Born in the small town of Keimoes in the Northern Cape, Mrs Groenewald list of achievements is impressive. With a degree in business administration and a masters degree in sports management, she has held the position of Director of Sport Administration at the University of the Western Cape, and currently holds the position of Chief Director of Sport at Stellenbosch University (the first woman to hold this position).

Mrs Groenewald was also the first woman to be chairperson of University Sports South Africa and is the current First Vice-President of University Sport South Africa. She has been head of delegation for SA teams at multisport events; served on committees of SASCOC; is chairperson of the Heads of Sport forum; a member of Varsity Sports, a board member and a trustee of Varsity Cup rugby.

Mrs Groenewald said: “I know SA Rugby has a very good story to tell and they are working hard to change the shape of the sport – as well as converting misplaced perceptions about it. I am excited to be joining them to offer experience and support in that process.

“I believe I have a very good understanding of sport at the grassroots level in our country and the challenges that are faced by our young athletes. I hope that type of background – as well as my experience in sports management – will offer some value to the Executive Council.”

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JOHANNESBURG – South African 400m world champion Wayde van Niekerk will be looking to get his international season off to a good start when he competes in the IAAF Diamond League meeting in Rome on Thursday.

“I’m definitely looking forward to it, I’m trying to build up some good momentum ahead of the African Championships. After that it will be the Olympics, so it’s all about momentum and staying healthy for Rio,” said Van Niekerk in a radio interview on Monday.

Van Niekerk made history earlier this year by becoming the first sprinter in history to run faster than 10 seconds for 100m, 20 seconds for 200m and 44 seconds for 400m. In 2015, Van Niekerk became the fourth-fastest man in history for 400m when he ran 43.48 second to win the world title in Beijing.

Following his performances last year, the 23-year-old will be a heavy favourite in every 400m race he enters including at the Olympics.

“I’m happy with where I am at the moment, and I’m feeling good for the season [ahead]. There’s so much more that I can do this year. I’ll just take it race by race.

“I’m going to give it my all, and trying to get some positive emotions going so I can get to the Olympics without any doubts and feeling confident.”

Van Niekerk, however, will have his work cut out once again this season as he lines up against 2012 Olympic champion Kirani James of Grenada and 2008 Olympic gold medalist LaShawn Merritt of the USA on several occasions in the next few months.

“The competition is going to be quite tough. It’s going to be a big challenge this year, that’s why it’s so important to stay focussed on performing well before the Olympics. It’s big competition in the 400, running against guys who inspired me.”

Africa News Agency

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T- Systems South Africa has revealed that it is sponsoring 400m World Champion, Wayde van Niekerk.

Wayde van Niekerk, a South African track and field sprinter, is renowned for his local and international achievements in the 100m, 200m, and 400m events.

The sponsorship will see T-Systems South Africa support van Niekerk to advance his athletics career and assist to launch the Wayde van Niekerk Foundation, an initiative founded by van Niekerk that will support young South Africans to leverage their talent and create a better life for themselves.

Gert Schoonbee, MD at T-Systems South Africa, says his company identifies with Van Niekerk and describes him as “a South African that studies, lives and trains in South Africa yet competes globally as well as locally and has achieved significant success in both areas.”

Says van Niekerk, “When T-Systems approached me, offering its support and suggested alignment of our brands, it made perfect sense. Like T-Systems, I work with a strong local team that enables me to compete on a global level and I am committed to representing South Africa just as T-Systems is committed to delivering solutions and services that are tailored to the local market.”

Adds Schoonbee, “Our brand is further aligned with van Niekerk and what he represents as he strives to win, sets new records and makes his mark in a field that is highly competitive. It takes hard work and discipline to be a champion athlete and requires much resilience. He also sets the bar for himself and this is exactly what T-Systems is doing. Van Niekerk is disrupting the status quo in the field of athletics with his achievements. Herein lies the parallel with T-Systems as we constantly strive to deliver disruptive solutions and services that underpin our customers’ abilities to in turn, disrupt their markets.”

T-Systems understands that the market is shifting and new technologies such as cloud, mobility, big data and more are, together with increasing customer expectations, fueling the need for companies to create a digitised environment. Digital transformation is crucial for companies to innovate and significantly reduce ‘time to deliver’ with new products and services.

Schoonbee adds, “However, it is not only about winning nor is it all about technology. We believe that there is a strong connection with the ‘human element’ and this too is what our support of van Niekerk represents. The purpose of technology is to make a positive impact on the human experience, whether it be work or personally related. Central to the ability to connect people, improve their service experience and more is digitisation. It transforms not only business but people’s lives.”

“In addition, we are excited to be involved in assisting to establish the Van Niekerk Foundation.”

Source: itnewsafrica

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South African athletics golden boy and world 400m champion Wayde van Niekerk has donated R500 000 to Groote Schuur Hospital’s neonatal unit.

Van Niekerk announced the donation yesterday at an event where he was introduced as a brand ambassador for IT firm T-Systems.

Last year, the 23-year-old was awarded R500 000 and a Mercedes Benz C-class after he was named Sportsman of the Year and claimed the People’s Choice accolade at the South African Sports Awards.

Van Niekerk also won an additional R500 000 for the charity of his choice. At yesterday’s event he explained exactly why the choice of charity was such an easy one: he was one of the countless premature babies cared for since the neonatal unit opened in 1987.

“Obviously I don’t remember a thing, but it’s something that is very close to my mother’s heart… At first I didn’t really know the significance of it until I got to hear her side of it, and the emotions and stresses my family went through.

“All the care and special attention that they gave me as a baby, just to try and help me survive each day, and the way they cared for me.

“My mom told me that every day when she woke up, she didn’t know whether I was going to be alive or not, so it was easy for me to say ‘let’s help out other premature babies’.”

Source: IOL

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