Tshwane University of Technology Vice Chancellor hosted a breakfast for the star Olympian Bayanda Walaza on the 27th of February. He is a South African sprinter and Olympic silver medalist, and has enrolled for a qualification in Supply Chain Management at TUT.
The purpose of the breakfast gathering was to formally welcome Walaza to the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) community and express the institution’s sincere appreciation for his decision to pursue his academic endeavors at TUT.
Hailing from Katlehong, Gauteng, Walaza has achieved phenomenal success in the track and field arena. His athletic prowess began to shine during his high school years, marked by notable performances in national and international championships.
In 2024, Walaza made history as the youngest South African to win an Olympic medal while still in high school, securing silver with the South African 4x100m relay team at the Paris Olympics. Later that year, he delivered a stellar performance at the World Athletics U20 Championships in Lima, Peru, claiming gold in both the 100m and 200m events. Walaza’s remarkable achievements have cemented his position as a rising star in the world of athletics.
Despite his remarkable success on the track field, Walaza recognizes that his preparation for the future of work would be incomplete without a solid academic foundation. To address this, he has sought out an academic qualification from the Tshwane University of Technology, an institution renowned for its commitment to empowering individuals through education, as reflected in its logo “We Empower People”.
The Director of Sport and Recreation Dr Hajira Mashigo emphasized that it is an honour that Bayanda chose Tut as his institution and that really they are the home of champions. Not only are they doing well in athletics but in the whole department of Sport in general.
“I chose TUT, because I believe it’s the place to be, as it says on the logo home of champions for everyone. I feel fully supported when I’m here, it feels at home, even when I chose TUT I chose it with a clear heart without thinking of anything else” said Walaza.
The home of Champions TUT is looking forward to having a fruitful journey with this young man.
