Walaza: Believe in yourself and you can achieve anything
Basic Education Minister Sivime Gwarube has lauded the team spirit shown by South African athlete Bayanda Walaza.
Walaza won a silver medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics as part of the 4x100m relay team.
The 18-year returned to school on Thursday following his Olympic adventure.
Speaking at the Curro Hazelden School in Pretoria during Walaza’s return, Gwarube emphasised the importance of teamwork.
“When I was reading up on relay running, I realised that it is the epitome of teamwork because there has to be a great deal of trust in the team where you are trusting one another to pull together…this reminds me of what life is going to look like.
“You are going to go out into the big bad world, and you will find people who will be your team player. Be the kind of team player you would like to find on your team."
Walaza thanked his schoolmates for their support during the Olympics.
“The guys mean a lot to me and this is for you to show you that anything is possible. Don’t think that you are young you cannot accomplish anything in life, you can still be something…just believe in what you are doing, trust yourself and everything will come your way," he said.
Curro Schools CEO Cobus Loubser expressed his confidence in what the teen can still achieve.
“So many more opportunities to create, so many more opportunities to take. So, Ayanda your run has not ended, you have so many more great hills to climb some of it on the athletics track some in other aspects of life and you are ready for it."
Speaking to the SABC, Walaza added that he has been training hard for the rest of the season.
“We still have a lot of work to do because we still have to go run at the World Juniors as well, so we are preparing for that."
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