and play for the South African women’s team,” she said.

TAKING great pride in serving his community at the tender age of five, Shivaay Deepnarain, a Grade R learner from St Mary’s Primary School, aspires to be a humanitarian.
His love for his community, which he serves through being a volunteer with his grandmother, shines when Shivaay is seen distributing pamphlets during community initiatives or handing a warm meal to elderly or impoverished residents during food drives.
The urge to assist overcomes his playful tendencies when he is given a task, which he carries out with honour. His cheerful, friendly nature and bright smile has easily enabled him to be a popular favourite among volunteers in the community.

Deen Liddle, a Grade 3 learner at Marlborough Park Junior Primary School, has many passions which he pursues with determination. The talented soccer player enjoys art and painting in his spare time and enjoys interacting with and helping other children.

SPORT fanatic, Blake Hutchinson, found himself caught between his love for soccer and his passion for rugby and when he found himself unable to make commitments to both sport, chose to pursue soccer. The Grade 6 Brighton Beach Senior Primary School learner is a skilled soccer player as well as a die-hard soccer fan. After giving up his spot on the Harlequins junior rugby team to focus on soccer, he still finds himself tackling rugby at school level. He plays soccer for two teams, the Fynnlands Combined Sports Club team and the Brighton Beach Senior Primary School Football Club.
At the Fynnlands annual schools sports tournament this year, he was scouted by Kingsway High School to apply for a scholarship for Rugby for 2024. Since he is only in Grade 6, he will only be able to apply for the Kingsway’s scholarship next year when he is in Grade 7 for 2025.

RISIMA Koza has made her school proud after she selected for the Sharks U16 provincial team.

The 16-year-old Grade 11 learner at the Mowat Park High School, recently competed with the team in an interprovincial tour, held in Gauteng.

Risima, who also plays for her school’s U16 team and is a prop, said her passion for rugby developed when it was introduced to the school in 2022.

“I decided to challenge myself and see what my body and I as a person was capable of. As soon as I got onto the field, I loved it and instantly decided I was meant to play this sport. It also has some great benefits. When I am out on the field I am able to release all of my stress and tension. I feel good and much more relaxed after a training session or match,” she said.

Risima said her goal is to play professionally and join The Cell C Sharks Women’s team.

“Hopefully, I will also get the opportunity to play for the provincial team and maybe later on for the Springbok women’s team,” she said.

NOSIPHO Chiliza, a Grade 12 learner, will be the first learner to receive a white blazer for sailing at her school.

Nosipho, who attends Mowat Park High School, recently competed in the MSC ‘All Around the World’ open water race. The 16-year-old said she first joined the school’s sailing team in Grade 9, and has since earned her full colours. However, she was unable to continue with her sailing at the school due to it not being offered in matric.

“I was only able to reach level 3. However, I was given the opportunity to train and compete for Sail Africa, who are the sponsors for the school’s team.

“I have achieved level 4 and will receive my honour colours and a white blazer. I am very happy and proud of my achievement,” she said.

FAIRVALE Secondary School learner, Ethan Chetty, has made his mark in the cue sporting world and scooped the title as South Africa’s 2023 U18 and U23 pool champion.

The Grade 12 lad has not stopped stacking up his accolades and was recently also named both the U19 8 Ball and U19 9 Ball champion at the KZN American 8 Ball and 9 Ball Junior Championships.

The 17-year-old holds various cue sport titles and was dubbed ‘Killer Laaitie’ for his exceptional skills in cue sport, and has been continuing his winning streak in the cue sporting world.

Bagging an array of trophies and titles since he entered as a junior in competitive cue sport, Ethan has played in various tournaments and championships in South Africa and has travelled to different countries, including China and Morocco. He has won the U18 national championships three years consecutively and aims to inspire youngsters to try their hand at cue sport.

WENTWORTH Secondary School head prefect, Esethu Phiri, has achieved academic excellence consistently in his Grade 12 year.

The bright learner achieved six distinctions in the June examination of 2023. He achieved a 92% pass in life sciences and a 91% pass in accounting.

Esethu was also selected to attend the High Achievers Camp, a July holiday programme set up by the Department of Education’s Umlazi District. He is also a peer tutor for most of his subjects and provides support, encouragement and motivation to his classmates to overcome their academic challenges.

Esethu has received awards for his soccer team for being the top goal scorer. He also initiated and helped to organise a soccer tournament to raise funds for the school and also promoting unity and discipline within the school.

YAMKELWA Maphumulo is a Grade 9 learner at Grosvenor Girls High School, and she has a passion for drummies. Through her hard work and practice she has achieved her KZN provincial colours and South African Majorettes and Cheerleading Association colours.

She says that being apart of drummies is not about winning, but the best part for her is travelling to other provinces. “Drummies is about being together and building a strong sisterhood bond with your fellow majorettes,” said Yamkelwa. Wanting to just march her heart out, she loves drummies since 2015. Drummies always puts a smile on her face.

PHUMELE Mthimkulu has a passion for drama. After choosing physics she had a strong desire to change her subject selection to drama. Since the change she has thrived in the drama studio as well as being selected to compete at the prestigious Bruce Piper monologue competition.

The competition is held annually by the Speech and Drama Association of South Africa. The event took place on November 5 last year, and although Phumele did not win, she performed admirably. She is a Grade 11 learner at Grosvenor Girls High School.

Siphokazi Khumalo, from Ningizimu Special School, together with the school’s female football team and male basketball team, will represent South Africa in the 2023 Special Olympics World Games in Berlin, Germany. Here she is showing off her ball skills.

GRADE 1 learner, Reichlin Blaine Naidoo, has been making a splash at various swimming events and recently won the 25m breaststroke race at the St Mary’s Kloof swimming gala, while bagging a third-place win for the butterfly stroke race.

The Marlborough Park Junior Primary School lad swims for Seagulls Bluff and also completed his third 1km swim in the DUC League swims last month. No stranger to braving the waters, Reichlin also completed his second Midmar Mile Capital K 1km open water swim at Midmar Dam this year. When he is not engaged in swimming, Reichlin can be found playing the guitar and keyboard, which he began learning recently

Camishta is a Grade 11 learner at Grosvenor Girls High School.

KARATE champion, Mhlonishwa Cele, 15, has his sight set on bringing home gold as he gets ready to compete in an international tournament in Japan later this year.

The Grade 10 learner at New Forest High School, recently competed in the 2023 All Africa Selection Tournament, and won first place in the youth elite category for boys.

Cele, who does kyokushin karate training at Howard College, and has a green belt, said he will now be competing in the 2023 World Tournament.

“I am very excited for the opportunity. I have had a passion for karate from a young age, and my goal is to now to climb to the top.”

CAMISHTA swam her first Midmar Mile at the age of 16.

Having completed the prestigious race was not only a dream of hers, but also a great achievement as it was the 50th edition of the Aquelle Midmar Mile.

It is a tough enduring race that has tested many athletes.

Many hours of training coupled with time management skills allowed her to reach her desired goal. Even though she did not have any formal swim training or a coach, she believed in herself and worked timeously to practice and is delighted with her achievement.

This is an exceptional display of leadership, dedication, self-motivation and hard work.

Camishta is a Grade 11 learner at Grosvenor Girls High School.

FOR soccer fanatic, Ishaq Mohamed, being able to compete at an international cup was a dream come true.

Ishaq, 9, of Clairwood, together with his soccer team, Durban Lyons Football Club (FC), competed in the Youth Easter Soccer (YES) Cup, an international youth football tournament, which took place in Milan, Italy, in April.

The Grade 4 learner at South Coast Madressa School, said it was an once in a lifetime experience.

“It was an amazing experience and I am so happy that I got to play in another country. Our U10 team did very well and ranked seventh out of 18 countries. I cannot wait to compete in more international and national tournaments. My goal is to play professionally in the future and hopefully for my favourite team, Liverpool,” he said.

DURBAN South Primary School has many talented and gifted learners who excel academically, creatively, in public speaking or in sport, one of which is 10-year-old Slindile Mkhize.

The Grade 5 learner excels in netball and has been playing for the past two years. Slindile has been participating in the school’s inter-class tournament, and scored 12 goals in two matches. She is a team player who understands the dynamics in netball, knows the rules of the game very well and is a leader in her team.

Slindile, who plays for a local netball club, trains with them three times a week and hopes to play at higher levels in future.

TALENTED majorette and Bluff Christian Academy learner, Kwenzeka Gumede, was placed first in the KZNMCA Competition, recently. Drumming her way to success, the Grade 7 learner joined the Fynnlands Crest Majorettes in 2020.

Kwenzeka is also an excellent academic and was proud to be the deputy head of her squad who were placed first in the KZNMCA competition.

Bluff Christian Academy is very proud of her drumming achievements.

Despite Wentworth Angels closing its doors due to personal circumstances affecting Williams, Leo has been at the forefront of keeping the organisations legacy alive while helping those in need.

KIONTE’ Anderson, a Grade 5 learner at Durban East Primary school, was selected to play with his team at the Youth Easter Soccer(YES) Cup, an international youth football tournament, set to take place in Milan, Italy, from April 6 to 9.

Kionte’, 9, of Austerville, is a left-footed winger/ midfielder for the Durban Lyons.

The youngster who only started playing soccer last year, said it was a dream come true to be selected, and that his dream is to hopefully to represent the country in a world cup and play for Manchester United one day.

A GREAT samaritan in the making, Leo Lee Wright, has been actively keeping the legacy of his mom’s organisation called Wentworth Angels alive by helping make lunch for underprivileged children at his school.

The Grade 8 PR Pather Secondary School learner, who lost his father two years ago, makes sandwiches with his mom, Tracy Williams, and uses his own money to purchase items for community initiatives he finds close to his heart.

Despite Wentworth Angels closing its doors due to personal circumstances affecting Williams, Leo has been at the forefront of keeping the organisations legacy alive while helping those in need.

SINCE a young age, Cade Johansen, 14, has had a passion for sport, mainly athletics.

The Grade 9 learner at Grosvenor Boys High School, who has run many races over the years, recently competed in the eThekwini Best of the Best Marathon held at the Kingspark Athletics Stadium.

He placed sixth in his age category with a time of 47 minutes.

Cade, who is part of the Ethekwini Athletic Club, said: “I feel free when doing races and really enjoy them. My goal is to run and finish the Comrades Marathon.”

Jade Viljoen, a Grade 12 learner at New Forest High School, has made herself, her family and school proud.

The 17-year-old, of Yellowwood Park, participated and completed her first aQuelle Midmar Mile in an hour. She said it was more special as it was 50th edition of the world’s largest open water swim.

“I am very proud of myself as I did not expect to complete it, but I was determined to try. It was definitely not an easy task. I am also the first member of my family to participate in the Midmar Mile. My school is also proud of me, and awarded me with a certificate for my achievement. I can’t wait to participate in the next one. My goal is to be a swimming coach in the future,” she said.