CAPE TOWN – Eight-year-old Saarah Bosch from Lotus River is proving that talent, determination and hard work can help young athletes rise above challenging circumstances.

The young gymnast has already won an impressive collection of gold medals and recently qualified for the Western Cape gymnastics trials, bringing her one step closer to her dream of one day representing South Africa.

Growing up in a community often affected by gang violence and crime, Saarah has remained focused on her goals, says her mother, Rushana Bosch.

Gymnastics journey

Instead of allowing her surroundings to define her future, she spends hours training and perfecting her routines. “I started gymnastics when I was five years old,” she said.

“I remember being very excited when I first tried a cartwheel. It felt fun and a little scary at first, but I wanted to keep trying until I got it right. That’s when I knew I loved gymnastics.”

Saarah, a learner at Buck Road Primary School, balances her training schedule with schoolwork and enjoys spending time with family and friends when she is not in the gym.

Her achievements have earned admiration from teachers and classmates alike.

“My teachers and friends know that I do gymnastics and they are always very happy for me when I win medals. They tell me they are proud of my achievements,” she said.

One of Saarah’s proudest moments came when she won a gold medal at the Cape Town Women’s Artistic Gymnastics competition.

“I was very excited and proud when I found out I had won. I worked really hard for it. The first people I wanted to tell were my mom and grandpa because they always support me,” she said.

Expensive

Rushana said gymnastics quickly became more than just a hobby for her daughter.

“Saarah started gymnastics at the age of five and immediately fell in love with the sport. Watching her dedication, discipline and determination grow over the years has been incredible,” she said.

As a single parent, however, supporting a competitive gymnast comes with significant financial challenges.

“Competitive gymnastics includes entry fees, transport, accommodation, training costs and meals while travelling. Meeting these expenses can be extremely difficult,” Bosch explained.

“There have been times when the financial pressure became so severe that she had to sell personal belongings to help cover competition costs.”

“Selling items from our home was never an easy decision, but I was determined not to let financial challenges stop her from pursuing her dreams,” she said.

Saarah’s grandfather, Robert Bosch, has also played a vital role in her journey, helping wherever possible and encouraging her every step of the way.

Much of the family’s support comes from Robert’s Sassa grant.

According to her coach Wayne Samuels, Saarah’s commitment sets her apart from many gymnasts her age.

Future goals

“Saarah is an extremely dedicated gymnast who will practise a skill repeatedly until she perfects it,” said Samuels. “She is miles ahead in terms of competition readiness compared to many gymnasts her age”.

He added that Saarah is already part of a high-performance programme after winning gold in aerobic gymnastics at the National Gymnastics Championships last year.

Despite her success, funding remains a major obstacle. The family is hoping to raise R2 500 to cover costs associated with upcoming competitions.

“The support would mean the world to our family,” said Rushana.

“Every contribution, no matter how small, helps Saarah continue pursuing her goals and representing her community with pride.”

For Saarah, the dream remains simple but ambitious.

“I want to keep improving, win more competitions and represent my province and country one day,” she said. “I would love to become a coach.” Her advice to other girls who may be afraid to try something new is straightforward: “Don’t be scared. Just try your best and keep practising.”

To contribute contact Rushana Bosch at 062 775 7131.

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