Pieter Coetzé is young, but no fish out of water
The teenage swimming sensation has qualified for the Tokyo Olympics but is realistic about repeating Joan Breetzke’s gold medal success in 1952.
Stories by: Karien Jonckheere
Blowing the whistle on patriarchy
As players turned referees, Akhona Makalima and Aimee Barrett-Theron are trailblazers in the male-dominated sports of football and rugby. They share the ups and downs of their jobs.
Why Tokyo Olympics is special for Erin Gallagher
The SA swimmer had a challenging Covid-19 experience as she was hit hard by the virus. But she was able to bounce back and claim three individual national titles. This is how she did it.
Murderball needs money to thrive
The players are talented and passionate, but wheelchair rugby costs money. One player has begun making chairs locally to make it more affordable, but more can be done to produce Paralympians.
What the Netball World Cup can do for SA
Reabetswe Mpete, the woman entrusted with delivering a successful INF World Cup in Cape Town in 2023, says Spar Proteas success in the global showpiece would do the country a world of good.
The psychologist helping athletes retire
Sports psychologist Kirsten van Heerden, who represented South Africa in swimming at the Commonwealth Games, focuses on athletes’ mental health and life after sport.
Darian Townsend’s mission to nurture future swimmers
The South African-born and gold-medal-winning Olympian is looking to build a strong swimming team at Ottawa University where he is now coaching after finishing his career in the US.
Why Zane Waddell has retired at just 22
The Bloemfontein-born swimmer had the world at his feet in 2019. But just over a year later, in an Olympic year, he called it quits. He explains why he retired and what he plans to do now.
Greg Minnaar is still raring to go
Regarded as the greatest downhill mountain biker of all time, the 39-year-old from Pietermaritzburg is hungry for more success despite the glittering career already behind him.
Proteas can win netball World Cup, says Griesel
The Spar Proteas player talks about earning less than casual club rugby players and her expectations of playing the World Cup on home soil in 2023.
Morgan Muvhango’s love-hate relationship with bowls
The 41-year-old from Limpopo talks about how he fell in love with a sport he thought was only for ‘old people’ and the racism he has experienced in the colours of Team SA.
Cindy Nkomo aims to bring glory back to boxing
Boxing SA’s acting chief executive shares her plan to resurrect the pugilist sport she insists is not dead, despite its popularity waning since the heydays of the 1990s.
Faith Ogallo, Kenya’s taekwondo sensation
Ogallo started out as a basketball player. In 2018, she switched to taekwondo and won all the gold medals on offer. She wants Olympic gold now, and it is within her reach.
Naomi Ruele clears the racist waters for black swimmers
The Botswana-born, US-based athlete has faced stigma and racism as a black swimmer. She hopes to change that so future generations have an easier time in the sport.
Anton Raimondo’s sitting volleyball mission in SA
Raimondo fell in love with sitting volleyball when looking for a new sport to play after losing his leg in a motorbike accident. A dual citizen, he went on to represent Great Britain at the Paralympic Games.
Sunette Viljoen shooting for gold at fifth Olympics
The javelin veteran, who has recovered from a back injury, is confident she can do something she has never done in her career at the Tokyo Olympics.
Themba Gorimbo aims to be Africa’s UFC answer
The Zimbabwean mixed martial arts fighter wants to be the first Ultimate Fighting Championship champion from Africa. It’s a tough challenge, but he’s beaten bigger odds to get to where he is today.
SA swimmers adjust as Olympics is postponed
Tatjana Schoenmaker and Zane Waddell share how they are handling uncertainty during the coronavirus pandemic and the postponement of the 2020 Olympic Games by a year.
Nzimande bids for a Dusi Canoe Marathon win
Khumbulani Nzimande vividly recalls Thulani Mbanjwa returning to the Valley of a Thousand Hills in a helicopter after winning the Dusi River marathon. He wants to be the next local champion.
Thabo Rateleki challenges slopes and stereotypes
The young South African skier recently represented the country in the slalom event at the Winter Youth Olympic Games in Switzerland. Now, he wants to graduate to the main event.
Siya Vato sailing in uncharted territory
Although it’s considered that the 26-year-old will be the first black skipper in the Cape2Rio Yacht Race, his focus is more on winning and inspiring future generations.