South Africa’s Bayanda Walaza celebrates his win at the World Athletics U20 Championships. Despite the challenging task of balancing their demanding sporting schedules with their studies, three of South Africa's brightest sporting stars successfully passed their matric.
Image: World Athletics via X
Despite the difficult task of balancing their demanding sporting schedules with their studies, three of South Africa's brightest sporting stars successfully passed their matric.
Learners across the country received their matric results on Tuesday, with many taking to social media to share their excitement about about having passed matric.
The Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube, announced on Monday that the matric class of 2024 achieved a pass rate of 87.3% — the highest pass rate ever recorded in the country's history.
As matriculants across the nation continue to celebrate their results, IOL Sport takes a look at three of South Africa’s sporting heroes who successfully passed their matric.
The 18-year-old Maphaka, who attended St Stithians College, had a remarkable 2024. He represented South Africa in the Under-19 World Cup before making history as one of the youngest players ever to compete in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
The left-arm fast bowler also made his debut for the Proteas in all three formats of the game.
These were reportedly some of Maphaka's subject results as per Club Cricket SA
The 18-year-old Walaza attended Curro Hazeldean High School in Pretoria.
The teenage sprinting sensation was part of the men's 4x100m relay team that won a silver medal at the Olympic Games earlier this year. He followed this achievement with an outstanding performance at the World Athletics Under-20 Championships in Peru, where he won gold in both the 100m and 200m events.
Despite his busy schedule, Walaza managed to pass his matric exams. Speaking after receiving his results, the 18-year-old said he had a feeling he would do well
“I had this feeling that I had passed, but then when it’s the build-up to the actual moment the nerves kicked in. I would say that I was almost as nervous as I was for the final of the 4x100m relay at the Olympics. The difference though was that in Paris I could control my destiny. Here it was just wait and see!” Walaza said as per Team South Africa
Pretorius also attended St Stithians College and had an eventful 2024, representing South Africa at the U19 World Cup.
The 18-year-old also made a strong impression for the Titans on his debut, scoring a century in December of last year. Currently, the young batter is playing for the Paarl Royals in the ongoing SA20, and is receiving widespread praise for his impressive performances at the tournament.
IOL Sport
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