President Cyril Ramaphosa has congratulated now dubbed South Africa’s golden girl, Tatjana Schoenmaker, on winning Team SA’s first Olympic gold medal and breaking a world record in Tokyo, Japan.
Schoenmaker clocked 2:18.95, breaking a world record that had lasted eight years and delivering the first gold for South African women in the pool in a quarter century.
“Congratulations. You have lifted the country..we are in a good mood and want to congratulate you for an unbelievable effort,” he says in a clip the Presidency posted on Twitter.
Ramaphosa says when he saw the 24-year-old’s first race, where she bagged a silver medal, he knew she was keeping something in store.
The president also congratulated and thanked Schoenmaker’s coach, Rocco Meiring, for preparing her to get to the level she’s now at.
President Ramaphosa has expressed hope that South African athletes will bring more medals home.
The Pretoria University student has thanked the president, saying it was an honour speaking to him.
Schoenmaker says she is looking forward to returning home.
[AUDIO]: President @CyrilRamaphosa speaks to Tatjana Schoenmaker to congratulate her on winning #TeamSouthAfrica‘s first Olympic Gold Medal in Tokyo, Japan. Friday, 30 July 2021, 16h15 #Olympics #TeamSA #RSA #Tokyo2020 #StrongerTogether pic.twitter.com/zCmKR8Z2l8
— Presidency | South Africa ?? (@PresidencyZA) July 31, 2021
Purposefully haven’t been posting much on social (and ‘cause I’m too busy doing everybody else’s comms here in @Tokyo2020! ?) but thought I’d take a break and honour my little spiritual sister- it’s still sinking in but WOW, GOD ? is all I can say! Proud! @TRSchoenmaker ??? pic.twitter.com/mcDudmwMMe
— Bronwyn Roets © (@bronwynr1) July 31, 2021
Thank you for Minister ??? https://t.co/3BDVS18G2H
— Team South Africa (@TeamSA2020) July 30, 2021
