Latest news with #HoërskoolWaterkloof
The Citizen
03-08-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Centurion's teen combat star fights her way to the top
Centurion's teen combat star fights her way to the top Local martial artist Minette Kruger is proving that grit, resilience, and focus can carry a young athlete from local beginnings to international recognition. The 19-year-old from Highveld, Centurion, is redefining what it means to be a student athlete, balancing an intense training schedule in wrestling and mixed martial arts (MMA) with her academic life. Kruger's journey began far from the mats and cages where she now competes. 'I grew up in Kimberley in the Northern Cape. I moved to Pretoria when I was 17 and was a learner at Hoërskool Waterkloof,' she said. Her sporting path started early with traditional school sports, such as hockey, netball, and dance. But in July 2017, everything changed. 'One of my mother's friends suggested wrestling for my brother, who has ADHD, and I was curious. I attended one class, and that is how I started,' she said. Kruger's introduction to MMA came a few years later during the lockdown. 'During the Covid-19 pandemic, I spent a lot of time on my phone. One day, I saw a post about Conor McGregor and I looked him up. I saw that he did MMA, and I liked it. So I started in 2021.' She began taking wrestling seriously in 2019 and that same year competed at the ISF Combat Games in Budapest, Hungary. In 2022, she advanced in MMA and went on to represent South Africa at the MMA Youth World Championships in Abu Dhabi. Among her proudest achievements is winning bronze in the senior women's 62kg division at the 2024 African Wrestling Championships. 'I was the first woman in eight years to win a medal for South Africa,' she said. Kruger also competed in the Olympic Qualifiers that same year. However, her journey along the way has not been easy. 'Moving so far away from my parents at a young age was hard. 'But what motivated me is that they did it so that I can achieve my dreams in wrestling and MMA,' she added. In 2024, her career was threatened by a serious knee injury. She tore her anterior cruciate ligament during her international tour, which required surgery and a full year of recovery. 'I have been struggling with the injury since 2021, but during my international tour, I tore it completely. I had surgery in May 2024 and had to do rehab. I am still not fully recovered, but I am moving forward,' she said. She credits her biokineticist, Jonathan Lottering, with keeping her mentally strong. 'He helped me through the days I felt off.' Despite her physical challenges, Kruger continues to dream big. 'I want to compete at the 2028 Olympics for wrestling, and I also want to become a professional fighter in the UFC,' she said. Now enrolled at the New Graduate Institute (NGI) in Centurion, Kruger is balancing her studies in sport management with daily rehabilitation, wrestling, and MMA training. 'I have classes during the day, rehab in the afternoon, and then training until eight in the evening. When I get home, I study until late,' she said. 'My qualification has helped me become a better athlete and coach. It teaches me how athletes should behave, how to communicate better with kids when coaching, and helps me understand my body during training.' Kruger's support system plays a major role in her journey. 'My parents and friends have always been there for me. Even when we do not see each other often, I can count on them,' she said. She also honours her late coach, Nico Coetzee, and current mentors Shane and Sloane Goosen of the Centurion Warriors Wrestling Club. Being a role model is a responsibility Kruger embraces. 'It means the world to me that there are girls who look up to me. I want to show the world that a woman can do anything,' she said. She shared some advice for young athletes who also have dreams of making it big one day. 'Even when it looks like your dreams will not come true, keep moving forward. Hard work beats talent when talent does not work hard. Do it tired, do it unmotivated, do it on your worst days, and you will succeed.' NGI spokesperson Timothy Verne said the institution is proud to celebrate Kruger as one of its rising stars. 'Minette is an extraordinarily talented and driven first-year student whose work ethic and dedication to mixed martial arts and her studies are making her stand out in the ring and the classroom,' Verne said. He added that she will proudly represent NGI on the hockey field and make her amateur MMA debut at Versus in November. 'Minette is a true trailblazer, an inspiration, and an example to her peers, embodying what can happen when you work hard and pursue your purpose with passion to create success,' he said. Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to [email protected] or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok.
Eyewitness News
02-07-2025
- Eyewitness News
Hoërskool Waterkloof parents want principal reinstated despite serious allegations against him
PRETORIA - The principal of Hoërskool Waterkloof in Pretoria is at the centre of a heated stand-off as parents call for his reinstatement while serious allegations continue to loom over him. Chris Denysschen was temporarily removed from his post last year and is currently the subject of an ongoing disciplinary process managed by the Education Labour Relations Council. The Gauteng Education Department said the action taken against him followed claims of improper conduct, but supporters of the principal argued that the matter was being dragged out unfairly, without any formal finding. Denysschen was last week transferred to the Tshwane South district office after fresh concerns were raised about possible interference with witnesses. While details remain limited due to the sensitive nature of the complaints, which allegedly involve minors, legal representatives confirmed that legislation such as the Children's Act and Sexual Offences Act had been referenced during the hearing, as part of the broader arbitration process. To date, no formal criminal charges have been brought, and the principal, through his legal team, has denied any wrongdoing. The department has described the allegations as serious, but the closed hearing has been delayed multiple times, with no timeline for a final outcome. In the meantime, over 1,400 parents have rallied behind Denysschen in a WhatsApp group, praising his contributions to the school and demanding his return. On Wednesday, the complainants' lawyer held a media briefing, criticising what they called an unclear and unfair process. "It might be that we are not happy with the proceedings that's happening now and how it is carrying on. But we have to give this thing a chance to be ventilated during the arbitration and seeing where it goes from there." Meanwhile, parents in support of the principal pointed to Waterkloof's academic success under his leadership, including last year's matric results, which saw the school earn the most distinctions of any public school in the country.
The Herald
27-06-2025
- The Herald
Hoërskool Waterkloof principal moved to district office after interference complaint
The Gauteng department of education on Thursday precautionarily transferred the principal of Hoërskool Waterkloof, Chris Denysschen, following complaints of alleged interference with witnesses at the school. Allegations of improper conduct were levelled against Denysschen last year and the department refused to disclose full details due to the sensitivity of the matter and the fact that the disciplinary hearing was still pending. He was initially placed on precautionary transfer to the district office in September last year, but this was lifted on December 12, and he returned to school. On Thursday, the department said the principal will from Friday report to the Tshwane South district office. 'He will remain there until the conclusion of the disciplinary proceedings, which are being managed independently by the Education Labour Relations Council, the statutory body responsible for overseeing such hearings,' Gauteng education department spokesperson Steve Mabona said. TimesLIVE
The Citizen
25-06-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Young archer eyes medal at World Student Games
Getting to hit the bullseye with a bow and arrow in hand is second nature to Joané Coetzee. It should be no surprise. It is said that becoming a competitive archer requires a combination of physical fitness, mental strength, and the mastery of specific techniques. The Tuks sports science student ticks all the boxes. A quick glance at her CV is proof of that. Since 2020, not a year has gone by where she hasn't won a South African title. She is also versatile. It doesn't matter if she's shooting indoors or outdoors or taking aim at animal-shaped targets in the field. Coetzee does not miss. At a rough count, she has more than 13 national titles to her name. A definite highlight was being crowned Junior Indoor World Champion in 2023. Next month in Germany, the Tuks sports science student will get another chance to claim a world title when she competes in the World Student Games. Coetzee can't wait. One of the main reasons she chose archery as a sport is because she likes to be put under pressure. 'I don't quite know how to say it, but I like tension. That's when I'm at my best. Each time when I compete, I aim to be better than I was the last time,' she described her philosophy during a recent interview. According to Coetzee, she completely shut herself off from what's going on around her during a competition. 'It's just me, the bow and the target that matters. When I shoot a bad arrow, I try to forget about it immediately. My focus is on the next arrow, making sure it counts,' she explained. Competitive archery often involves shooting multiple arrows in a short period, requiring the archer to repeatedly draw and hold the bow. This requires significant upper-body strength and endurance to maintain form and accuracy. To keep the bow steady requires a strong core. It is also believed that the fitter an archer, the more mentally tough they are. This is the reason why Coetzee likes to go for runs and spend hours in the gym. 'We have actually been given a whole fitness program we need to complete before the World Student Games,' said Coetzee. According to her, archery is a family thing. 'Everyone can shoot, but that does not mean they are as serious about the sport as I am. My dad is an avid bow hunter. When I was in Grade 8 at Hoërskool Waterkloof, I got tick bite fever. It meant I missed out on the athletics and netball trials. So, my dad convinced me to take up archery. It did not take long for me to get hooked,' she remarked. Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to bennittb@ or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
27-05-2025
- The Citizen
Principal probe, school fires, and budget tug-of-war unpacked
The department also confirmed that the principal of Hoërskool Waterkloof is facing a disciplinary process. The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) has continued to address matters surrounding school function transfers, disciplinary processes, and fire safety in schools. On Monday, the department addressed a series of concerns, including allegations of teacher posts being sold at Unity Secondary School, the fire incident at Riverlea High School, and funding challenges for Schools of Specialisation. Additionally, GDE on Tuesday formally transferred the responsibility of paying municipal accounts back to schools in Eldorado Park. Schools regain control of municipal payments This comes after the department temporarily assumed the function in April 2024 due to 'poor financial management' by some School Governing Bodies (SGBs). According to the department, the transfer was in line with the South African Schools Act. 'The six fee-paying schools in Eldorado Park were formally informed in 2023 that the responsibility […] would be returned to them. The nine no-fee schools received similar notification in 2025,' it said. The department clarified that, legally, the Head of Department (HOD) may withdraw or reinstate such functions without consultation. 'Section 21 of the Schools Act allows for schools to apply for additional functions; it does not require consultation before such functions are reinstated or withdrawn,' the statement read. Schools are now encouraged to improve their financial management systems and 'raise additional funds under Section 36 of the Act' to meet their obligations. ALSO READ: Education minister calls on all roleplayers to help stop kids bullying Principal of Hoërskool Waterkloof under investigation The department also confirmed that the principal of Hoërskool Waterkloof is facing a disciplinary process following allegations of improper conduct. The principal was placed on precautionary transfer to the district office on 12 September 2024, with the measure lifted on 12 December 2024. 'Due to the sensitivity of the matter and the disciplinary hearing still being pending, full details of the allegations […] cannot be disclosed at this time,' the Department stated. The hearing is being managed by the Education Labour Relations Council (ELRC). The principal has since returned to the school, and no official complaints of victimisation have been reported. The GDE added that clear grievance procedures are in place and that it is 'monitoring this case closely'. ALSO READ: KZN Education welcomes arrest of alleged serial school rapist Fire safety remains a concern in Gauteng schools Between the 2021/22 and 2025/26 financial years, 29 fire incidents were recorded across Gauteng schools. The GDE reported that six schools were repaired at a cost of R9.3 million, while ten others received support through insurance or donations. 13 schools are yet to be repaired, with their cases referred to the Gauteng Department of Infrastructure Development for assessment. The GDE noted that many schools 'have limited fire safety infrastructure,' though firefighting equipment has been provided to high-risk institutions. 'Firefighting and emergency response training is provided to learners and educators through accredited programmes,' the department said. However, inspections show that many schools still lack functional fire alarms and proper firefighting equipment. 'The department remains committed to expanding safety training and infrastructure… to ensure that all schools meet minimum Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) standards,' the statement concluded. NOW READ: Jobs for cash, missing millions and fire chaos: Gauteng education responds to school scandals
