“The costs of the trip to KwaZulu Natal, from [Wednesday] 20 March to [Saturday] 23 March, amount to R10 000. It’s a school trip where the WP boys will most likely play with other teams from the region, aside from other teams travelling from the rest of the country.”
A proud mother sets out to highlight her fantastic sports fanatic of a son, 11th-Grader at Wynberg Boys High Seth Trantraal on his achievements in sports, affording him an opportunity to play in the school’s u-18 hockey team on a trip to KwaZulu-Natal.
However, his family is also requesting support for the privilege of seeing their 16-year-old excel on the other side of the country next month.
The deadline is tight, mother Liesel pointed out, and details of the costs of the trip were sent only in December last year. “The costs of the trip to KwaZulu Natal, from [Wednesday] 20 March to [Saturday] 23 March, amount to R10 000. It’s a school trip where the WP boys will most likely play with other teams from the region, aside from other teams travelling from the rest of the country.”
Trantraal characterises her son’s abilities on the sports field as exceptional, even from his days at Kirstenhof Primary School.
“Seth always gave his very best in everything he did. He broke school records, ran cross-country and made half-colours, did athletics, hockey, tennis and even cricket and rugby for a while. He was amazing, but had to choose, as even he couldn’t do it all. Seth would often walk to school by himself and practise his shots on his own for hours with so much commitment, which carried through into high school. “He did all the sports and excelled in it!”
Seth’s array of talents landed him a spot on the Western Province (WP) B team last year, when his family had to source thousands of rands to afford that opportunity to compete in Bloemfontein.
“We still need to pay for that before the end of February, to ensure he can take part in the WP trials soon, most likely the beginning of March.”
For the KwaZulu-Natal trip, Trantraal added, there would be no discount as it’s a school trip.
“We were very grateful to the head of hockey who managed to source some funds from a private hockey club where he has played since Grade 3 or 4 as captain, and is known to be a quick as lightning. Everyone loved him on the field, where he plays midfield as well as forward. He is fast and so skilled. I’m so proud as a mom to watch him.”
Seth currently plays first team hockey and firs team tennis at Wynberg Boys High. “We also anticipate a trip to Worcester for a weekend . . . and a tournament at Parel Vallei High School in Somerset West. These costs keep coming in in hockey season.”
Trantraal said she hadn’t organised many fundraisers over this past year. “I did a high tea for my daughter and a breakfast as there is just so much going on constantly, what with four kids excelling in their own interests. I work as a class assistant and my husband Brad, Seth’s dad, freelances in tourism, tours . . . and buys and sells all kinds of products. Brad has done this side hustle for many years now, even in ministry.”
They’ve worked for a church-based NGO, “but Brad and I have never been paid for it; it was voluntary. We did it because we loved the children and God called us to love and help people. We even staged musicals at schools encouraging kids to read and be safe in the holidays by means of singing, acting and dancing as the lead characters, Brad and I.”
For many years, she and her family lived by faith and was in ministry even before their union. “Brad established a church in Botswana and worked in Soweto with the poor. Our kids grew up in orphanages assisting poor children, feeding moms at Red Cross once a week, feeding people on the streets and at clinics and assisting cerebral-palsy patients at a home as well.”
Her hard working, dedicated Seth’s goal is to play hockey for South Africa, “to travel and even study abroad – there is no limit to what he could achieve with Christ at the centre of our family.”
To support Seth, Liesel can be contacted on 079 681 4243.
