Walaza and Nkoana vow to keep feet on the ground

As the dust settles post their silver medal victory in the 4x100m relay at the recently concluded 2024 Paris Olympics, SA teenage athletes, Bradley Nkoana and Bayanda Walaza, have promised to not let their newly found fame to get to their heads.

They say they already have plans to help them remain grounded.

Walaza and Nkoana, together with veteran Akani Simbine and Shaun Maswanganyi, made history in Paris last week when they won the silver medal for SA and set an African record time of 37.75 seconds in the process.

Speaking to the media after they arrived at OR Tambo International Airport to scores of fans, friends and family, Walaza and Nkoana said they will handle their success well.

“I already have a [support] team at my school. They support me, they even promised to support me even if I’m done with high school,” said Walaza.

The 18-year-old is a matriculant at Curro Hazeldean in Pretoria and became the fastest teenager in the world with a blistering time of 10.13 seconds in the 100m in March earlier this year.

“I also have the support of my family and mother. Before everything started, the first time I was at Curro, coaches said I would be a star one day. We should plan for everything now. I already have that strong team now. If I do wrong, they tell me what I must do and what I should follow,” he added.

Nkoana (19) also expressed his gratitude to his family.

“I think it has to do with respect as well, more so to your elders. They know what is best and sometimes as youngsters we get ahead of ourselves and think we know better,” Nkoana said.

“We think the world has changed and technology is taking over and think we are better. It goes back to our roots and integrity. I already have a team that’s there for me. I just need to add there and there, I know what happened is big, but I will be able to manage it.” he added.

South Africa’s most successful Olympian, Tatjana Smith, also arrived with the duo.

Sport Minister, Gayton McKenzie, and his deputy, Peace Mabe, were among those who welcomed them back home.

Smith stopped for a selfie and to sign regalia with every single supporter that has asked.

 

The 27-year-old has officially retired from swimming and says she will have to decide on next she will do with her life. Written by Ntsako Mkhari