What began as an interest in jogging during primary school eventually led Shemondre Southon and Faith Mocheki of Abraham Kriel Children’s Home Nylstroom to compete at a national athletics event.

Shemondre and Faith’s love of athletics began during their primary school years at Laerskool Nylstroom. When they moved on to Hoërskool Nylstroom, they joined the school’s athletics team, where regular training sessions and participation in competitions gave them the opportunity to develop their talents and skills further.

“An important part of our preparation was the weekly parkrun, which we took part in every Saturday morning. We challenged ourselves to beat our previous times, and whenever we succeeded, it gave our confidence a real boost,” says Faith.

Their interest later extended to cross-country running, where longer distances and tougher competition presented new challenges. Months of preparation, early mornings and consistent training eventually paid off when they earned the opportunity to compete at national level.

One of the highlights was their participation in an ASA athletics event at Curro Hazeldean in Pretoria. There, they competed alongside athletes from different provinces and gained valuable experience.

“It was a long and exhausting day, but also one filled with excitement and new experiences. Being able to compete there made us realise just how far we had come since our first races in primary school,” says Shemondre.

Shemondre and Faith also attribute their progress to the support of their coaches, teachers, house parents and friends, who have encouraged them every step of the way.

For these two girls, their achievements so far are just the beginning. Their story shows how perseverance, hard work and the courage to take on new challenges can open doors to opportunities that once seemed out of reach. With their sights already set on 2027, the girls are determined to keep running, push their limits and reach new heights.