South African Jockey Academy Honors Excellence at 2024 Awards Ceremony
Summerveld, KwaZulu-Natal – On the 6th of December 2024, the South African Jockey Academy (SAJA) hosted its prestigious Annual Awards Ceremony at the Summerveld Club House, celebrating a year of significant achievements and growth. The event brought together Academy board members, apprentices, and special guests, recognizing the exceptional accomplishments of its apprentices and the unwavering support from its partners.
The evening featured an inspiring keynote address by Phendulani “Phepsi” Buthelezi, a star player from the HollywoodBets Sharks and Springbok rugby teams.
A Year of Growth and Renewal
The ceremony also highlighted the completion of the second phase of campus renovations, made possible by the generous support of the Hollywood Foundation. These upgrades include a newly redesigned entrance, a multipurpose court, and enhanced dormitory facilities, creating a more modern and inspiring environment for the apprentices.
Thanks to the contributions of partners like DataCentrix and HollywoodBets, the Academy has significantly boosted its technological resources, offering apprentices and staff upgraded Wi-Fi and laptops to enhance the learning experience.
Celebrating Achievement and Looking to the Future
During the ceremony, several key awards were presented. Girish Samo-Burthia received the prestigious Ben Jonsson Trophy, Nirvan Nastili was awarded the McDonald Trophy, and National Champion Apprentice Kobeli Lihaba took home the Elevation Trophy. In honor of the Academy’s late teacher, Nicky Armstrong, the Proxime Accessit and Dux awards were presented to Damyan Pillay and Brevan Plaatjies, respectively.
In an exciting announcement, Jacey Botes was named Head Boy for 2025, a significant leadership role that reflects his dedication and commitment to the Academy.
Looking ahead to 2025, the Academy is excited about the future, with new strategic relocations to Gqeberha and Cape Town to offer apprentices more hands-on racing experience and further career development opportunities. The rebranding of the Academy, including a new logo, marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter.
Acknowledging Key Partners
The Academy extended special thanks to the Hollywood Foundation for its ongoing support, including funding 25 full bursaries since 2020. Gratitude was also expressed to the various racing operators and trainers whose contributions play a vital role in the success of the Academy and its apprentices.
Photo credit: Candiese Lenferna Photography
