The walking sister: Zelda Botha's journey to World Race Walking Championships

What started as a dare by her older sister when Zelda Botha was in Grade 7 has since shaped her life and sporting career.

“This is my favourite story to tell. I was in Grade 6, and my sister was in Grade 8. We were in a small school on the West Coast called Hopefield High School.

She was racewalking and made it all the way to the Boland Provincial trials. I remember when she gave me her jacket to wear while she was racing; I felt such pride," Botha recalls.

"Fast forward a few months, I went running with her before Grade 7 started, and she was racewalking. I kept laughing and pretending not to know her when people walked past. So, my racewalking career started when she dared me to walk. Basically, she told me she wants to see if I can do it!"

Starting Grade 7, Botha set out to prove her sister wrong. However, what began as a challenge evolved into a deep bond.

"In her defence, what started out as a challenge ended up being the most beautiful sisterly bond. She helped me, guided me, and was my biggest supporter next to the track. That same year, my sister went all the way to the High School National Championships, and I went to the Primary Schools National Championships. Soon after that, we were crowned the ‘walking sisters’ by all who knew us! Even though she has stopped racewalking, she is still my confidant and supporter. My passion now shines brighter than it ever did before!”

The 34-year-old will represent South Africa in April at the World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships in Brazil.

In February, she dominated the women's 21.1km race, producing a standout performance at the Athletics South Africa (ASA) Race Walking Trials.

Reflecting on the trial, where she walked solo for the final seven kilometres, Botha spoke to Eyewitness News about the mental fortitude required to maintain her pace.

“If you asked me this question a few years ago, I believe my answer would be so much different. I would have thought of training and just keeping my rhythm. Nowadays, I keep thinking of all the sacrifices I have made to get where I was—the sleepless nights with my toddler, and how I gave up time to be with him so that I could train."

She notes that the resilience gained from motherhood has translated to the track. "Getting up during the night with no option to say no made me more resilient than ever. I naturally also have some motivational talks in my head I give myself along the way. The support on the sideline also helps loads.”

Botha secured a comfortable win for Central Gauteng Athletics in the women's half-marathon with a time of 1:52:55.

Despite the challenging course at the LC de Villiers Sports Grounds at the University of Pretoria, she noted the conditions were ideal.

“Weather conditions were great. Not too hot, and it played in my favour. This course is a difficult one as its turns are wide and one section is slightly uphill, making it very challenging as a racewalker.”

While Botha had already qualified for the World Championships in Ireland last December, she felt it was vital to compete in the February trials.

“The trials mean a lot, not just to ASA, but to me. I really feel that if I cannot perform on home ground, I most likely cannot perform on the world stage. I had to prove my worth. I needed to prove that my qualification in Ireland was not just a race and that I really wanted this. We are also obliged to prove that we have maintained our fitness. I knew that someone else could potentially walk a faster time than I did in my qualifying, so I needed to secure my place and prove I belonged in the team.”

Botha, who competes for Runzone Athletics Club and is coached by Patrick Murphy, won the national 20km title in 2021 before double hip surgery sidelined her. The road back was gruelling.

Surgeries: Two five-hour procedures, six weeks apart.

Mobility: Four months on crutches.

Recovery: 11 months of intensive rehab.

“The first year after surgery was brutal for me mentally, seeing everyone else racewalking while I was focused on my rehab. Even after 11 months, I still had difficulty with pain," she says.

However, the hiatus led to a new chapter. "Myself and my husband took the leap to try for a baby at the end of my rehab in 2022, and in 2023 my son was born! Looking back, hip surgery was the best thing that could have happened because it was the start of our small family. Nothing brings me more joy than to share my love for sport with my son and my husband."

For Botha, wearing the national colours represents more than just athletic achievement.

“The green and gold is the ultimate goal for any athlete. Reaching this level after all these years means I get to share it with my husband, representing my country for the first time as a Botha. I couldn’t be more excited. I also now have a special set of eyes looking up at me, and I want to make him proud! Representing South Africa is truly an incredible honour.”