'I know what I'm capable of' - Jeppe sprint sensation Manavhela joins Curro Hazeldean

As they continue on their quest to give opportunity to the next generation of Olympians, while positioning Curro Hazeldean as one of the top athletics schools in the country, the Curro School Group has lured one of South Africa's most promising high school sprinting talents to their stable. As millions of children attended their first day of school yesterday (15 January), the Jeppe Boys pair of Mukona Manavhela and Kgoputso Manaleng entered the went to their new schools for the first time as they swapped Johannesburg for Tshwane.

Manavhela who is affectionately known as 'Smiley' is the reigning SA U18 Boys 200m champion. Joining a school that boasts such world class junior sprinters such as Matodzi Ndou, Zathu Hlongwane, Adam Motloung and Lesibe Dikgale could be daunting for many. Not Manavhela though. He is relishing the opportunity to be part of the training group that is led by Walaza’s coach Thabo Matebedi.

Manavhela and Motloung go head to head in the race that produced the SA Boys U16 200m record of 20.82. Photo credit: Cecilia van Bers.

"It's going to motivate me," he told #TheTopRunner. "I know what I'm capable of. I'm not going to entertain what other people think about me just because I’m going to Curro now. No I'm not scared. I’m going there to get the job done, just as I've always been doing. I'll keep working hard as always and go out there and praise the Lord and do what I have to do. I'm very happy to go to Curro and go and train with these gents to see their perspective on track and field," said the 16-year-old who enters Grade 11 this year.

But what Manavhela is most looking forward to is training with his former opponent Motloung. The two delivered a memorable clash at the North West University Top 30 Meet in Potchefstroom at the Ken McArthur Stadium last October where Motloung flew out of the blocks forcing the Jeppe athlete who was coached by Elize Smit to chase him. That precisely what Manavhela did, but he had to work so hard to win the race that he set a new SA U16 200m record of 20.82. Motloung took the runner’s-up spot in that thrilling race in a personal best 20.92.

Manavhela (left) has left Jeppe Boys High School for Curro Hazeldean, while Manaleng (right) has enrolled at TuksSport High School. Photo Credit: Jeppe Boys High School.

"I'm very happy to have somebody who's gonna push me in training. Someone that I can bond with, who's gonna help me - someone I can learn a lot from instead of just knowing him as my opponent. I like it because all my life I’ve been training alone. I didn’t really have a training group.I love the pressure. It kicks up my adrenalin. I love being put into tight corners. I love being put into situations where have to go and show that I’m the best. I really love that because that’s where I come out and shine. So I’m just going to continue doing that at Curro."