Bayanda Walaza: Akani Simbine showed up for the country

At the age of 18, Walaza was the youngest member of the 4x100m relay team that won the silver medal in Paris last Friday, anchored by Simbine.

The 30-year-old has been the face of SA sprints for close to a decade and played his anchoring role with aplomb to win this silver medal.

Walaza says they appreciate him a lot.

"And also, AK, I look up to AK a lot like that guy is something else I don't wanna lie. That guy inspired me, I don't know what to say. For him to stand up for the country like that even if he didn't get the medal but he was happy about it because he showed up for the country,” Walaza said.

“So, other people like talking, like he didn't bring back the medal again and that's not good because that guy showed up for the country not only once. Since he's been on the game and he was fighting for the country.

“When he's standing there, he's not standing for Akani but he's standing for every one of you here. So, that guy pushes us a lot and we really appreciate him a lot."

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Walaza received a heroes’ welcome at the OR Tambo International Airport on Tuesday morning accompanied by his fellow silver medalist in the relay team, Bradley Nkoana.

The 18-year-old, who is a matriculant at Curro Hazeldeal High School and had more than 300 of his schoolmates at the airport to welcome him, says he’s also inspired by the reigning and record four times world rugby champions Springboks.

"For me, I will say the motivation that pushed me, I will start from the Springboks, the rugby people like those guys they are putting us there on top. They're carrying the whole nation, those people are tops,” he added.

“Also, that pushes us to say, let's not put rugby top only, let's try as athletes to build that confidence just like the rugby players and be the same as them. So, that the country can be much more stronger."