A strong squad of 198 athletes across 13 different sporting codes has been selected to represent Team SA at the upcoming 11th Region 5 Youth Games to be held in Namibia from 4-13 July. The Games were initially supposed to be held in December 2024 but they were postponed till now. It includes visually impaired athletes and Special Olympics athletes.
These Games began as a project by the African Union Sport Council and involves 10 countries: Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Team SA has representation across athletics, visually impaired athletics, basketball, boxing, football, judo, karate, netball, Special Olympics (athletics), swimming, table tennis, tennis and volleyball.
The last Region 5 Games were staged in Lilongwe, Malawi in 2022, where Team SA topped the medals table, bringing home 113 in total, 60 of them gold.
The South African Sports Confederation, Olympic and Paralympic Committee (SASCOC) is responsible for delivering the squad to these multi-code Games, and the President of SASCOC, Mr Barry Hendricks, congratulated the 198 athletes (104 girls, 94 boys) who will be doing duty in Windhoek and Swakopmund.
Among the Team SA athletes who excelled at the Region 5 Games before going on to greater achievements include Olympic gold medallists Wayde van Niekerk and Caster Semenya.
“As they don the Protea symbol and Team SA logo for the first time, many of these talented athletes will embark on a journey that will take them to new heights, proudly representing South Africa on the global stage.
“The Region 5 Games serve as a pivotal springboard for young athletes, catapulting them towards greatness and international acclaim in the African, Commonwealth, Olympic, and Paralympic arenas. These dedicated individuals are the epitome of South Africa’s vibrant diversity, and their participation marks the beginning of a bright new chapter in their careers as young ambassadors for the country.
“I am thrilled to witness SASCOC delivering a team that embodies the nation’s rich tapestry, and I have every confidence that they will make their mark on the world.” Hendricks added.
The Region 5 Youth Games features athletes under the age of 20.
ATHLETICS
Girls: Lize van Zyl (100m), Isabella Gunter (200m), Davida Strong (400m), Chemene Mentz (800m), Megan Roome (1500m), Anoxolo Mcetywa (3000m), Michaela Spocta (high jump), Johanna Lamprecht (discus, shot put), Stephanie Hook (javelin), Karla Bouwer and Megan Maree (medley relay), Ashlynn Noman (long jump)
Boys: Jacobus van der Westhuyzen (100, 200m), Aneeq Salie (400m), Andrew van Wyk (800m), De Villiers Lamprecht (1500m), Michael Bekker (3000m), Taelyn Smith (high jump), Frederick Senekal (discus), Dewald Bezuidenhout (shot put), Hanro van den Berg (javelin), Luke Raffels (long jump), Francois Boshoff and Ebrique Bosch (medley relay)
Coaches/management: Suzan Molobye-Milanzi, Regoabetswe Malope, Matapelo Skosana, Josephus le Roux
VISUALLY IMPAIRED ATHLETICS
Girls: Mabitsela Malakalaka (T13 100m, 200m,, Wamashudu Masakona (T12 100m, 200m)
Boys: Skhona Masuku (T12 100m, 200m), Khutso Mohlamonyane (T13 100m, 200m)
Coaches/management: Lezanne Bruwer, Mark Lewis
BASKETBALL
Girls: Jodi Stemmet, Bokang Lefakane, Mamello Nalenyane, Lethuxolo Mphaki, Aphelele Zulu, Amile Qavane, Saskia Johnson, Bogolo Koikoi, Kananelo Moloi, Kayleigh Sardien, Neo Rametse, Tintswalo Siwele
Coaches/Management: Thesline Davids, Siphiwe Chitlango, Queen Ndlovu
Boys: Thabo Maratola, Rehaan Allie, Reza Creamer, Simuthandile Radebe, Mpilenhle Sithole, Litha Madinda, Bhekwa Khwela, Redirile Makgoro, Mnqobi Mhlongo, Lesedi Ntlhokwa, Alexander Papadimas, Mahluli Ilunga
Coaches/management: Sbusiso Williams, Tshepo Ntwagae, Mokhethi Khoantle
BOXING
Girls: Lisolwethu Tomsana (48kg), Nokwanda Mbatha (52kg), Mpilenhle Mokaye (54kg), Khayakazi Potso (57kg), Hlumela Nqiko (63kg)
Boys: Ayabonga Meko (57kg), Oyisa Wanga (63.5kg), Giodeon Brown (67kg), Mighty Sangoni (71kg), Worship Chauke (75kg)
Coaches/Management: Pieter Strydom, Selwyn Dibela, Nelisiwe Luthuli
FOOTBALL
Girls: Katleho Malebana, Zizipho Mhlahlo, Sethabile Kamwande, Shifaa Hoossen, Lindelwa Mabuza, Busisiwe Mokoena, Samkelo Gwamanda, Adrienne Schmidt, Naylene Morgan, Mbali Ndlovu, Kwezi Khoza, Thorisho Mphelo, Zoe October, Juddy Baloyi, Karabo Mahasha, Reese Egberink, Nonzuzo Buthelezi, Siphesihle Mvila, Sindiwiwe Bidli, Siyamthanda Macingwana
Coaches/Management: Ntombifuthi Khumalo, Rhoda Mulaudzi, Thokozile Mndaweni, Sanelisiwe Dladla
Boys: Lwandiso Radebe, Lehlonolo Mosia, Bokamoso Mokokosi, Khayalethu Mzimela, Royce Malatji, Hayden Booysen, Sive Pama, Lunje Noqobo, Ziyanda Mchunu, Kamohelo Mareletse, Tebogo Mlangeni, Lebohang Dhlamini, Steven Mendesm Selwyn Stevens, Emile Witbooi,
Simphiwe Mlomdo, Ompheemetse Sekgoto, Sivuziwe Lonzi, Neo Bohloko, Obama Mhlongo
Coaches/Management: Vela Khumalo, Thabo Mngomeni, Shu-Aib Walters, Mulalo Mafenya
JUDO
Girls: Liyema Tsotsa (-44kg), Tamsyn-Lee Stead (-48kg), Emma Kemp (-52kg), Catalina de Oliveira (-57kg)
Boys: Hlobanisa Bobi (-60kg), Sinqobile Shongwe (-66kg), Levin Gyulinyan (-73kg), Maxx Mackenzie (-81kg)
Coaches/Management: Allerdyce Fulton, Peggy Vena
KARATE
Girls: Haanin Nash, Kelsy Stevenson, Ilhaam Amod, Nyska Jagasur
Boys: Joshua Links, Bohlokwa Khitsane, Dewald Engelbrecht, Aleksandros Kosmas
Coaches/Management: Njabulo Khumalo, Meghan Smit
NETBALL
Girls: Kwezi Lubisi, Maria du Raan, Maria Louw, Kaime Matfield, Didintle Mocwiri, Lara Ehlers, Zahrah Noah, Kiara van Eeden, Kirsten McGregor, Christi-Mari Coetzee, Sinegugu Gamede, Ametisse Bandu, Elri Jacobs, Olwethu Bayiso, Onalenna Diphoko
Coaches/Management: Emily Mathosa, Sasha-Lee Petersen, Malesego Lithuge
SPECIAL OLYMPICS (ATHLETICS)
Girls: Nonhlanhla Mahlangu (100m, 200m), Sibahle Gazu, Reaobaka Segone, Esona Blaai, Xoliswa Mara (100m, 200m)
Boys: Theodore Barnes (100m, 200m), Tebogo Sebalo, Phegeleco Mathiba, Neo Buyambo and Inam Kama (100m, 200m)
Coaches/Management: Ancilla Smith, Phillip Mphahlele, Siyabonga Zwane, Kubashini Naicker
SWIMMING
Girls: Caitlyn Dubem Clio Smidt, Georgia Els, Grace George, Indiana de Villiers, Jessica Carmody, Mya Mgcina, Morgan Cope,
Boys: Christian Esterhuyzen, Guy Wessels, Joshua Esterhuyzen, Lance-Alexander Cromhout, Matthew Pretorius, Ramano Sefehle, Ruben Smit, Tumelo Mahan, Olivier Mukaz, Jayden Jean Williams
Coaches/Management: Qhakazile Nzama, Sibani Makhanya, Garth Tune, Tracey Hemphill
TABLE TENNIS
Girls: Rochica Sonday, Karen Pillay, Confidence Moati, Kritika Totaram
Boys: Ruan Scholtz, Cuten Lodewyk, Xhaiden Williams, Amaru Joseph
Coaches/Management: Musfiquh Kalam, Willice Munyisa
TENNIS
Girls: Jessica Schilz, Sophia Singh, Abigayel Vosloo, Milla Kotze
Boys: Siyabonga Jaca, Bogdan Mandic, Dehan van Deventer, Simphiwe Ngwenya
Coaches/Management: Teresa Schweitzer, Sabeloa Mathebula
VOLLEYBALL
Girls: Alexis Chater, Tshisamo Ditshego, Anika Frohlich, Naledi Ganyane, Waynique Julies, Lindokuhle Langa, Asibonge Mdlalose, Andiswa Mhlondo, Kgomotso Motphudi, Shriya Naidoo, Refilwe Ngwenya, Siphesinhle Nkosi
Coaches/Management: Themba Rabi, Patricia De Jaar, Krubayathi Jaram
Boys: Nkosikhona Dludlu, Shridhaan Lahidas, Vusi Mabida, Kiaren Moodley, Sphesihle Mtetwa, Tivon Muller Massis, Samkelo Mzamo, Kaelab James, Yashin naidoo, Jea-Vino Adler, Jayden Cupido, Bandile Ntshangase
Coaches/Management: Zainul Ally, Tshepo Moloto, Obakeng Molebalwa
