The return of Olympic silver medalist Bayanda Walaza to his school, Curro Hazeldean, was a heartwarming display of community pride and support.
Pretoria, South African (15 August 2024) – Greeted with overwhelming enthusiasm by his peers and teachers, Bayanda Walaza’s journey from a young student to an international sports star is an inspiration to all.
National Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube, visited the school on Thursday to personally congratulate the Grade 12 learner who is South Africa’s latest sprinting sensation after the SA team clinched a silver medal in the 4x100m relay at the Paris Olympics.
A video captured the uplifting moment he returned to school at Curro Hazeldean High School; his peers broke out in cheer and praise as they welcomed their very own Olympian, whose achievement not only made school history but proved that even the wildest of dreams is attainable.
“Bayanda is the first-ever Olympian to emerge from Curro and we are all incredibly proud of his fantastic achievement. He embodies the values of perseverance, excellence, and humility that we strive to instil in our learners, and Minister Gwarube’s visit further highlights the significance of Bayanda’s accomplishments. Curro is honoured to be part of Bayanda’s inspirational journey and look forward to supporting him as he continues to inspire both on and off the athletics track,” said Cobus Loubser, CEO of Curro Holdings.
Bayanda was also greeted like a true champion, with banners, beaming screams, and smiles throughout the terminal at the OR Tambo International Airport, which was buzzing with excitement on Tuesday, 13 August.
“This was a momentous day for all of us at the school and we are incredibly proud to welcome Bayanda back to South Africa. He inspires us and all our learners to believe that they can dream big, and his humility and determination make him a brilliant role model for our school. Our focus is now rallying behind him to ensure that his academic journey is just as successful as his athletic career,” said Pierre le Roux, Executive Head at Curro Hazeldean.
Backed by the unwavering support of his teachers and dedicated coach, ‘Coach T’, Bayanda is determined to keep his winning streak alive. His sights are set on representing South Africa at the World U20 Track & Field Championships in Peru this month.
However, before he can chase his global dream, he must first conquer another hurdle – his upcoming preliminary exams on August 19th. We wish this champion all the success, on and off the track!
[WATCH] Bayanda Walaza arrives to a hero’s welcome at Curro Hazeldean High in Pretoria. He was part of the 4x100m SA relay team that clinched a silver medal at the Paris Olympic Games. #Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/hxFcY7VTmZ
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) August 15, 2024
Sources: NRPR
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