Andries Sesedi from the Zenzele informal settlement is the newest athletic sensation to come from Randfontein.
This learner from Thuto Lehakwe Secondary School, who runs for Boabab Athletics Club, took part in the Sochini Games in Italy recently, winning three medals – bronze in the 4 000m event, gold in the 1 500m event and silver in the 1 600m event.
The local OR Tambo Sochini Games is the brain child of the Gauteng Department of Sports, Art, Culture and Recreation. Communities across the province engage in a variety of sporting codes, and those who conquer the Provincial Games are then selected to possibly take part internationally. Andries is one of those.
Andries said, “At first I was excited and nervous at the same time to be flying for the first time, but it was a good experience. We first stopped in Dubai before reaching our destination in Italy. There we competed against athletes from France, Italy, Kenya and China.”
He added that he believes this was a big step for him and he now has even bigger ambitions – to take part in the Olympic Games, the World Championships and the Commonwealth Games in the near future.
Andries lives with his mother and is part of a family of four. He has the drive and passion to reach his goals and make a better life for himself as well as his family.
“I would first of all like to thank God for my talent, and secondly, I want to thank my coach, Ofentse Ntibane, for his guidance and support.”
Andries has also been a consistent achiever at recent Central Gauteng Athletics Cross Country league events and went out of his way to finish second in a 6km event for U/16s held at the Kagiso Sports Complex. The SA Cross Country Championships in Port Elizabeth now lie ahead of him.
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