EDUCATION FIRST Paris Olympics silver medalist Bayanda Walaza has enrolled in the Tshwane University of Technology .Photo: Andrej Isakovic/AFP
Image: Andrej Isakovic/AFP
Teenage Olympic silver medalist Bayanda Walaza has enrolled at the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), it was confirmed on Tuesday.
The sprinter who will celebrate his 19th birthday next month will be studying Supply Chain Management.
Walaza was part of the men’s 4x100m relay team alongside Akani Simbine, Shaun Maswanganyi and Bradley Nkoana at the Paris Olympics in August last year.
It was a stunning race, in which Team SA finished second behind Canada while the much-fancied USA outfit fumbled a changeover before being disqualified.
“TUT is not just a university, it is a community of champions. I’m excited to be part of an environment that values academic and athletic excellence. I am determined to move from good to great in both,” said Walaza.
Walaza lost his father in a tragic incident at the age of 10, and his mother Tholiwe was tasked with raising her young son on her own.
Walaza said his time in Paris would be something he never forgets.
“It feels kinda great. Being one of the people who got a silver medal for South Africa, I will cherish it,” said Walaza.
As for the Olympic experience itself, Walaza said he went through a multitude of emotions.
“I went through the emotions because there was a point where I was shaking. Then I saw messages of good luck from everyone at the school, that made me think - these people are behind me, so why should I be scared? I’m carrying this whole school behind me, so let me just go there and do what I do best.
“The final was great as everything went as planned. The changeovers were smooth, my start was the best. I thought if I die, let me die after the baton is out of my hand. I just pushed, everyone pushed. It was the greatest moment ever.”