Maritzburg College learner pursues career in USA

Maritzburg College bid farewell to 6th former Neo Mosebi last term, as he heads off to pursue his promising running career in the USA.

Born in King William’s town, Neo joined the College family at the start of his Grade 8 year, coming to the school from Dale Primary in the Eastern Cape on a sports scholarship. A naturally talented young sportsman, Neo initially represented College at U14A level in both rugby and cricket disciplines.

However, it was a year later, in his Grade 9 year at the inter-house athletics championships, that he discovered both his love and talent for sprinting. With a then winning time of 11:05, it wasn’t long before Neo was running sub-11s for the 100m sprint. Neo says it was Anthony Sparrow (then master in charge of Athletics at College), who mentored and encouraged him to follow his running dream. For the next few years, Neo pursued athletics at College, working with a private coach, achieving a ranking of second in the world in the U20 category for 100m.

Neo has also achieved some outstanding race results; a current career best of 10:18s for the 100m at the ASA Track and Field Athletics Championships in April this year, earning himself a bronze medal position and a split second difference against Olympian, Akani Simbine.

Talking to Neo before he left College, it is clear that his faith plays a big role in his life, providing him with a solid foundation, as well as the strength and courage to pursue his dreams. A prefect in his final year at school, Neo also served a leadership role in the College for Christ group, inspiring and encouraging his College brothers.

Just before his imminent departure to the USA, we (Maritzburg College) asked Neo to share his goals. Displaying a maturity beyond his years, Neo shared that in the next few months, his short term goal is not just to complete his matric, but to achieve top results, placing academics as his immediate objective. He will be travelling to Ohio in August to complete his high school year.

In the longer term, he wants to focus on training to race at the 2024 Olympics in Paris. Neo says his long term goal is to remain active in the athletics field, possibly pursuing a career in Physiotherapy, and give back to the sport he loves so much!