Omphemetse Mojakwe (17), from the Emang Mmogo Comprehensive School, has been chosen as Express Northern Cape’s November winner for the SuperSport Let’s Play Sport Star of the Month.
Omphemetse, a local rhythmic gymnast is happiest and most confident when she is on the floor.
Her love for gymnastics was discovered by her parents when she was only five years old.
She was then enrolled at the Northern Cape Gymnastics Club, where she was involved in until 2010.
Omphemetse then joined the Rhythmia Gymnastics Club in Beaconsfield until 2013.
She is currently training with Floors Gymnastics Club, based at Pescodia.
Her favourite moves are freestyle dance and hoop dancing, in which she has been representing her province.
Throughout her 12 years as a gymnast in Galeshewe, Omphemetse is proof to many that one must follow one’s dreams, no matter your circumstances.
As proof of her hard work, she currently owns 11 trophies and more than 40 medals, ranging from gold to bronze, which she won in different tournaments and competitions.
- Amongst her achievements were: 2008: She won a bronze medal during an inter-club competition in Klerksdorp when representing her club, the Northern Cape Gymnastics Club.) 2013: She represented the Level 5 Gymnastics provincial group and won three gold and two bronze medals.) 2015: On her return from a two week injury break, Omphemetse’s team continued to have faith in her and send her to compete in the national championships, the South African Gym Games Championships in Cape Town, in September.
The event saw over 2 800 gymnasts and officials from nine provinces participating in various gymnastic disciplines such as artistic men and women, trampoline and tumbling, rhythmic, acrobatic, ropeskipping and gym for all.
The event was hosted by the South African Gymnastics Federation.
She emerged as a winner of two gold medals, for overall performance and another one for participation.
She recently represented the province after qualifying for the over 15-provincial team.
Says Omphemetse: “That was my favourite experience ever. We had fun and got the opportunity to observe the artistic sides of being a gymnast.
“My passion for rhythmic was truly revived and deepened. We also had the opportunity of watching performances by international and national gymnasts.”
According to her, it is a pity that she did not get the opportunity to get international exposure by being part of the provincial team that went to Finland in 2015.
All she knows is that it was due to a lack of funding.
“I know I could have returned with good news in terms of a trophy or medals.”
Omphemetse will be Express Northern Cape’s last Let’s Play Sport Star for 2016.
Express Northern Cape’s Let’s Play Sport Star of the year will be crowned at the end of November at a private function in Kimberley.
- More on the Let’s Play initiative:
SuperSport over time has evolved as the quintessential sports authority.
With such strong sporting influence within the South African market, SuperSport has been perfectly poised to harness this power and rally the public and corporates to truly make a difference in society.
SuperSport identified that there were huge issues severely inhibiting the development of children through skills learned by playing, physical education and sport – all of which are imperative to the holistic development of young people.
It was from this insight that Let’s Play was born in November 2005 with the aim of elevating awareness of our social situation and to introduce and encourage play, activity and sport in schools.
