Rowers earn national colours - St Stithians College delighted

Rowers earn national colours. Champions in the making: Saints rowers earn National Colours.

St Stithians College is immensely proud to announce that St Stithians Girls’ College students Ntsako Shipalana (Grade 12) and Kenya Simpson (Grade 12) have been selected to represent South Africa at the World Rowing Under 19 Championships in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, this August.

Ntsako will compete in the JW2X double scull alongside her partner from The Diocesan School for Girls. Kenya has secured her seat in the JW4X quad scull with crewmates from St Andrew’s School for Girls and St Mary’s, Waverley. Together, this inspiring group of young women will showcase the very best of South African schoolgirl rowing on the world stage.

World Rowing Under 19 Championships

For those who have followed their journey, this achievement marks a remarkable milestone. Since joining the Saints rowing programme in Grade 7, both athletes have demonstrated unwavering dedication and perseverance. Their international exposure began with the World Rowing Under-19 Championships in 2023. There, they gained invaluable experience in the UK. In 2024, they delivered a strong school season. They progressed through the full provincial and national selection process, narrowly missing final selection. Such setbacks can be testing, yet Ntsako and Kenya responded with resilience. They renewed focus and determination — qualities that have now earned them this well-deserved national honor.

We also acknowledge the vital role of Coach Bakang Zondi, the new 1st Team coach. whose guidance helped them rediscover their love of performance during challenging times. It takes a special kind of coach to support athletes through the lows while still demanding excellence at the highest level.

Equally inspiring is who they are beyond the water. Last year, while training at this elite level, Ntsako achieved Academic Half Colours, and Kenya was awarded Academic Honours. Far from being a distraction, rowing has instilled the discipline and focus that allow them to thrive across all areas of school life.

OneAndAll race

Behind every athlete who reaches this level stands a family whose sacrifices make the dream possible. The early mornings, the weekends at regattas, the quiet encouragement on difficult days, and the steadfast belief when doubts arose. All of this belongs to the Shipalana and Simpson families as much as to their daughters. Thank you for entrusting us with your girls and for creating a home environment where young athletes can dream big and do the work to achieve it. This is what Saints Rowing is all about: backing the whole athlete. Ntsako and Kenya embody that vision, and we cannot wait to watch #OneAndAll race proudly in Bulgaria.