At Grocott’s Mail, a weekly sponsored slot in the sports section involves a mini-profile of an athlete in Grahamstown (Makhanda), as well as a prize for that person. As the sports editor at the time, I had to not only identify the hero athlete each week, but interview them and construct a short (200-300 word) profile of them and their accolades in sport. As the year went on, we decided to focus on individual schools in the town, to not only give them all a fair chance at receiving an award, but also to share the stories of the schools as well.
Hero of the week: Johan Botha
Johan Botha recently came back to Makhanda (Grahamstown) having placed in the prestigious Mr World Bodybuilding competition in Taranto, Italy, 13-16 October. Botha came fourth in the Masters division of the Mr Universe competition, after months of training and preparation. READ MORE…
Hero of the week: David Blenkinsop
After the Rhodes Internal Premier League (RIPL) Cricket tournament drew to a close on Friday 28 September, David Blenkinsop was named best shot of the tournament, best newcomer of the tournament, as well as best player in his side, the Hill Challengers. However, this outstanding performance throughout the Rhodes Premier League is just the tip of the iceberg. READ MORE…
Hero of the week: Mziwoxolo Ndwayana
After an intense battle against the defending champion, Sean Ness, Makhanda’s Champion, Mziwoxolo Ndwayana won the South African Welterweight Championship in Johannesburg last month. This is the second championship that Ndwayana has won in his eighteen year career, with his previous belt being the World Boxing Federation (WBF) Welterweight championship. READ MORE…
Hero of the week: Yondela Masande Norman
Rhodes University’s Yondela Masande Norman, won the Purple Gloves Promotions Main event on Friday 21 September in his first ever amateur bout. Norman beat S.C. Ngubo by split decision in the main event of the first ever Rhodes Fight Night event. READ MORE…
Hero of the Week: RU’s Three Muskateers
At the end of the annual Rhodes Internal League Rugby tournament, three players topped the try scoring record, with Sino Ralo, Cameron Libera and Devon Barnard all scoring five tries each for their respective teams. READ MORE…
On top of the usual Hero of the week articles, in August 2018, the local karate clubs approached Grocott’s Mail to promote their free classes for women’s month. Rather than simply advertise the classes, I suggested that we write a weekly mini-profile on a woman karateka for the duration of the free classes. These are those articles…
Karate women promote confidence
After what some might consider a late start to karate, Maureen de Jager has earned her third dan black belt, the prize for dedicating 14 years of her life to the discipline. “I wish I had started when I was a youngster,” said De Jager. “But I don’t believe that there is any time that is too late to start. Better start at 32 than not at all.” READ MORE…
Disciplined Karate
After training for 14 years, Nolusindiso Yakeni has earned her brown belt at just 20 years old. Yakeni believes that karate is empowering for women. “There are bullies and men that abuse women,” said Yakeni, “so karate can help us to defend ourselves.” READ MORE…
Meet the fierce karate women
Good friends and training buddies, Zarina Syed Cassim and Shehnaaz Asmal-Motara, have been training at the Hill Street Masonic Centre Shotokan Karate Dojo for just over a year. Having been watching their children participate for a couple of months, both women noticed the benefits of karate, and decided to take up the art themselves. Both Syed Cassim and Asmal-Motara believe that karate has helped bring balance and focus to their lives, and that it is important for teaching discipline for both young and old. READ MORE…
Hero of the Week: Jade Slabbert
A rising star at Grahamstown Primary, Jade Slabbert is a talented and energetic young athlete and student. Slobber is a grade 6 pupil at Grahamstown Primary, who is passionate about sport, focusing on cricket and rugby in particular. READ MORE…
Hero of the Week: Rozario Fourie
Rozario Fourie is a talented young rugby player from Oatlands Preparatory School. The Grade 5 pupil has been playing exceptionally on the rugby field since he started at Oatlands, and even received an award from the school in 2016. READ MORE…
Hero of the Week: Lwando Mtwa
Lwando Mtwa, a second year Rhodes University student, has recently been named in the Eastern Cape Pool side to take part in the South African U23 National 8-Ball Pool Championships. The event will take place between 30 September and 5 October; with Mtwa joining two other Rhodes students (Kaylene Brown and Hope Prince), in the five person EC team. READ MORE…
Hero of the week: Zinathi Mbenyana
After a stellar performance for Kingswood’s Girls’ first hockey team at the annual K-Day derby, Zinathi Mbenyana was identified as the standout player in the first team hockey encounter between Kingswood and DSG. Despite neither team managing to outscore the other, Mbenyana was the difference between the sides on the day. READ MORE…
HERO OF THE WEEK: Cole Kirkwood
Cole Kirkwood is an outstanding and dedicated rugby player for Mary Waters who just recently been named in the in the Eastern Province (EP) U19 trials team to face the Griquas in Kimberley. READ MORE…
HERO OF THE WEEK: Rhodes Archery EC Champions
Rhodes University Archery Club hosted the Eastern Cape Target Championships on Sunday 11 March 2018. In addition to hosting a successful event, Rhodes Archery Club could celebrate a strong performance from all of their archers. However, it was Yashin Naidoo, Derryn Nel, and James McAlpine that really shone in the Grahamstown sun on the day. READ MORE…
Sports Hero of the Week: Sole Sisters
The Sole Sisters comprises a group of 11 women who formed a running club that focuses on empowering women and children through running and the support of charity donations. With their first “journey” being the success it was in 2017, the Sole Sisters look to continue their positive journey in 2018, with a 107km run of the Baviaans River Conservancy (Eastern Cape) between Blanco and Bedford over three days in late April. READ MORE….
Hero of the week: St Andrew’s Water Polo team
For the fifth time in its long and prestigious history, the St Andrew’s College first team took home first place in the 2018 edition of the Vides Water Polo Tournament. This achievement is notable considering that the side had no fewer that seven Grade 10 pupils in the starting lineup. READ MORE…
SPORTS HERO OF THE WEEK: Francois van Rooyen
With a father a former Free State Easterns player and raised with a passion for cricket from an early age, Francois van Rooyen has developed into the top all-rounder in the Grahamstown Cricket Board (GCB) first league. He is the second best batsman in the first league (with 432 runs) and fifth best bowler (with 18 wickets), beating out many specialist players in both categories. READ MORE…
Stephen Kisbey-Green Photography 