A 19-year-old Grade 12 learner from the Eastern Cape is flying the South African flag high in Kenya.
Aviwe Hoboloshe from Cwehe village in Xhora, formerly known as Elliotdale, has left for the World Athletes Championships in Kenya where she will represent the country in the 800-meters race.
Hoboloshe, who was only 11 when her talent was discovered, says she’s determined to achieve her goals.
“I am so excited. It has always been my dream that as a child from Cwebe in Xhora and from the Eastern Cape that I can represent the whole nation in another country. I was disappointed last year because I was supposed to represent South Africa in Togo but that did not happen due to COVID-19. When I heard the news, I was so happy.”
Hoboloshe’s coach Zolile Makhwayiba is confident that the athlete will do wonders in Kenya.
“She qualified by two minutes seven seconds which was her PB in Paarl but now I’m expecting at least an improvement again whilst she’s competing there in Kenya. Two minutes – three seconds, two minutes – four seconds we are happy, and then a medal will be a bonus. The fact that she has achieved so much within a short space of time, it means a lot. I think by 2024, you will see her in France, competing in the Olympics.”
