Zamuxolo Mash, a pupil at the Amasango Career School, will be representing the Eastern Cape in the South African Schools Cross Country Championships in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga this weekend.
Zamuxolo Mash, a pupil at the Amasango Career School, will be representing the Eastern Cape in the South African Schools Cross Country Championships in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga this weekend.
The 17-year-old pupil won the 6km race at the provincial level, which was held in Aliwal North recently, where he qualified for the national stage of the competition. In 2010 he did not place in the provincial stage in Mount Frere, but this year he managed to overcome this obstacle.
His teacher and trainer, Mzwamadoda Bay, attributed Zamuxolo's success to the hard work and dedication that he has shown. Bay also thanked Xolani Ngcikhwe, the sports officer from the Rhodes University's sports department. "Xolani has been taking our athletes, including Zamuxolo, through extensive training and that has helped a lot," he said.
Bay was very pleased that Zamuxolo was chosen to represent the province, especially coming from a school that deals with children with behavioural problems, he said. The proud teacher and trainer said that the school fully supports him, and they are holding thumbs for him. "He is putting Grahamstown on the map," Bay said.
School founder and principal, Jane Bradshaw said that she was very excited and happy for Zamuxolo. "It is times like these where kids start to realise where they are good at things outside the classroom," she said. "It's a good sign for Grahamstown and the whole district to see that Amasango is a real school that produces real champions."
Since Zamuxolo's success, Bradshaw noted that the school had about 17 boys and girls participating in fun runs. "That clearly shows that he has encouraged other children," she said. Zamuxolo said that his teachers and trainers have boosted his confidence, which has motivated him. The shy young athlete said that listening to his teachers and trainers has helped him to achieve his success in running.
