Behind every podium finish and global headline is a story that rarely gets captured by stadium lights. For South African Olympic sprinting sensation Bayanda Walaza, his meteoric rise is anchored by the relentless sacrifice, faith, and maternal love of his mother, Tholiwe Walaza.
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From Sterkspruit to the sidelines: A legacy rooted in sacrifice
Born in a small Eastern Cape town called Sterkspruit, Tholiwe is the second-born of three siblings. Though she once harboured dreams of wearing a nurse’s uniform, an ambition cut short by systemic hurdles, she redirected her passion toward personal development. She completed a business management qualification at Boston College in Johannesburg before taking up work in a local supermarket.
When life took unexpected turns and left her navigating single motherhood, Tholiwe made a deliberate choice: her life’s main project would be supporting her son.
“I don’t regret that decision because I wanted to give him all the love, all the attention, and all the support that he needed to nurture his talent. It’s only now that I can see that my sacrifice worked.”
Walking through grief together
Building a champion in underserved environments requires emotional resilience long before physical training begins. When hardship and personal pain struck their home, Tholiwe ensured her son never had to carry the weight alone.
- Shared healing: Rather than isolating through tough times, they prayed, cried, and attended professional counselling sessions together.
- Grounded in faith: Anchored by her personal faith in God, her immediate family, and her church community, she maintained a stable domestic environment despite economic pressures.
- Core values first: Long before track records were on the horizon, she instilled non-negotiable principles: respect, putting God first, staying humble, and prioritising education above all else.
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Financial realities and community support
Nurturing elite athletic potential comes with real financial burdens, from specialised kit to travel expenses. As a working mother, Tholiwe frequently had to stretch limited supermarket wages, sometimes borrowing money to ensure her son never missed an essential opportunity.
The turning point came when institutional support met maternal dedication. Through sports and academic initiatives, such as the Ruta Sechaba Foundation, Bayanda received crucial support for his education and athletics equipment.
“To all mothers: your support is everything; don’t give up. Your child’s success is also your success and everyone’s. In your financial constraints, there are foundations that help when they see potential… If they were able to help my son, they can also help other children.”
Unfulfilled dreams, greater purpose
While Tholiwe’s personal ambition to become a nurse was never realised, seeing her son progress onto world stages represents a different, deeply satisfying fulfilment.
Her journey stands as a powerful testament to mothers across South Africa who quietly anchor the nation’s rising stars. It proves that champions are not merely born on the track; they are built at home through quiet sacrifices, unwavering values, and a mother’s refusal to let financial limitations define her child’s destiny.
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