Bayanda Walaza: We must back Akani Simbine in flying the SA flag

Simbine has been a model of consistency for more than a decade, regularly reaching finals at the World Championships and Olympic Games. 

Now Walaza, a member of the Tshwane University of Technology Running Club, says it is time for the next generation to follow Simbine’s lead and ensure South Africa is well represented in individual sprint events.

Coached by Thabo Matebedi, widely known in athletics circles as Coach T, Walaza also highlighted middle-distance star Prudence Sekgodiso as an example of athletes who are successfully flying the South African flag internationally.

“We have to back Akani, not only in the relay but also in the individual sprints,” said Walaza ahead of the World Relay Championships, scheduled for 2–3 May in Gaborone, Botswana. 

“He can’t be the only one showing the world what South Africa is capable of. He can’t be the only sprinter mentioned whenever people talk about South African sprinting.”

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Walaza, who turns 20 in February, missed the World Senior Championships in Tokyo after sustaining an injury a week before the event. 

However, he was part of the South African 4x100m relay team that claimed a silver medal at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Despite his own achievements, Walaza believes more must be done collectively to strengthen South Africa’s sprinting presence worldwide.

“What Akani is doing is a wake-up call to all of us,” he added. “He’s saying, ‘Look at what I’m doing for my country, but I need people to back me up.’ People always say Akani is there when it matters, but the real question is: where are the others, myself included?”

Walaza feels South African sprinting is on an upward trajectory and says it is now up to the athletes to deliver consistently on the international stage.

“South African sprinting is improving, and we have to support him,” he said. “Akani and Prudence are flying the flag, but we also need to be there to help the country grow and compete globally.”

Walaza, who ran several sub-10-second 100m races last year, is confident that the future of South African sprinting is bright—provided athletes step up and share the responsibility.