Skipnation Rope Skipping Challenge 2024 Winners Announced

Gymnastics South Africa today announces the winners of this year’s Skipnation Challenge, an initiative designed to get South Africans—especially the youth—moving again. Launched in 2021, Skipnation continues to grow, bringing together schools, clubs, and communities across the country in the spirit of fun, fitness, and friendly competition.

“We started Skipnation to encourage physical activity in a way that’s accessible to everyone,” Marti Heri, Development Manager of Gymnastics South Africa. “While we’re still expanding and growing participation, the enthusiasm we’ve seen so far is promising. It’s a step in the right direction for promoting healthier lifestyles among our youth.”

The Skipnation Rope Skipping Challenge offers a simple but effective way to keep the youth active again, with participants showcasing their skills in categories like Basic Jump, Speed Run and Double-Under Skipping. The 2024 competition started with a rural speed challenge event series in May and June with live competitions in each province. We saw an increase in participation from schools and clubs, as more communities are gradually embracing the initiative.

“Each year we see new schools and clubs coming on board,” adds Heri. “The excitement from the participants keeps us motivated to keep building on this.” Schools and clubs showcased their talents by submitting videos of their best athletes performing as many skips as possible in just 30 seconds, hoping to secure a spot at the top.

We invited a tertiary institution to this year’s Skipnation to introduce the fitness and health component of skipping and rope skipping skills that are part of the national school curriculum.

A Speed Challenge was an active part of the 1st Sport Day of CPUT (Cape Peninsula University of Technology) Bachelor of Education Faculty for students from Mowbray, Bellville and Wellington Campus on 4 September 2024 taking part in 30 seconds Both Feet Jump speed challenge and a 3- minute Skip-a-thon.

Results -Public Competition (CPUT)

Both Feet Jump Males

  • 1st Place: Sinesipho Gamalitshoyo – 112 jumps (Western Cape)
  •  2nd Place: SP Keyser – 104 jumps (Western Cape)
  • 3rd Place: Daniel Kees – 101 jumps (Western Cape)

Both Feet Jump Females

  • 1st Place: Nkopa Tikiti – 90 jumps (Western Cape)
  • 2nd Place: Siphesihle – 80 jumps (Western Cape)
  • 3rd Place: Lihle Plaatjie – 78 jumps (Western Cape)

3 minutes endurance (Skip-a-thon)- males and females

  • 1st Place: Zimi Matholo – 459 jumps (Western Cape)
  • 2nd Place Nhupa Tikiti – 430 jumps (Western Cape)
  • 3rd Place: Dr. Lizelle Pretorius – 391 jumps (Western Cape)

Here are the winners of this year’s Skipnation challenge across various categories:

Speed Run – Males (Clubs)

  • 1st Place: Sphephelo Motau – 89 skips (Amagugu Amahle, Mpumalanga)
  • 2nd Place: Thokozani Mahlangu – 85 skips (Amagugu Amahle, Mpumalanga)
  • 3rd Place: Siyabonga Thabede – 82 skips (Amajuba Gymnastics, KZN)

Speed Run – Females (Clubs)

  • 1st Place: Bontle Sekhoale – 79 skips (Amagugu Amahle, Mpumalanga)
  • 2nd Place: Mpumi Mashinini – 71 skips (The Crazy Pioneers, Mpumalanga)
  • 3rd Place: Ziyanda Ngwenya – 68 skips (Amagugu Amahle, Mpumalanga)

Speed Run – High School Males

  • 1st Place: Kwanele Vangeli – 98 skips (Makhasa High School, KZN)
  • 2nd Place: Thabang Makara – 96 skips (Lefikeng High School, Free State)
  • 3rd Place: Luyanda Ngwane – 89 skips (Makhasa High School, KZN)

Speed Run – High School Females

  • 1st Place: Karabelo Mohlakoana – 81 skips (Lefikeng High School, Free State)
  • 2nd Place: Relebohile Selemela – 75 skips (Lefikeng High School, Free State)
  • 3rd Place: Busisiwe Vilakazi – 74 skips (Mohlarutse High School, Limpopo)

Speed Run – Primary School Males

  • 1st Place: Nkosinathi Ringane – 71 skips (Motoaneng Primary School, Mpumalanga)
  • 2nd Place: Samkelo Mokwana – 70 skips (Motoaneng Primary School, Mpumalanga)
  • 3rd Place: Kagelelo Mamuno – 67 skips (Thibogang Primary School, Northwest)

Speed Run – Primary School Females

  • 1st Place: Moseki Gafaone – 75 skips (Thibogang Primary School, Northwest)
  • 2nd Place: Keamogetse Molaogela – 67 skips (Thibogang Primary School, Northwest)
  • 3rd Place: Terry-Lin Agus – 57 skips (Assumpta Primary School, Northern Cape)

Double Under – Males (Clubs)

  • 1st Place: Siyabonga Thabede – 80 skips (Amajuba Gymnastics Club, KZN)
  • 2nd Place: Thokozani Mahlangu – 79 skips (Amagugu Amahle, Mpumalanga)
  • 3rd Place: Sizwe Mgidi – 78 skips (Amagugu Amahle, Mpumalanga)

Double Under – Females (Clubs)

  • 1st Place: Fikile Jiyane – 72 skips (The Crazy Pioneers, Mpumalanga)
  • 2nd Place: Bontle Sekhaolelo – 71 skips (Amagugu Amahle, Mpumalanga)
  • 3rd Place: Mpumi Mashinini – 67 skips (The Crazy Pioneers, Mpumalanga)

Both Feet Jumps – High School Males

  • 1st Place: Kwanele Vangeli – 127 jumps (Makhasa High School, KZN)
  • 2nd Place: Luyanda Ngwane – 126 jumps (Makhasa High School, KZN)
  • 3rd Place: Mabandla Dlala – 107 jumps (St Lewis Bertrand High School, KZN)

Both Feet Jumps – High School Females

  • 1st Place: Simanye Mazwayi – 117 jumps (Luhlaza High School, Western Cape)
  • 2nd Place: Sanele Ndlovu – 103 jumps (Makhasa High School, KZN)
  • 3rd Place: Tshwarelo Malunga – 102 jumps (Lerona High School, Northwestt)

Both Feet Jumps – Primary School Males

  • 1st Place: Wandile Mollo – 125 jumps (Inverness Primary School, KZN)
  • 2nd Place: Thalefo Seochwareng – 118 jumps (Oranje Suid Primary School, Northern Cape)
  • 3rd Place: Refaone Venga – 113 jumps (Thibogang Primary School, Northwest)

Both Feet Jumps – Primary School Females

  • 1st Place: Zithabile Mateyisi – 107 jumps (Ummangaliso Primary School, Western Cape)
  • 2nd Place: Linomtha Bubayi – 99 jumps (Sobambisana Primary School, Western Cape)
  • 3rd Place: Valencia Jonkers – 91 jumps (Perde-Eiland Primary School, Northern Cape)

Special School Participation

  • 1st Place: Entokozweni Special School (KZN)

Most Participation – Clubs

  • 1st Place: Amagugu Amahle (Mpumalanga)

Most Participation – High Schools

  • 1st Place: Lefikeng High School (Free State)

Most Participation – Primary Schools

  • 1st Place: Thibogang Primary School (Northwest)

As another successful year of Skipnation wraps up, Gymnastics South Africa extends a heartfelt thank you to all schools, and clubs who participated in this year’s event. The enthusiasm and dedication displayed by each participant continue to drive the mission of fostering health and fitness across the nation.

“We look forward to welcoming even more participants next year as Skipnation continues to evolve and inspire participants from different age groups to skip their way to greatness!” concluded Heri.