Gymnasts from Wavecrest Primary Primary School in Tafelsig recently beat all the odds at the GymnastradaGym for All in Pretoria by winning the bronze medal. They represented Western Cape and their achievement was not unexpected.
“At the school we only have a handful of learners who make up the gymnastics team. Although they face many challenges they always give 101% and they are very committed. These little girls don’t really let anything get them down, not even the wind, rain and heat of Mitchell’s Plain,” says Callista Carolus, teacher at the school.
The gymnasts at the school started off with their first competition earlier this year and were selected to represent the province at the Gymnastrada.
“The school is very proud of their performance in Pretoria, most of them being first-year gymnasts.
“These gymnasts don’t really have a proper place to practise.
“They normally just pack out their worn and torn gym mats and practise outside and they don’t have a care in the world whether it’s icy cold or under the scorching sun,” Carolus says.
Through all of these shortcomings they still manage to deliver top results in all competitions they participate in and they make sure they don’t come home without the gold medals.
“To be able to win a medal against top-class competitors from all over South Africa, is something to applaud. Even without the necessary equipment or resources this does not stop then from living out their passion,” she says.
