A warm and celebratory welcome awaited young boxers Mvukelelo Snyman and Sentsane Mokhehle on their return from Algeria after clinching bronze medals at the inaugural 2025 African School Games. The event, held from late July to early August across several Algerian cities, brought together the continent’s top school-age athletes in a variety of sports, including the highly competitive discipline of boxing.
Organised under the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) and the International School Sport Federation (ISF), thee Games aimed to showcase Africa’s young talent. Boxing, one of Algeria’s high-profile sports, saw the host nation dominate the podium, with their men’s team claiming multiple golds. Other countries like Ghana, The Gambia, Namibia, and Nigeria also made strong showings. Lesotho, however, proved that quality can outweigh quantity. Due to financial constraints, the nation’s boxing delegation was limited to just two athletes Sentsane Mokhehle in the girls’ 48 kg category and Mvukelelo Snyman in the boys’ 57 kg category. Both fighters battled their way into the semifinals, guaranteeing bronze medals for the Mountain Kingdom before their campaigns came to an end.
On Saturday, 8 August, the Lesotho National Olympic Committee hosted a welcome ceremony in Maseru to honour the young champions. LSRC President Baba Malephane praised the duo for keeping their promise to bring home medals, urging them to remain committed to both their sporting careers and education. LNOC President Letsatsi Ntsibolani thanked the parents for their support and encouraged the athletes to begin preparations for the Africa Youth Games 2026 in Senegal. He also announced Nigeria and Kenya as the hosts for the 2027 and 2029 School Games respectively.
Reflecting on her performance, Mokhehle told the media, “It is time”, signalling the start of her boxing journey. Snyman expressed pride in his progress, despite sustaining an injury to his right hand during his semifinal bout.
Team coach Daemane Lengola described the trip as a valuable experience, though not without its challenges. The extreme Algerian heat, long travel distances, and first-time exposure to such conditions affected the boxers’ weight. He commended chief de mission Mabokang Mdandalaza for her parental role and tireless support throughout the competition. Lengola added that Snyman’s match against a Tunisian opponent was particularly satisfying, as it provided a clear benchmark of the young boxer’s capabilities against top-tier competition.
For Lesotho, the two bronze medals mark a promising start on the continental stage and a strong sign that, with continued support and preparation, the nation’s young athletes can punch well above their weight.
