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Top 10 Track and Field Stars Born and Bred in Gauteng

Gauteng has long been the beating heart of South African athletics. It produces an impressive line-up of track and field stars who have shone brightly on the international stage. From sprinters and jumpers to race walkers and multi-event specialists, these athletes have not only set records and won medals at the Olympics and World Championships. They also inspired the next generation back home.

Here’s a look at ten of the most outstanding track and field athletes born and bred in Gauteng. Also, see how they’re making their mark both on and off the track.

Akani Simbine

Kempton Park-born Akani Simbine is South Africa’s sprint king, famous for anchoring the 4×100m relay to Olympic silver in Paris 2024. He also placed fifth in the 100m at Rio 2016. He twice held the African 100m record (9.84s in 2021) and won 100m gold at the 2018 Commonwealth Games. Beyond the track, Simbine – who lost his parents young and was raised by his grandmother – has become a role model in Gauteng. He and his wife even auctioned race spikes to raise funds for youth projects. As an icon of Gauteng athletics, he often visits schools and clinics to inspire young runners in local communities.

Bayanda Walaza

From Katlehong township in Johannesburg, 18-year-old Bayanda Walaza burst onto the scene by winning a 4×100m relay silver at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Walaza did this while still a high school student. He then stunned the world by claiming both the 100m and 200m titles at the 2024 World U20 Championships in Peru. He teenage sensation became the first South African to double at that meet. Even with overseas scholarship offers, Walaza chose to study locally (pursuing supply-chain management at Tshwane University of Technology). He wanted to stay connected with his community. Known for his humility, he balances studies and training. He demonstrates to young Gauteng athletes that academic success and international athletics can go hand in hand.

Shaun Maswanganyi

Born and raised in Soweto, sprinter Phatutshedzo “Shaun” Maswanganyi has been a thrilling new face of Gauteng athletics. Maswanganyi ran a personal best of 9.91s for 100m at the 2023 NCAA Championships. He won silver in the 4×100m relay for South Africa at Paris 2024. He also earned sprint medals at the 2021 World University Games and competed at Tokyo 2020. Currently training in Texas, Maswanganyi still sports “green and gold” pride on the international stage. He frequently credits his Soweto roots for his drive. His success has energized local track clubs, inspiring township children that they, too, can reach the Olympics.

Anaso Jobodwana

Although born in the Eastern Cape, Anaso Jobodwana grew up in Gauteng. He became one of its most famous sprinters. He made history at London 2012 by reaching the 200m final (setting a PB of 20.27s). In 2015, he won bronze in the 200m at the World Championships in Beijing with a South African record of 19.87 s. Raised in Pretoria, Jobodwana often returns to his old club and high school, mentoring young sprinters. His journey from Gauteng schools to world-class track underscores the impact of strong local coaching. He remains a popular figure encouraging youth in his community to chase big dreams.

René Kalmer

Long-distance runner René Kalmer was born in Roodepoort and has represented South Africa at two Olympic Games. She ran the 1500m in Beijing 2008 and the marathon at London 2012. In 2010, Kalmer set a South African indoor record of 9:01.41 in the 3000m. She also won the Soweto Marathon on debut (2009) and earned multiple national titles, crediting her Gauteng upbringing for her stamina. Kalmer frequently speaks about the support she had from her local coaches in Johannesburg. After retirement, she has coached younger distance runners in Gauteng clubs. She gives back to the community that nurtured her endurance talents.

Khotso Mokoena

Long jumper Khotso Mokoena hails from Heidelberg (Emfuleni, Gauteng) and became an Olympic medallist. He first made waves in the triple jump (gold at the 2004 World Junior Championships) before switching to long jump. In 2008, he won the world indoor long jump title and earned Olympic silver in Beijing. Mokoena also collected world championship medals in 2009 and a Commonwealth Games gold in 2014. In retirement, he has spoken at Gauteng sports events and often cites his early gymnastics background in Vereeniging as key to his athleticism. His career has inspired many youngsters in Gauteng’s mining towns to try multi-events. He regularly visits clubs to share his story.

Brian Raats

High jumper Brian Raats represents the new generation rising in Gauteng. Born in 2004, he became African high jump champion in 2024 and won the South African national title the same year. At the Paris Olympics 2024, he reached the final and placed 12th overall. A student at the University of Pretoria, Raats quit rugby in Grade 9 to focus on athletics. He credits his mother – a breast cancer survivor – with inspiring his discipline. Now, he works with youth in Pretoria and shines a light on dedication and education. His local coaches note that he likes to talk to junior athletes about setting big goals.

Willem Coertzen

Decathlete Willem Coertzen was born in Nigel, Gauteng. He is the South African national record holder in the decathlon (8343 points) and won a silver medal at the 2008 African Championships. Coertzen also represented South Africa at the 2009 World Championships. After training in the UK and competing internationally, he often visits Gauteng combined-events clubs to mentor up-and-coming decathletes. A former rugby player turned track athlete, he embodies the multi-sport tradition of the Vaal Triangle. He encourages local schools to let talented youngsters pursue athletics.

Hestrie Cloete

Born in Germiston, Gauteng, Hestrie Cloete became one of South Africa’s greatest high jumpers. She won back-to-back World Championship golds (2001, 2003) and Olympic silver medals in 2000 and 2004. Cloete’s 2.06m jump at the 2003 World Championships still stands as the African record. Despite retiring young to focus on family, she has remained an influential figure in Gauteng athletics. She speaks at clinics and supports athletes through faith-based sports programmes. Her success story – from a railway town in Gauteng to global podiums – continues to inspire girls in Johannesburg to take up high jump.

Lebogang Shange

Race walker Lebogang Shange grew up in Pretoria (Gauteng) and made history in the 20km walk. He set the South African record of 1:19:18 at the 2017 World Championships in London, where he finished a remarkable fourth place. Shange had earlier won African Games gold (2015) and Commonwealth bronze (2018). Though less in the public eye now, his legacy lives on at Gauteng race-walking clubs, where youngsters remember his Olympic appearance (Rio 2016) and record run. He has given motivational talks in Pretoria schools, using his story to teach focus and persistence. He exemplifies a champion who put his Gauteng community on the global athletics map.

Each of these Gauteng-born and raised athletes has not only collected medals on the world stage but also become a symbol of hope in their home cities and townships. They highlight how South African track and field talent is nurtured by local clubs and communities. Those communities take pride when their own go on to compete in the Olympics and World Championships. Gauteng continues to be a powerhouse for South African athletics, producing champions whose stories inspire the next generation of athletes from Soweto to Sandton.