WATCH: SA's teen Olympic silver medallist returns to joyous welcome at school

South Africa's teenage Olympic silver medallist returned to school to be met with an exuberant welcome on Thursday.

18-year-old Bayanda Walaza was part of the team that bagged a silver medal at the Paris OIympics when they took second spot in the men's 4x100m relay.

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Flag-waving pupils at Curro Hazeldean in Pretoria cheered on the young star as he walked a red carpet into the school hall.

The Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube, was also present to take part in the celebrations.

At one point Minister Gwarube hung Walaza's silver medal around the neck of his proud mother.

She described his mom as 'the wings beneath Bayanda’s wings'. 

Also proud of course, is Walaza's coach at Curro Hazeldean.

John Maytham chatted to 'Coach T', Thabo Matebedi, about his star athlete and their relationship.

Matebedi says he first met Walaza at the National Championships in Kwazulu-Natal last year, where the teenager approached him and the sports manager about joining them at the school. 

"We sat down for very long time discussing his future and what would be expected from him if he came to Hazeldean, and then we came to an agreement."

Thabo 'Coach T' Matebedi 

Aside from ability, it's the character of an athlete that makes the difference, the coach says.

"You can be fast, you can be strong... but if you don't have a strong character, ambition and goals, and discipline and determination it's g to be difficult for you to achieve."

"During our long conversation I tried to figure out what kind of a person he is, and he's a very disciplined young man and he knows what he wants."

Thabo 'Coach T' Matebedi

What does the future hold for Walaza?

"I've seen that movie before where young boys run fast at high school and then as they move on and can't make a living out of it... and don't achieve anything anymore."

"With Bayanda there's a good plan on the school side. They have committed themselves to support him even after school."

"He's been receiving so many offers from overseas which he declined because he wants to stay with his coach in South Africa, so then we can guide him from home."

Thabo 'Coach T' Matebedi

Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the conversation