National Youth Day: across the week, Scrolla.Africa is reviewing the young leaders of South Africa across the fields of sport, dance, politics and more. Dylan Bettencourt takes a look at the young athletes who, over the next decade, will stake their claim as the best in their respective sport.
South Africa has always had immense pride in our sports stars. That could long continue as the nation’s youth carry on creating strong impressions overseas.
Just weeks ago it seemed as if cricketer Mondli Khumalo would never play the sport again. He may not have been the most promising talent, but he was a talent applying his trade abroad.
On a short contract in England, Khumalo went out for celebrations but ended up being beaten so badly, he was placed in an induced coma.
The doctors feared he may never play the sport he so loves ever again. But the South African has made a remarkable recovery, after three surgeries on his brain.
The latest update shows the 21-year-old standing, talking and catching cricket balls once again – as he starts his road back to the field.
South Africa have always shown their brightest on the athletics track with stars such as Caster Semenya and Wayne van Niekerk winning Olympic gold medals.
But there is a new kid on the block in Viwe Jingqi, who is breaking national records at the age of just 17.
In April this year the youngster broke the South African youth record in the 200m, setting a time of just 23.03 seconds.
Jingqi is also the fastest female athlete under the age of 18 in the 100m race, running a time of 11.22 seconds at the South African Junior and Youth Athletics Championships.
In the football world, there are several youngsters that are destined for greatness, locally and internationally.
Tashreeq Matthews, 21, and Luke le Roux, 22, are both players at Swedish side Varbergs BoIS FC. The South African duo have both cemented their spots in the team and have even gathered interest from other clubs around Europe.
On the domestic front Ethan Brooks has shown himself to be one for the future, particularly when Hugo Broos took over Bafana Bafana.
The TS Galaxy midfielder impressed during his appearances for the national team, despite only being 21 years of age.
His display of emotion when Bafana missed out on a spot in the next stage for the Fifa World Cup qualifiers showed the entire country that he is passionate about the team, something the nation has been begging for.
