By: Edith Mogapi
MAHIKENG MAIL - MAHIKENG: The 2025 Provincial School Sport Swimming Gala took place from 28 February - 1 March in Potchefstroom, JB Marks Local Municipality. More than 270 participants attended the swimming gala held at Potch dam.
The provincial championships featured top swimmers from different schools and clubs competing in a range of individual and relay events, including freestyle, breaststroke, backstroke and butterfly.
The event served as a crucial platform for swimmers aiming to qualify for the upcoming National Autumn School Sport Championships as part of Team North West - which might lead them to being selected to represent the country under Swimming South Africa (SSA) in the upcoming 2028 Los Angeles (LA) Olympics. Top performers at national level will be in line to represent Team South Africa.
Tyra Kasonkomona, an 18-year-old from Curro Klerksdorp, took up swimming at the age of five as a water safety sport, but later it grew into a passion for her and she started swimming competitively.
“I represented the North West province at the 2022 and 2023 National Championships,” said Kasonkomona. ”I hope to do it again this year.
“My hopes for the future is to go to the Commonwealth Games in 2026 and possibly the LA Olympics in 2028. My wish is for water safety sport to be taught in all South African schools so that other children can be as fortunate as I am to learn basic swimming skills.”
With live commentary, the atmosphere was vibrant with parents, coaches, technical officials and team-mates cheering and screaming for their favourites on the side-lines, with a dedicated area for spectators as well.
Potchefstroom Gimnasium scooped the “Best High School” trophy, with General Hendrick Schoeman from Hartebeespoort receiving “Best Primary School” and “Best North West School Overall”.
