The South African Jockey Academy (SAJA) held its 2024 Annual Awards Ceremony on Friday 6 December at the Summerveld Club House, marking a year of growth and success.
Meet the future stars – SAJA’s class of 2024 with Sharks player Pepsi Buthelezi (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
The event, attended by Academy board members, apprentices, and special guests, celebrated the outstanding accomplishments of its apprentices and the ongoing support of its partners.
The ceremony featured a special address by Phendulani “Phepsi” Buthelezi, star player of the Hollywoodbets Sharks rugby team.
The Academy also celebrated the completion of the second phase of campus renovations, made possible by the Hollywood Foundation. New facilities, including a revamped entrance, multipurpose court, and upgraded dormitories, have created a modern and inspiring environment for the apprentices.
With support from partners like DataCentrix and Hollywoodbets, the Academy has also enhanced its technological capabilities, providing apprentices and staff with upgraded Wi-Fi and laptops to support their education.
Prestigious awards were presented during the ceremony, including the Ben Jonsson Trophy to Girish Samo-Burthia, the McDonald Trophy to Nirvan Nastili, and the Elevation Trophy to National Champion Apprentice Kobeli Lihaba. The Nicky Armstrong awards were presented in memory of the Academy’s late teacher, with Damyan Pillay and Brevan Plaatjies receiving the Proxime Accessit and Dux awards.
Looking ahead to 2025, the Academy is set for continued growth, with strategic relocations to Gqeberha and Cape Town offering more race experience and career development opportunities for apprentices.
The rebranding of the Academy also includes a new logo, signifying its bright future.
Special thanks were extended to the Hollywood Foundation for its ongoing support, including funding 25 full bursaries since 2020, and to the various partners, including racing operators and trainers, who make the Academy’s success possible.
The Ben Jonsson Trophy
First-year apprentice Girish Samo-Burthia receives the Ben Jonsson Trophy from Pepsi Buthelezi (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
This trophy is awarded to the first year Apprentice that best embodies the following values:
- Dedication
- Discipline
- Enthusiasm
- Hard Work
- Humbleness
- Impeccable Manners
- Respect
- Passion
- Willingness to Learn
The McDonald Trophy
Nirvan Nastili received the McDonald Trophy, presented by Pepsi Buthelezi (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
This trophy is awarded annually to a 3rd to 5th year apprentice resident in KwaZulu Natal.
Factors taken into account when deciding on this award are:
- Jockeyship
- Courtesy
- Horsemanship
- Co-operation
- Integrity
- Personality
- Striving to avoid infraction of racing rules.
The Elevation Trophy
This floating trophy is presented to an apprentice who has been crowned as the national champion apprentice.
This year the award went to Kobeli Lihaba.
Kobeli Lihaba was the recipient of the Elevation Trophy. Pepsi Buthelezi presented the award (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
The Headmaster’s Award
This is an award given at the discretion of the headmaster. This year it goes to an apprentice who has shown courage, determination, perseverance and is proof that positivity can overcome any adversity – an apprentice of whom we are all proud.
This year the award went to Trent Mayhew.
Multiple award-winning apprentice Trent Mayhew received the Headmaster’s Award from Sharks player Pepsi Buthelezi (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
The Vinay Harry Inter-House Trophy
The Academy has an Inter-House Challenge, that tallies points for Academics, Sporting Activities, Special Events, and Professionality. The houses are named after three racing families in KwaZulu Natal, Carlisle House, Lambert House and Jonsson House.
This year the award goes to Carlisle House – Mr Martin Ball, Vishek Ramdhonee, Brevan Plaatjies, Varun Jodhee, and Siphesihle Hlengwa.
The Justin Bircher Most Improved Athlete Trophy
This trophy has been donated by the bio-kineticists, Justin Bircher and Associates. It is awarded to an Apprentice who has improved the most throughout the year.
This year the award went to Vishek Ramdhonee.
The Justin Bircher Athlete of the Year Trophy
This trophy is awarded to an Apprentice who has produced the highest-ranking scores throughout the year.
This year the award went to Jacey Botes.
The Keri Strachan Excellence in Nutrition and Weight Award
This is awarded to the apprentice that complies with the Academy nutrition programme and is committed to their individual nutrition strategy in order to maintain their ideal body weight, and the apprentice who consistently achieves their goal weight, with healthy body fat, within a tight margin.
This year the award was shared by Eduan Muller and Dezahn Louw.
GRADE 10 – awarded to an apprentice who achieved the highest aggregate in Grade 10.
Dezahn Louw was awarded:
- A certificate for achieving over 70% in EQASA (Equestrian Qualifications Authority of Southern Africa) Module 1 and 2.
- The Greg Holme Trophy that is awarded to an Apprentice in Grade 10 who achieved the highest results in the EQASA Exams.
- The Racing and Equestrian Floating Trophy
GRADE 11
Blaine Marx-Jacobson was awarded:
- Certificates for achieving over 70% in EQASA Module 1 and 2.
Mxolisi Mbuto was awarded:
- A certificate for achieving over 75% in isiZulu First Additional Language.
Jacey Botes was awarded:
- Certificates for achieving over 70% in EQASA Module 2.
- The Elizabeth Jonsson Trophy that is awarded to an Apprentice in Grade 11 who achieved the highest results in the EQASA Exams.
- A certificate for achieving over 75% in Life Orientation, and Afrikaans First Additional Language.
- The Racing and Equestrian Floating Trophy that is awarded to an apprentice who achieved the highest aggregate in Grade 11.
GRADE 12
Damyan Pillay was awarded:
- A certificate for achieving over 75% in Life Orientation.
Brevan Plaatjies was awarded:
- A certificate for achieving over 75% in Life Orientation.
The Nicky Armstrong Proxime Accessit Trophy
This trophy is awarded to an apprentice who achieves the 2nd highest academic results in Grade 12.
The Proxime Accessit for 2024 is Damyan Pillay.
The Nicky Armstrong Dux Trophy
This trophy is awarded to an apprentice who achieves the highest academic results in Grade 12.
The Dux for 2024 is Brevan Plaatjies.
Eduan Muller was awarded:
- Certificates for achieving over 70% in EQASA Module 1 and 2.
- A certificate for successfully completing an introduction course in Equine studies.
Girish Dookhit was awarded:
- Certificates for achieving over 70% in EQASA Module 1 and 2.
Vishek Rhamdhonee was awarded:
- Certificates for achieving over 70% in EQASA Module 1.
Girish Samo-Burthia was awarded:
- Certificates for achieving over 70% in EQASA Module 1 and 2.
- The Amanda Jonsson Trophy that is awarded to a Post Matric Apprentice who achieved the highest results in the EQASA Exams.
Awarded to apprentices who completed their apprenticeships earlier this year:
- Donald Geerthsen
- Keratile Katjedi
- Siphesihle Hlengwa
- Siyanda Sosibo
- Damyan Pillay,
- Jacey Botes,
- Sfisokuhle Bungane, and
- Nirvan Nastili (SRC member for the Gauteng branch of SAJA).
Head boy for the year 2025: Jacey Botes.
Congratulations to all the recipients!
