Albertsdal mother reflects on raising Olympic star Bayanda Walaza

The world knows Bayanda Walaza as an Olympic silver medallist, World Athletics U20 100m and 200m champion and one of South Africa’s brightest sprinting stars. But behind every medal is a mother whose quiet sacrifices helped shape the athlete and the man he is today,reportsAlberton Record. Now living in Albertsdal, Alberton, Tholiwe Walaza (47) has spent years cheering from the sidelines, offering guidance during difficult moments and ensuring her son never lost sight of what mattered most: faith, education and discipline.

Born and raised in the village of Walaza in Sterkspruit, Eastern Cape – named after her great-grandfather, a respected former king in the area – Tholiwe dreamed of becoming a nurse. I loved her work.” After matriculating, however, financial hardship forced her to put those dreams aside because her parents could not afford tertiary education. Years later, another life-changing challenge awaited.

Bayanda was only 10 years old when his father died in a horrific incident, leaving Tholiwe to raise him alone. “It wasn’t easy, but I had family within my home and outside. I also built my own family at church.” She explains that becoming a single mother meant making difficult sacrifices.

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“I had to sacrifice my dreams of getting married and having more children. I didn’t want him to be raised by a stepfather because I didn’t know how he would feel.” Despite Bayanda’s growing athletics career, Tholiwe made it clear there were boundaries that would never be negotiated. “He knows he needs to go to school and we are going to church on Sunday whether he has training or not.”

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