Two SA Single Moms Raise Track Stars Breaking Records

Two South African track stars breaking records around the world have something remarkable in common: single mothers who gave up everything to help them succeed.

Bayanda Walaza, 20, won double junior world championships in the 100m and 200m before helping South Africa claim Olympic silver in Paris. Tiisetso Malungane, just 16, has shattered multiple national age-group records and ran the fastest mile ever recorded by a teen on African soil.

Behind these achievements stand two extraordinary women who refused to let hardship define their sons' futures.

Tholiwe Walaza faced every parent's nightmare when her husband was shot dead in front of 10-year-old Bayanda. The supermarket worker immediately focused on keeping her son from seeking revenge.

"It was very important for me to be a present mom, to show him a parent's love to ease his pain," Tholiwe told Daily Maverick. She took Bayanda to counseling and poured herself into ensuring he could heal properly.

When she noticed his athletic talent at age nine, she made education non-negotiable. Bayanda had to balance his books with his love for running, soccer, and karate, or give up sports entirely.

He never looked back. In 2024, while completing his final year of high school, Bayanda claimed gold medals at the World U20 Championships and competed at the Paris Olympics.

Catherine Malungane's story began differently but demanded similar sacrifice. Tiisetso's father left soon after he was born, leaving Catherine to raise him alone while pursuing her own promising marathon career.

With no childcare options, three-year-old Tiisetso came to training sessions. Catherine watched him sprint across the field, crying to reach her, and recognized something special.

She made a heart-wrenching choice. At 44, she walked away from competing at the highest level to focus on motherhood and nurturing her son's gift.

"It was very difficult for me, because my sacrifice for Tiisetso was both with time and my personal ambitions," Catherine explained. "But I have no regret at all."

Her sacrifice is paying forward. Now an athletics coach at Curro Hazeldean, Catherine fosters several children beyond Tiisetso, coaching them and creating opportunities she once needed herself.

Why This Inspires

Both mothers credit the Ruta Sechaba Foundation, a Cape Town nonprofit that provides scholarships to talented young athletes from disadvantaged backgrounds. The organization gave their sons access to world-class training and education they couldn't have afforded alone.

These stories prove that single mothers don't just raise children—they can raise champions. Through counseling, tough love about education, and unwavering presence, Tholiwe and Catherine transformed personal tragedy into triumph.

Catherine believes Tiisetso can win a medal at the 2028 U20 World Championships. Watching him break records at 16, while Bayanda stands on Olympic podiums at 20, proves what's possible when mothers refuse to give up.

Their sons' speed on the track is matched only by the strength of the women who got them there.