By Khaya Mntsantsa<\/p>\n
Colesburg<\/p>\n
Three young athletes from the Karoo are fine-tuning their form in Kimberley as they prepare to represent the Northern Cape at the South African Schools Athletics Championships in Tshwane. Randy Oerson, 17, from Noupoort; Alwaba Lubaxa from Colesberg; and Liviwe Williams from Richmond are part of a strong provincial team heading to nationals at Pilditch Stadium from 30 April to 2 May 2026.<\/p>\n
The Northern Cape Department of Sport, Arts and Culture confirmed this week that 86 talented learners will represent the province at the championships. The athletes earned their provincial colours through school, district and provincial trials. \u201cThe structured system ensures that only the most dedicated and high-performing athletes are selected to represent the Northern Cape on the national stage,\u201d the department said in a statement. Oerson started running at 13. He competed at nationals in Bloemfontein in 2025 and has qualified again this year. \u201cI made it again to the nationals athletics of 2026 in Pretoria,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Lubaxa, a learner at Umso High School in Colesberg, began athletics at just 7 years old in 2017. He first reached district level in 2022 but his journey ended there each year \u2013 until now. \u201cThis year I trained very hard and I made it to the nationals,\u201d Lubaxa said.<\/p>\n
Williams, who runs for Richmond High School, also started at age 7 at Bennie Groenewald Prim\u00eare Skool. For years he qualified only to circuit level. He reached provincial level in 2025 and pushed through to nationals in 2026 after intense training. \u201cI trained very hard and reached the South African School Athletics (National),\u201d Williams said.His mother, Nosipho Theodora Williams, has been by his side throughout. \u201cI\u2019m very proud of him and I\u2019m always there for him.<\/p>\n
Since he started athletics I\u2019m traveling with him as well from regional level. Even now I\u2019m going to Pretoria to watch him. I\u2019m his number one supporter,\u201d she said.His coach is Mr Roderick de Klerk, an educator at Richmond High School. Although not with the team in Kimberley at the moment, he said the mood in the Northern Cape squad is positive.<\/p>\n
The team held a practice session at De Beers Stadium on 27 April and continues training. De Klerk highlighted the challenges facing his school. \u201cRichmond High School forms part of a very impoverished community where we don\u2019t even have any proper sporting facilities and infrastructure,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Despite this, he believes the athletes will perform well. \u201cI believe our athletes will give a good account of themselves.\u201d He added that Pixley Ka Seme District has 13 athletes in the Northern Cape team, and that most parents are heavily involved. \u201cMost of the parents will travel to the competition at their own expense,\u201d De Klerk said.<\/p>\n
Senior Education Specialist for school sport, arts and culture in the Pixley Ka Seme District, Luvo Manona, said the Department of Education is running a full athletics programme to develop learners. \u201cWe implement a full athletes programme through inter-school athletic events where learners are identified and nurtured,\u201d Manona told Pixley Independent.<\/p>\n
Preparation in the district runs through four levels: inter-house, towns, circuit, and district championships. \u201cThis is where talent is identified and nurtured,\u201d he said. Manona added that community interest in athletics is massive. \u201cThe interest by the local community in athletics is so massive and we appreciate the huge support. I believe our athletes will leave no stone unturned in their quest for glory at the championships.\u201d<\/p>\n
According to the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, the provincial team will be supported by a dedicated management team that includes a coach and medical personnel \u2013 a doctor and a physiotherapist \u2013 to ensure athletes are well-prepared and cared for throughout the championships. \u201cSchool sport remains a vital pillar in the development of young people. It not only provides a platform for identifying and nurturing sporting talent, but also promotes discipline, resilience, teamwork and a healthy lifestyle,\u201d the department said.<\/p>\n
It also acknowledged the role of educators, coaches, parents and guardians in supporting athletes. \u201cThe Northern Cape wishes all 86 athletes the very best as they prepare to compete against the best young talent from across the country.<\/p>\n
“The province stands proudly behind them and is confident they will represent the Northern Cape with pride, determination and excellence,\u201d the statement concluded. About the ChampionshipsThe South African Schools Athletics Championships is the premier track and field competition for school athletes in the country.<\/p>\n
Hosted annually by Athletics South Africa in partnership with the Department of Basic Education, the event draws top qualifiers from all nine provinces competing in U15, U17 and U19 age groups. Athletes must advance through circuit, district and provincial meets to secure a spot.<\/p>\n
The four-day meeting at Pilditch Stadium in Tshwane is a key scouting ground for national junior teams and university scholarships, with events covering sprints, middle and long distance, hurdles, relays, jumps and throws.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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