Staff Writer 
THREE of Zimbabwe’s top triathletes — Zander Botha, Matthew Hildebrand and Andie Kuipers — will take part in the Africa Triathlon Premier Cup and Junior Cup on Saturday in Swakopmund, Namibia’s premier coastal resort.
Zimbabwe’s triathlon sensation Botha will take part in the Africa Triathlon Premier Cup and Junior Cup just a week after winning gold at the 2026 Bonaqua Junior Africa Triathlon Cup, which was held in Troutbeck, Nyanga.
Kuipers — the top-ranked Zimbabwean elite triathlete — will compete in Swakopmund after being forced to abandon her swim due to oxygen deprivation.
National coach Pamela Fulton said the Africa Triathlon Premier Cup and Junior Cup will afford Zimbabwean athletes an invaluable chance to test themselves in open water and against a high‑calibre field.
“The field is strong. There are 14 elite women from 11 nations and 14 junior men from five countries, but our athletes are ready,” said Fulton, adding that Kuipers is determined to bounce back after a disappointing outing at Troutbeck.
“After her disappointment in Troutbeck, she is determined to turn her luck around in Swakopmund. Her primary target is to do her absolute best and finish to earn world ranking points.”
Fulton is happy with the progress Botha has made since he moved from youth to junior level this season.
“He has raced many of the athletes on this start list already and his personal goal is to continue improving his times and close the gap to those who have previously finished ahead of him,” she said.
Hildebrand, who, like Botha, will turn 16 this year, is looking forward to his Swakopmund debut. “This will be Matthew’s first time to compete in Swakopmund and against many of these men, some of whom are as old as 19. It will be another valuable race for both of them to gain experience in sea conditions before they rejoin the team in South Africa for the Africa Triathlon Cup in Mossel Bay,” she said.
For Zimbabwe’s younger athletes, competing in sea conditions and against seasoned regional rivals offers experience that is scarce back home, where open‑water opportunities are limited.
“The second half of our season has been extremely busy, with our youth, junior and elite athletes competing regionally and excelling. Our federation has received incredible exposure through this, which we are most grateful for.
Hopefully this will continue encouraging people to come and try our diverse and fun sport of swim, bike, run,” added Fulton.
After the Swakopmund competition, Kuipers will return to Australia to concentrate on targeted training before the Africa Sprint Championships in Mauritius in June, while the juniors will prepare to link up with the rest of the squad for the Mossel Bay event.
By Sandra Hove
