'Our Nedbank branch has officially opened in its new location today. Find them tucked away in the corner, on the far end of the centre, near the Crazy Store. Expect the same great service in a safe and secure area, manned by security guards, with plenty of convenient parking!
Over the next couple of months, this area will be transformed into our “Banking Quarter” where you will find Nedbank, as well as FNB and the ABSA ATM.' update from The Quarry Centre.
MiTH 26 April 2023
It's Tuesday again, news day for Hilton... it's a long week too, which means you have more business days to support local. Hilton, uMngeni, KZN Midlands kind of local. Find fresh ideas about ways to do this, including scooping a new space for your business at Hilton Health on Monzali Drive; Read the newsletter online.
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"Our next Sunday Roast Lunch will take place on the 30th of April.
Contact Andrew to book your table on 0662548112
"it's a family affair"'
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While returning veteran Roland Schoeman (Top) put in an admirable performance in his comeback, it was Chad le Clos, Erin Gallagher and Lara van Niekerk who stole the show on the fourth night of swimming at the SA National Aquatic Championships in Gqeberha, which also featured numerous other standout performances on Saturday.
Following his victories in the 200m butterfly and 100m freestyle, Le Clos continued to impress in the 100m butterfly, powering to an Olympic qualifying time of 51.37 and outgunning young Matt Sates to the title. Second-placed Sates nevertheless achieved an A qualifying time for the World Championships in Fukuoka, Japan this July, finishing in a speedy 51.91.
“I’m really happy with the week. I was a little nervous… for some reason, Matt and I have these ding-dong battles in the final 10 metres and it’s always super-close but I’m delighted with the time and the result and now we try and win this race next year at the Olympic Games. Now I’m confident I can win,” said Le Clos afterwards.
“Tonight I was finessed, I was controlled, hit my strokes, hit the turn well and I thought he was coming so I just put my head down so I’m over the moon. But now we push on to the Olympics – they’ve got a lot of trouble coming their way. That’s what I can promise you.”
Gallagher (Right below) was elated to dip below the 58-second m
ark in the 100m butterfly for the first time since 2019. The 24-year-old stopped the clock on 57.84 seconds to secure qualification for both the World Championships and Olympic Games.
“It’s amazing to know that I’m on track. It’s quite emotional – I’m surprised I’m not crying right now,” said Gallagher. As for achieving the Olympic qualifying time, she added: “It was something that I was trying to go for. My coach said it was time to now swim a qualifying time so just to know that I’ve done it is such a weight lifted off my shoulders and I’m so, so grateful.”
Teen breaststroke sensation Van Niekerk had earlier swum the fastest time in the world this year in the 50m breaststroke heats (29.83) and went even quicker in the evening final, taking the title in 29.78 ahead of Tatajana Schoenmaker, who also achieved the A qualifying time in 30.71.
“I really like swimming the 50m breaststroke in this pool. I can always hear the crowd going wild. I think they love watching me swim the 50m breaststroke and I think it’s just confidence knowing that I broke the African record here so every time I get here and swim the 50m I’m like – this is my pool,” said Van Niekerk, who said finishing second behind Schoenmaker in the 100m breaststroke earlier in the week had spurred her on to a speedy time.
“It wasn’t an issue but I think it made me want to swim this time even more to show that I am still a very good swimmer even though I came second,” she said. “But I’m really happy for Tatjana coming first and I think once I’m rested I’ll do much better in the 100 again.”
Michael Houlie ensured he was not to be outdone in the men’s 50m breaststroke, recording A qualifying times in both the heats (27.29) and final (27.31).
“It’s good. So far this season it’s had a lot of ups and a lot of downs and this is definitely more on the up for me. I’m so grateful and blessed to have this opportunity to race here. But I just want to swim it again because I think I’ve got so much more left in me and I can’t wait to get back to work and see how fast I can go in the future,” he said.
There was a surprise A-qualification time for Duné Coetzee (Below) in the 800m freestyle. The US-based swimmer powered to victory in a time of 8:33.46.
“It’s a very big surprise. I think this is the second time I’ve properly raced the 800 so I’m super surprised and so happy,” she said. “I’m learning to fall in love with the distance races.
Earlier in the evening, it wasn’t quite the dream comeback Roland Schoeman (Below) had envisaged, beaten to the 50m freestyle title by a man 24 years his junior, but the 42-year-old nevertheless defied his years to finish second in 22.89 to Pieter Coetzé’s 22.30 (Below). Like he’d done in the morning, Schoeman’s time saw him setting a new masters world record for swimmers aged 40-44.
“It was a lot of fun and definitely some nerves before, just seeing him there so it was such an honour and I really had a lot of fun,” said Coetzé. “The time wasn’t great but it was just about trying to get the win tonight so I’m very happy,” added the teen star.
Speaking about being back at the national championships, Schoeman added: “It is special. The time is not quite where I want it to be but having been off for so long it was hard to know where I was going to be. It was faster than this morning, but I don’t think I was as smooth and relaxed as this morning. I think the more I race, the better it’s going to be.”
Meanwhile, Minke Janse van Rensburg was once again in record-breaking form, leading the way for the swimmers with a disability. The 18-year-old powered to another world record for swimmers with Down syndrome in the 100m freestyle, bettering her own mark with a time of 1:17.61.
Kat Swanepoel swam almost a full 10 seconds under the A qualifying time for the Para Swimming World Championships in Manchester in the heats of the S4 50m backstroke, finishing in an impressive time of 50.93 seconds. 19-year-old Amkele Qamarana also achieved another A qualifier – this time in the S15 100m freestyle in a time of 1:03.51.
One more day of competition remains, with the SA National Aquatic Championships coming to an end on Sunday, 16 April.
Supplied.
Tatjana Schoenmaker (Top) secured the national 200m breaststroke title in the second fastest time in the world this year at the SA National Aquatic Championships in Gqeberha on Friday.
The world record holder and Olympic champion in the event cruised to victory in a time of 2:22.44 with her training partner, Kaylene Corbett, second in 2:25.40 – both A qualifying times for the Swimming World Championships in Fukuoka, Japan in July.
Schoenmaker admitted afterwards that the vocal crowd at the Newton Park Swimming Pool had her thinking she might be closer to her world record of 2:18.95, but she was nonetheless thrilled with the result.
“I was obviously hoping for a much faster time,” she said afterwards. “I think with the crowd going so crazy you assume you’re on a really good time, not that I’m not incredibly grateful for a 2:22 though. I think the excitement just made me think it was a lot faster but we’ll get there. It’s step-by-step. I think in 2021 before the Olympics I also swam a 2:22 in the heats so we’ll get there.”
Corbett’s morning time of 2:24.93 in the heats was quicker than her final, but both times were under the A qualifying mark.
“Obviously it’s really nice to get the time done in the morning. It just takes the pressure off for whatever is to come after that,” she said.
Meanwhile, also thinking he was slightly faster than the clock showed on the night was Chad le Clos who fended off his teenage challengers in the 100m freestyle. Le Clos, who won Olympic silver in the 200m freestyle in Rio in 2016, has decided to focus his efforts on the shorter event, along with the butterfly. His win on Friday in 48.97 seconds was a big step up on a fifth place at last year’s championships in a sluggish 50.86, but the 31-year-old knows there’s still a long way to go – including achieving the A qualifying time for the World Championships in the event.
“I thought it was a bit faster to be honest but it’s ok, it’s good. I’m happy with the win.
“If I want to be competitive, I have to swim 47s so let’s see… but a lot of improvements still need to be made from my side. I’m nowhere near where I need to be long course but I believe by world champs I’ll be very close to a podium in whatever races we swim, and then obviously next year we try and shock the world again,” he added of the Paris Olympic Games.
After securing the 200m freestyle title on the opening night of action on Thursday, Aimee Canny also successfully defended her 100m freestyle title.
The 19-year-old finished in a time of 54.65, just missing out on the A qualification mark but nevertheless securing the title ahead of Rebecca Meder (54.88) and African record holder Erin Gallagher (55.09).
“I obviously would have liked to have gone a bit faster but where this race is in the gala – I’ve already had three tough days – I was happy with that time,” she said afterwards. “I went out quick. I was happy with the speed I went out in and I think I’ve just got to work on doing a bit better at the back end but it was a good race.”
Meder later went on to add to her haul, claiming the 400m individual medley title in a B qualifying time of 4:50.55, with Matt Sates doing the same in the men’s race in a time of 4:22.26. Matthew Randle also completed a breaststroke double of his own, adding the 200m title to his 100m win, in a B qualifying time of 2:14.40.
Once again, numerous swimmers with a disability also achieved A qualifying times for the 2023 Para Swimming World Championships in Manchester from 31 July to 6 August.
Christian Sadie dipped well under the required S7 50m butterfly qualifying time, finishing his heat in 29.94, while Amkele Qamarana did so in the S15 50m butterfly final in 30.98.
James Willers achieved the required A qualifying time in the S15 50m butterfly in 31.89. There were A qualifying times for visually impaired swimmers Alani Ferreira in the SB13 100m breaststroke (1:23.43) and Cornelle Leach in the SB12 100m breaststroke (1:31.52).
Swimming action continues at the Newton Park Swimming Pool in Gqeberha until Sunday, 16 April.
Supplied.
Danny de Wet played for two iconic South African 80’s bands: éVOID & Petit Cheval - he followed that as a venue owner and marketeer at major record companies (signing Prime Circle and promoting The Parlotones), whilst being an original member of Wonderboom… driving the group for their first thirteen years.
A drummer/drama, who also plays guitar and sings, Danny has now added ‘author’ to his arsenal (releasing ‘Sex, Drums & Rock ‘n Roll… in Africa’ - the 650-page definitive, printed account of the history of SA Rock) and he is excited to launch his book at The Knoll historic guest farm in Hilton/Pietermaritzburg on Thursday 27 April 2023 at 19h30.
Special guests will celebrate the occasion with Danny, who is ‘stoked’ (to use a KZN word) to once more share a stage with Roly Struckmeyer; a friend since the early years of Wonderboom - Roly toured with the band as a solo artist, after his stint with Arapaho.
The ongoing 'Danny’s Never Ending Acoustic/Storyteller Book Launch’ shows are based on an acoustic three-piece act, featuring two phenomenal young musicians in guitar wiz Damian Kruger and Julian Guillot, who’s euphonious vocal prowess belies his tender age.
Renditions of classic South African and worldwide hits (The Rolling Stones, REM, The Cure, Bob Dylan etc), which are pertinent to the stories and anecdotes in the script, are perfectly juxta-positioned against Danny’s captivating tales of glorious excess and his quirky original songs like “Hairy Armpits Will Never Change The World”, a song written for Therese Owen, the well-known and respected KZN music journalist.
In Maritzburg for the first time, Danny’s trio has been blowing audiences away throughout our beloved country.
They have performed all over Gauteng and travelled far and wide… appearing in unusual locations like the Magoebaskloof and then all the way from the Magaliesburg down to Hout Bay - the trio also went down a storm at the Splashy Fen Festival last year.
The addition of two of Maritzburg’s cultural forces (who keep live music and literature thriving in the City of Flowers) completes the performance line-up – balladeer and acoustic guitarist Charles Webster who anchors the vital MITH (Music In The Hills) movement and the publisher of the book, Ian MacFarlane (owner of Top Reads), who, as a part of the Petit Cheval touring entourage, first met Danny way back in the 80’s!
Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift won’t be in attendance because… erm… Danny has never ever met either of them!
Come and enjoy kick-ass acoustic tunes, brilliant stories and bad jokes!
DISCLAIMER: NO-ONE IS QUITE SURE HOW MANY SIDES THERE ARE TO DANNY’S BRAIN (especially fans who saw his OTT antics in Wonderboom) BUT ALL AGREE THAT HE IS A FANTASTIC STORYTELLER!
All the pre-event information available here.
Hoping everyone had a blessed Easter, especially our friends at Siyabonga - Helping Hands for Africa.
Orin Mangray and Rogan van den Berg have been recognised for their exceptional performance in the Mathematics International Benchmark Test conducted in October last year. The Mathematics International Benchmark Test is a globally recognised assessment that measures students' knowledge and understanding of mathematical concepts and benchmarks their ability against international standards. Orin and Rogan both received a Certificate of Distinction at the Headmaster's Assembly held on the 19th of April. This is a remarkable achievement and a testament to the hard work and dedication that Orin and Rogan have put into their academics.
We congratulate Orin Mangray and Rogan van den Berg on their outstanding achievement!
Pictured here: Grace College Pupils Orin Mangray and Rogan van den Berg received distinctions in the Mathematics International Benchmarking tests
Generally, there is a sense of satisfaction when a task or a job is completed. In one sense, Treverton College students finishing the Grand Traverse again this year is no different. Two female students (Karijn Kooy and Georgina Thompson), three male students (Alexander Giokos, Konstantino Giokos, and Daniel Jonck), our Headmaster (Kean Broom), and three other staff members (Derek Brown, Channelle Oosthuizen, and Shaun Robertson) completed the Traverse. As far as we know, these are the first two school girls to complete the 250km traverse of the Drakensberg as a part of a school team. In another, there is a profound sense of sadness. As a team, we have looked forward to it, planned for it, and trained our bodies toward it. On the trip, we were immersed in a world of big mountains, deep valleys, fresh crystal clear water, inclement weather, constant companionship, and the satisfaction of completing the day's walk before settling down into our tents for the night. Wide open spaces, physical effort, and the simplicity of living in this foreign environment have a magnetic effect on the hearts of those who choose to wander into them. When the experience is over, we want more. I speak for the whole team when I say that we all feel this way. The journey is more wonderful, more memorable, and more enthralling than simply completing the task or ticking the event off a bucket list. A piece of our affection remains embedded in that place, and it is in us.
Generally, the weather was good. There was a cold wind that prevailed from the interior of Lesotho for most of the trip. This helped to keep the escarpment edge clear of mist for the most part. We only had a mist problem on the day we submitted Giants Castle (Day 8) and yet, even here, the mist cleared as we reached the summit to reveal the most beautiful late afternoon views over the Midlands. We experienced an incredible storm that brought sleet and hail as we headed for Thabana Ntleyana. After the storm, the winds on the summit ridge were incredibly strong nearly knocking us off of our feet at times. While the experience left us cold and wet, it was exciting to experience such high winds and such an interesting mixture of sleet and hail. Unsurprisingly, we didn’t spend long on this summit and headed for cover from the wind soon afterward. A similar storm hit us during the night and the following day we walked to the Sani Pub on the frozen, hail-littered ground. Other than that, we had incredible views of the escarpment, the KwaZulu-Natal midlands, and the interior of Lesotho, a notable highlight for Georgina.
Each team member faced their own personal challenges, which were also a cause for concern to the group at various points. Daniel burnt his foot with hot water after knocking his coffee over while reaching for something in his tent. The second and third-degree burns on the top of his foot were an immediate threat to the progress of the group. However, the first aid kits supplied by Tecmed Pharma proved invaluable and Mr. Brown patched Daniel’s foot with a burn shield, gauze, and a bandage. Daniel was also able to work through the pain and constant friction of the shoe and sock on the wound. He earned the nickname “Dan the Man” for his strength and perseverance. He admits that he spent many long hours wondering if he could continue with his wound. Alexander battled with diarrhea for two nights, which left him feeling weak and uncertain. One of the enduring memories of the trip is Mr. Brown lighting a fire at the top of Leslie’s pass using a handful of dead twigs from a small ground-level protea bush at a tea break. The ash was then mixed with water to make a black carbon-rich ashen drink. The theory, according to Mr. Brown, is that the activated carbon binds with toxins in the gut and is an excellent antidiuretic. Whatever the theory, it worked and Alexander was soon fit and strong again. Karijn developed a respiratory tract infection and spent many hours coughing during the night. She never once complained or appeared to struggle. However, it caused me some concern as I lay awake wondering if she would be alright to continue. While these troubles may seem somewhat trivial in our modern world, small problems become big problems in the mountains very quickly if not dealt with. The students worked through their individual struggles bravely and finished well.
Ethan Lundy, a film graduate from Cape Town, came along to document the trip. Carrying hiking gear and food for a trip of two weeks is one challenge. Camera equipment is an added complication. A combination of a drone, DSLR camera, GoPro, and a tripod was used for the purpose. This was shared among the group so that no one person was overburdened by the weight. Getting used to the camera posed a challenge for some as people who love and enjoy the solitude of the mountains are not always the best in front of the camera. It took a while for all of us to warm up to the idea of having a camera in our faces from time to time. It was also a challenge for Ethan, who not only needed to walk with us but had the added job of filming along the way. He did his work well and we now look forward to the release of the documentary being put together by Barry Smit. The expected release date for this is the middle of May 2023.
On the whole, the group moved incredibly well. It was expected that the trip would take 15 days. However, we managed to complete the trip in 13 days thanks to putting in a few extra kilometers at the end of each day. The hardest day was probably the day from Bannerman’s pass to Giant’s Castle. It involved an ascent of both Mount Durnford and Giants Castle and our total ascent for the day was 1400m. Whilst this wasn’t the day with the most climbing, it just worked out to be a difficult walk and we only made camp after sunset. Konstantinou felt that this was a hard day, but still finished with a smile on his face.
On the whole, the trip was a great success. But this would not be the case if it wasn’t for the perseverance and determination of the students and staff on the trip and I am so pleased with the character that they displayed throughout. I am also so thankful to those who helped and supported us. The resupply teams who brought food up to us at the top of Organ Pipes Pass (Day 5) and at Sani Pass (Day 11) have my sincere gratitude. I am also grateful to the parents and our Headmaster for believing in this trip and allowing their children to participate in it. Various companies and individuals came on board and gave us various necessary items of clothing, first aid kits, and camera equipment and for that I am grateful (see the list below). I am also grateful to Derek Brown and Chanelle Oosthuizen for their work during their time off. Annie Hodes has given us excellent media exposure for which I am humbled and so thankful. Putting a trip like this together takes a team effort and I am grateful to so many people for their help in various ways.
My thanks go to the following companies and people:
1. Berkshire Meats
2. Performance Brands and First Ascent
3. SCS Worldwide Logistics
4. The Trail Food Company
5. Skull Candy
6. Tecmed Pharmaceuticals
7. Cold Storage Solutions
8. Halfway Toyota
9. Alexander Giokos at Van Buul International
Author credit: Shaun Robertson
Inspired by Autumn, Hilton based mosaic artist Sarah Pryke is madly busy creating stock for the upcoming Harcourts Hilton ART in the Country exhibition's second annual event at Harrington House on 25-28 May in 2023. Sarah is usually fully occupied with commissions and while she still is at the moment, she will (for the first time in a very long time) make some pieces available for sale.
'I’m a biologist who creates detailed and unique fine at mosaics inspired by nature.
My mosaic artworks are created exclusively from glass, often in different forms. I carefully hand-cut each piece of glass to the desired size and shape to create shading and specific patterns. I also hand sculpt and fuse (melt) layers of glass to create detailed shapes and elements, which help add interest and texture to the artworks.
Although glass is a rigid and often unforgiving medium to work with, I love the reflective nature of glass, which changes depending upon the lighting and the angle of viewing. This reflectivity brings an added dimension to the artworks, allowing them to continuously change, and helps bring the scenes and subjects to life.
My mosaic artworks have won numerous awards (recently (this month) shortlisted for the African Wildlife Artist of the Year), and found homes arund in the world in private homes, business and luxury game lodges.' shared Dr Sarah Pryke.
Follow Fragments of Africa to see more of Sarah's work;
F: https://www.facebook.com/fragmentsofafrica/
I: https://www.instagram.com/fragments_of_africa/
More about Harcourts Hilton ART in the Country
Family Dental Care: A baby’s first tooth is a milestone for baby and parents alike! After all, parents are all too aware of the fussiness and sleeplessness that come with the erupting tooth. It’s an exciting rite of passage, but it also adds a brand-new responsibility: going to the dentist!
1. Avoid teeth problems from the start with pediatric preventative care.
2. Make the dentist your child’s friend.
3. Empower your child to take responsibility for their dental care.
Call us on 082 218 9222 book an appointment today!
More from Hilton Family Dental Care
Teen swimming sensation Pieter Coetzé wrapped up the SA National Aquatic Championships in Gqeberha with another Olympic qualifying time on Sunday.
The 18-year-old, who has already recorded a qualifying time for Paris 2024 in the 100m backstroke, added the 200m backstroke time, cruising to victory in 1:56.66 – also an A qualifier for the World Championships in Fukuoka, Japan later this year.
Coetzé withdrew from the 50m butterfly final on Sunday to focus on the backstroke event and was duly rewarded with the fifth fastest time in the world this season in the 200m backstroke.
“I was feeling a little bit tired so I thought it might not go well tonight. So I’m actually a little bit shocked with that but very happy,” said Coetzé, who explained he’s still working on perfecting the 200m event.
“I would like to be out in 56 and still bring it back in the same time because the top guys in the world are going out fast. I’ve always been a bit of a backend swimmer so that’s something I have to work on. But this was a bit of a better split than what I usually do which is negative splitting so I can definitely see the improvement.
“I’m just very, very happy. I’ve qualified for Paris now in the 100 and 200 so I’m just over the moon.”
After the medal presentation, Coetzé gifted his gold medal to the thrilled Deputy Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Nocawe Mafu, who attended the last night of the championships in Gqeberha.
Also achieving an A-qualification time for the World Championships was Erin Gallagher. The 24-year-old added to her 100m butterfly victory by taking the 50m butterfly in a time of 26.31, ahead of Rebecca Meder (26.87) and 15-year-old Jessica Thompson (26.91).
“I think we always hope to go faster but it always comes down to the race and there was really good competition in that race so I was happy to come away with the win to be honest. There are some fast little 15-year-olds there so the tables have turned now, but I’m happy with the win and I know what I need to work on so I’m very happy overall,” said Gallagher.
There was also an A-qualifier in the 400m freestyle, Duné Coetzee claiming the title in 4:10.49.
“I tried to go fast from the beginning but my first 200 I wasn’t as in control as I wanted to be. I wanted to feel the water, which is something I can fix, but I came back really strong which I’m very happy about,” said Coetzee.
Earlier in the day Emma Chelius swam a time trial with the goal of achieving the A qualifying time she just missed on her way to the 50m freestyle title on Saturday night. And it was mission accomplished as the Olympic semifinalist reached the wall in a speedy 24.78.
“I just felt like I still had more to give and it’s always nice to make the most of a long block of training and then a taper because we don’t get that very often,” said Chelius. “And especially for a 50 I think all those small details have to come together so I really just wanted to have another crack at it. I’m very glad that it paid off and I feel very relieved and happy that it’s done. I think I was a lot more aggressive this morning. I knew I had nothing to lose.”
Veteran Roland Schoeman wrapped up his return to the championships with a first national title since 2015. The 42-year-old claimed the win in the 50m butterfly ahead of Clayton Jimmie and Ryan Coetzee, but his time of 23.83 fell short of the A-qualifying time for the World Championships. The top three in the race, did nevertheless achieve B qualifying times.
Meanwhile, Kat Swanepoel continued her sensational form in the events for swimmers with a disability. Despite breaking a finger during her warm-up, the Paralympic star broke the SA and African record in the SM4 150m individual medley, setting a new mark of 2:56.84. That also saw her dipping under the A-qualifying time for the Para Swimming World Championships in Manchester by a massive margin.
Other swimmers who achieved the required A-qualifying times were Christian Sadie in the SM7 200m individual medley (2:36.39), Alani Ferreira in the S13 400m freestyle (5:01.56) and Nathan Hendrik in the men’s S13 400m freestyle (4:28.79).
Swimmers who achieved A qualifying times for the World Swimming Championships in Fukuoka, Japan at the SA National Aquatic Championships:
Women:
Aimee Canny: 200m freestyle
Emma Chelius: 50m freestyle
Duné Coetzee: 400, 800m freestyle
Kaylene Corbett: 200m breaststroke
Erin Gallagher: 50, 100m butterfly
Rebecca Meder: 200m individual medley
Tatjana Schoenmaker: 50, 100, 200m breaststroke
Lara van Niekerk: 50, 100m breaststroke
Men:
Pieter Coetzé: 50, 100m, 200m backstroke
Michael Houlie: 50m breaststroke
Chad le Clos: 100, 200m butterfly
Matt Sates: 100m butterfly
Pictured here: Pieter Coetzé with Deputy Minister Mafu.
Supplied.
'For many years a couple from America have visited us at Piggly Wiggly. Each time they bought something to remind them of their holiday here. 
Rebecca Meder (Top image) and Olivia Nel ensured the record-breaking continued on the second night of action at the SA National Aquatic Championships in Gqeberha on Thursday.
Meder kicked things off in the 200m individual medley, bettering her own SA record set at last year’s Commonwealth Games to claim the title in a speedy 2:11.39. That ensured she dipped well under the A qualifying time for the Swimming World Championships in Fukuoka, Japan this July. It also saw her swimming under the even more stringent A qualification time for next year’s Paris Olympic Games.
“To be honest, it didn’t feel that fast – I thought I was going to miss it. I read a bible verse before… I was literally reciting that verse as I was swimming,” explained an elated Meder after the race.
“I knew I could go 2:12.9 but 2:11.3 was just wow! So I’m really proud of myself.
“I knew coming in I’m the strongest, fastest, fittest and leanest I’ve ever been so I knew with all of those statistics I should be the fastest I’ve ever been. This pool has brought me much heartache before, missing the qualifying times for the Olympics and Commonwealth Games… so I’m really stoked.”
Nel claimed her record in the women’s 50m backstroke. Fresh from her victory in the 100m backstroke on Wednesday, the 20-year-old took the sprint title in a new SA mark of 28.39, bettering Chanelle van Wyk’s 2009 time of 28.55.
“I knew the SA record was 28.5 so I was really just hoping for anything under that. I’m just so stoked with that,” said Nel after the race. “I love my backstroke races. I actually haven’t been training too much backstroke this season, so I think to come and do really well, I’m really happy about that. I’ve just been really excited to race these events.”
Pieter Coetzé, meanwhile, came within two hundredths of a second of one of the older SA men’s swimming records, in the 50m backstroke. He powered to victory in 24.36 seconds, placing him top in the world so far this year but just short of Gerhard Zandberg’s 2009 mark.
“I’m very happy with it. Hopefully I can get the record before the end of the year,” said the 18-year-old who broke his own SA and African 100m backstroke record on Wednesday.
“It definitely felt really good and smooth and it felt like I wasn’t going all over the place too much – I was pretty straight so it definitely felt good.”
Veteran Chad le Clos contested his first event of the championships, taking an impressive 13th national title in the 200m butterfly. He was pushed all the way by 19-year-old Ethan du Preez, who turned first for the final 50m, but in characteristic style, Le Clos powered past to win in 1:56.05 and claim a World Championship A qualifying time. Du Preez was second in a B qualifying time of 1:57.09.
“I thought I would be a bit faster to be fair, but I always get nervous for Nationals for some reason – it scares me every time I race here,” admitted Le Clos afterwards.
“I was just trying to go with Ethan and try and be as flowy as possible. Obviously I got tired in the last 10 metres but my head was down. I’m sad that he didn’t get the [A qualifying] time as well,” added Le Clos.
“I was confident I was going to qualify tonight but I just wanted to swim it my way and control the race, not let my emotions control me like I was in the past.”
Two swimmers with a disability also achieved qualifying times for the Para Swimming World Championships which take place in Manchester, England from 31 July – 6 August.
Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Christian Sadie swam 29.37 in the morning heats to qualify in the S7 50m freestyle. Kat Swanepoel did the same in the women’s S4 50m freestyle, finishing in a new continental record time of 42.97 seconds.
“I took two African records, in the 50m breaststroke and the 100m backstroke yesterday, and then today in the 50m freestyle,” she explained afterwards. “We’ve been working hard and my times have been looking good but you’ve always got a bit of a doubt because training doesn’t always compute to competition. But I’ve got the qualifying times for world champs and the Paralympics so it’s looking good for the future.”
Newly crowned SA Sportsperson of the Year with a disability Minke Janse van Rensburg provided another highlight of the night, speeding to a new open world record for swimmers with Down syndrome in the 50m freestyle, in a time of 34.17 seconds.
Swimming action continues at the Newton Park Swimming Pool in Gqeberha on Friday and ends on Sunday, 16 April.
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Carmen has always loved animals and has wanted to be a vet since she was very young. She graduated from Onderstepoort in 2016 and did a year's community service in the Eastern Cape during 2017 where she treated most species of animals but her true passion lies in treating dogs and cats.
Olympic star Tatjana Schoenmaker ensured she was not to be outdone again in the 100m breaststroke, regaining her national title on the opening night of the SA National Aquatic Championships in Gqeberha on Wednesday ahead of teen rival and Commonwealth Games champion Lara van Niekerk.
There was a massive sigh of relief for the Olympic silver medallist in the event as she claimed the title in a time of 1:05.89 – not that she had beaten her young opponent who claimed the title last year – but that she had once again dipped under the 1 minute 6 second mark.
Schoenmaker’s victory came in 1:05.89 to equal the second fastest time in the world this year with Van Niekerk second in 1:06.74.
“It was never about the title. If I came second or last – for me it was about those personal goals that I set for myself,” said a thrilled Schoenmaker afterwards. “It is challenging to come back from a 1:04.8 [at the Olympics in Tokyo] and then never breaking a 1:06 so it was really tough.
“I’ve seen it in training and my times have been looking great but it just didn’t link with my racing so I’m grateful to dip under that and see that my times in training are actually showing.”
Speaking about the great depth in South African women’s breaststroke, Schoenmaker added: “I think we have such an amazing breaststroke group… it’s always nice to have world-class swimmers with you in the race.
“We’re also all from NTS [Northern Gauteng] so there’s never a competition where you’re not stepping up against world-class swimmers. I think that’s challenging on the mental side because you’re not always feeling great but then it’s such a good challenge to push yourself every time you swim.”
Like they had done in the morning heats, both Van Niekerk and Schoenmaker comfortably achieved A qualifying times for the Swimming World Championships in Fukuoka, Japan in July while third-place Kaylene Corbett’s time of 1:08.57 was a B qualifier.
Meanwhile, another Pretoria star, Pieter Coetzé (Top), provided the highlight in the men’s programme, powering to a new national and continental record in the 100m backstroke.
The 18-year-old’s time of 52.78 beat the record 52.95 he swam in the semifinals on his way to silver at last year’s World Championships in Peru, and also placed him second fastest in the world this year.
“To be honest, I didn’t really have any expectations time-wise so I’m shocked and very happy with that because it’s still very early in the season,” said Coetzé.
“It’s a good start to the season and it’s getting me more riled up for the rest of the year.”
Coetzé had already dipped well under the World Championship mark in the morning heats and said heading into the final: “I was very relaxed and just excited and really looking forward to getting in the pool so that definitely helped.”
Earlier in the evening, Aimee Canny claimed another A qualifying time in the 200m freestyle after doing so in the morning heats. She swam to victory in a time of 1:57.82, in a race where the top four swimmers all dipped under two minutes.
Duné Coetzee was second in 1:59.05 and Erin Gallagher third in 1:59.50 (both B qualifying times).
“It felt really good this morning. I kind of took all the pressure off myself and I knew I had to do it again tonight. I knew I could do it – especially how easy it felt,” said Canny after her final. “I definitely went out harder tonight. I felt it at the end but I didn’t die as hard as I probably could have.”
Speaking about the difference that training at the University of Virginia in the USA has made, Canny added: “It’s crazy, training with the level of competition there is insane and I absolutely love it. It’s a great training environment and when I come back it gives me so much confidence to race.”
Several disabled swimmers also achieved qualifying times for the Para Swimming World Championships which take place in Manchester, England from 31 July – 6 August. Amkele Qamarana swam an A qualifier in the SB15 50m breaststroke, powering to a personal best time of 34.47 in the evening final. Kat Swanepoel achieved her A qualifier in the SB3 50m breaststroke with a time of 58.54 in the heats while Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Christian Sadie swam 1:14.24 to qualify in the S7 100m backstroke. Nathan Hendrick completed the haul of A qualifiers by swimming a time of 1:03.32 in the S13 100m backstroke.
SA National Aquatic Championship action continues in Gqeberha on Thursday and runs until Sunday, 16 April.
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