SPAR SCHOOL STARS 2024

Aspiring young writer Siyamthanda Zungu, a Grade 5 Ashram Primary School pupil, already has a book to her name titled ‘A Ride with an Angel’. She is also a good steward of the environment as she volunteers her time to engage in awareness and clean-up campaigns such as in the KwaDukuza CBD and Salt Rock beach clean-up programmes.

Ashton International North Coast Grade 2 gymnasts Sarah Laing claimed two gold medals at recent rhythmic gymnastics competitions in Durban. She finished first in the hoop in the Level 2 U8 category, and also won the free dance competition, scoring the highest among the Level 2 U8s, U9s, U10s and U11s.

Crawford International North Coast Grade 6 pupil Shravan Kumar is a top chess player making a name for himself. Competing in the Durban and Districts chess trials which attracted 200 players from various primary schools, Kumar achieved a 3rd place in his division.

Reddam House Ballito Grade 7 pupil Siphiwosenkosi Gumede is the chairman of his school’s sports body for pupils. He introduces fun activities to peers and encourages them to explore physical activities. Gumede is a keen hockey player and represented his school in the iLembe district and the KZN U13A team, earning him full hockey colours.

Ashton International North Coast Grade 12 pupil Riley Bac reached a significant milestone last month when he obtained his private pilot license. The 17-year-old aviation enthusiast pursued his dream to fly at the Star Lights Aviation Academy. His dedication and passion for aviation led him to become a young pilot in just six months.

Crawford International North Coast College pupil and first team netball and hockey player Sana Tewary has been selected for the the KZN Schools U17 netball team. She will be heading off to Pretoria for the SA Schools Telkom Championships at the end of this month. Tewary has also made the cut as a member of the KZN Country Districts hockey team. The versatile athlete also represented KZN at the national biathlon championships in 2022 and the previous year received full colours in swimming after competing at the SA Regional Level 3 Championships gala where she earned three bronze medals in the 200m individual medley, 200m freestyle and 200m breaststroke events.

Curro Salt Rock pupil Megan du Plessis knows her stuff when it comes to the netball court. Her dedication at a recent tournament in Boksburg has earned her selection to the U15 KZN school netball team.

Banele Khumalo is a talented young gospel singer who is often invited to sing at local events and also had an opportunity of singing on radio during an interview on Radio Khwezi. The Mbekamuzi Secondary School Grade 8 pupil loves literature, telling stories and motivating others through poetry.

Nonhlevu Secondary School pupil Nothando Ndlovu won the Road Accident Fund’s safety school competition in May. She was tasked with identifying and addressing road safety concerns in her area in an essay, demonstrating her ability to come up with creative solutions to road safety challenges. She brought home a cash prize that will go towards fixing infrastructure at her school.