There are probably going to be gadgets, sneakers and clothes in his shopping cart, but the most important item on the list for teenage South African 4x100m Olympic silver medallist Bayanda Walaza is buying a house for his mother Tholiwe.
Members of the relay team are guaranteed a payout of R75,000 each for their silver medal exploits, but Walaza’s earnings may rise substantially with a mooted bonus from the department of sport and potential personal sponsorships surely in the pipeline.
There is also the possibility of a congratulatory financial bonus from the department of education because the 18-year-old is still a pupil at Curro Hazeldean in Pretoria where he received a huge welcome on his return to the school on Thursday.
“I want to buy my mom a huge house to thank and appreciate her for everything she has done for me. With the rest I will get a car and invest in businesses,” said the 18 year-old sprinter.
Walaza thanked his mother for not giving up on him when he struggled to cope after the death of his father.
Bayanda Walaza says he wants to build his mother, Tholiwe, a house as he returns to school. pic.twitter.com/Xwd8padJic
— Mahlatse Mphahlele (@BraMahlatse) August 15, 2024
“I really appreciate her and I want to thank her for being strong because I know I was a troubled kid. There was a point where I lost it after my father passed away — it took me years to come to my senses.
“I was no longer myself but she was strong enough and she was always on my side encouraging me and making sure I went to school in the right state of mind and I saw psychologists. I really needed her at that time in my life.”
Tholiwe, glowing with pride as she spoke at her son's arrival at OR Tambo International Airport on Wednesday, said she did not expect her son to hit the high levels so early in his life.
“I am happy for him for his achievements because he has worked hard for this and he has made me a proud mother. I didn’t expect something this big to happen so early in his career — I was expecting something when he is at university.
Walaza wished his father could have been alive to see his achievements. “I wish my father was here but I know he is looking down on me and he is proud.”
Tholiwe talk about the difficulties she experienced as a single parent.
“We had to make a lot of sacrifices as a family to support his dream — sometimes we would struggle to get him spikes because they are expensive and I am a single parent. I sacrificed a lot with my salary, sometimes I was not able to buy myself clothes or enough food.
“The good thing about him is he is a child who understood the situation at home where he couldn't always get everything he wanted. All the sacrifices have paid off and I don’t regret anything.
'I am proud of him,"- Bayanda Walaza's mother Tholiwe. pic.twitter.com/nLbH3y6H2j
— Mahlatse Mphahlele (@BraMahlatse) August 15, 2024
“He has shown bravery and sometimes I pinch myself that I am really his mother. I am happy I raised a star and I am thanking myself because I did a great job as a single mother. It was not easy but I am seeing the results now.”
Recalling that August 9 night in Paris where Walaza, Akani Simbine, Bradley Nkoana and Shaun Maswanganyi claimed silver behind Canada and ahead of Great Britain in the 4x100m final, Tholiwe said she could not believe what unfolded before her eyes.
“When the gun went, I was running up and down in the house — sometimes I couldn’t watch because it was too much to take. He called me shortly after the race and he was very excited they finished second and would be getting a silver medal.
“He was a starter in the race and it is not easy because if you make a mistake it will affect the whole team. He was happy that he played his part very well and passed the baton well.
“The whole family, we were jumping up and down and some were crying with excitement that he surprised us.”
