Curro Hazeldean's champion: Bayanda’s historic Olympic silver
12 August 2024Bayanda Walaza, a name that will undoubtedly resonate beyond the halls of Curro Hazeldean, has made history on the world stage. As a Grade 12 learner, Bayanda’s phenomenal performance in the men’s 4x100m relay at the Paris 2024 Olympics earned him a silver medal and set a new African record - with a slew of records on his belt even before then.
Silver medal for Curro Hazeldean learner
On Friday night, Bayanda, alongside his talented teammates Akani Simbine, Shaun Maswanganyi, and Bradley Nkoana, delivered a performance that left South Africa beaming with pride. The team’s time of 37.57 seconds was just 0.07 seconds short of gold, highlighting the fine margins that often define greatness in athletics. This narrow difference underscores the importance of every detail, every moment, and every decision in the pursuit of excellence – principles deeply embedded in Curro’s educational and athletic programmes.
Manus Hendriks, Curro Sport’s project lead, who has earned the affectionate title of ‘Mr Athletics’ for his dedication, was in Paris to witness this historic moment. Reflecting on the achievement, Manus said, ‘Bayanda's remarkable achievement is a symbol of the power of teamwork and collaboration. With the steadfast support of the coaching staff, Curro Hazeldean, and Curro Holdings, he remained focused, dedicated, and humble throughout his journey. In Paris, he also received valuable guidance from myself and coach Thabo Matebedi. Together, Bayanda and the team qualified for the final and made history! We couldn't be prouder of Bayanda. This achievement marks the beginning of a bright future, and we look forward to seeing many more successes from Bayanda, Curro athletes, and the South African Team.’
Photo credit: AFP
A proud coach
Thabo ‘Coach T’ Matebedi, head coach of Curro Hazeldean’s high-performance athletics programme, also played a pivotal role in Bayanda’s preparation. ‘The Olympic experience has been invaluable in preparing Bayanda for the World U20 Track and Field Championships,’ he shared, before adding that Curro emphasises a holistic approach, focussing on the learner’s physical, academic, emotional, and personal wellbeing.
We're proud to see our learners thrive in all aspects of life,’ he exclaimed.
The celebration of Bayanda’s success didn’t end at the finish line. On Saturday night, Manus and Thabo took Bayanda out to dinner in Paris – a moment of reflection and joy, celebrating not just the medal, but the countless hours of training, sacrifices, and the collective effort that brought Bayanda to this point.
A warm homecoming
As Bayanda returns to Curro Hazeldean, his silver medal represents more than just personal victory, of course. It’s a triumph for the entire Curro community! Bayanda’s journey is far from over, and he will undoubtedly continue to inspire his peers. Curro will be there every step of the way, celebrating each stride, each success, and each lesson learned.
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