MANZINI-Team Siata is celebrating Eswatini teenage cycling sensation Sivuyile Gulwako for his recent podium finish.
Gulwako claimed second place at the 100km MTN Khemani Road Classic Under-19 category. The first prize was taken by Ted Makgetho of Dress A Child Club also in South Africa. The event was held on a hilly Mankayane route on Saturday, September 26. It attracted cyclists from five nations including Eswatini. The other represented nations were Lesotho, Namibia, Mozambique and South Africa.
Notably, Gulwako doubles as the Eswatini Junior National Road champion. Following his good performance, Siata took to their official social media page on Facebook to laud the achievement.
“We are immensely proud of Sivuyile. His talent is undeniable; his discipline is relentless; and his heart for the sport is exactly what Team Siata is built on,” the post read.
Team Siata Academy is registered with Cycling South Africa Federation and affiliated to Kwa-Zulu Natal (KZN)Cycling. The team do full charity development and high performance training for young cyclists from various backgrounds and respective race groups. From producing national champions in South Africa and Eswatini to supporting riders at continental level, their vision is clear to raise Africa’s next generation of cycling greats.
Mandiswa Fakudze and Kwanele Jele led Eswatini’s charge at the 12th MTN Khemani Road Classic. At one stage, Kwanele Jele, who finished as the first liSwati and seventh overall, led the peloton in the 100km race before losing steam as the race progressed towards the finish line. Fakudze, riding for Newcom Wheels Cycling Club, produced a determined performance to win the 100km women’s race in 3:40:01, earning E5 800 for the victory and a further E2 200 for being the first liSwati woman.
She was the only female finisher in the 100km race but battled through tough conditions to complete the course.
Lesotho’s Khotsofalang Rakaota claimed the men’s 100km title in 2:40:07, edging South African Bongani Maphanga by three seconds, with Butiki Ndebele third in 2:44:09. Rakaota pocketed E5 800.
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