Over 1,500 young athletes from 45 schools competed in the Curro Podium Grand Finale at Pilditch Stadium in Pretoria on February 13 and 14, where several records were set and new talents emerged. The event highlighted promising runners like Tiisetso Malungane, who achieved standout performances in middle-distance events. It serves as a key platform for school-level athletics, contributing to national rankings through Athletics South Africa.
The Curro Podium Grand Finale brought together 1,500 athletes aged six to 18 from 45 schools for track and field competitions at Pilditch Stadium in Pretoria on February 13 and 14. This national inter-school event follows regional meets, with top performers qualifying for the finale, which also allows accumulation of points for Athletics South Africa (ASA) rankings using World Athletics Scoring Tables and Athletics Performance Evaluation Tables. A 600-point threshold typically signals competitive performance at school level, according to Cindy van der Merwe, Portfolio Manager of Curro Sport.
She described the event as 'more than a competition,' noting it unlocks potential and builds a talent pipeline for South African athletics. 'The Curro Podium creates a platform for young athletes to perform at their best and compete against top talent from across the country,' van der Merwe added.
Sixteen-year-old Tiisetso Malungane from Curro Hazeldean dominated the boys' middle-distance events, winning the 1,500m in 3:45.35 to set a meeting record and personal best, then the 3,000m in 8:21.03, earning 2,000 ASA points. His mother, Catherine Malungane, an accomplished marathon runner, recalled his early passion: 'He grew up under me [where] everything was about running.' She trained through pregnancy and noticed his speed as a toddler chasing her on the track.
Coach Dillan van Rooyen called Malungane a 'generational talent,' emphasizing his rapid improvement and the challenge of moderating his training. Curro Hazeldean has a history of producing elite athletes, including Bayanda Walaza, who earned Olympic silver in the 4x100m relay in 2024 and ran 9.99 seconds in 2025, and Matodzi Ndou, who set an African U18 110m hurdles record of 12.98 seconds in 2024.
Other highlights included Mukona Manavhela from Curro Hazeldean winning the U19 boys' 100m in 10.20 seconds and 200m in 20.52 seconds for a meeting record and 952 ASA points. Jayden Fourie of Outeniqua High School took the U17 boys' 100m in 10.38 seconds, setting a record. Sarah Reed from Curro Hillcrest won the U17 girls' 100m and 200m, breaking 24 seconds in the latter for 965 ASA points and a record. Lara Stander from Paarl Girls’ High School set a 1,500m record of 4:22.65, following her recent 27th place in a U20 US cross-country race. Megan Nieman from Die Hoërskool Menlopark improved her national and continental U17 girls' 100m record to 13.02 seconds.
