It seems like just yesterday when we were screaming and shouting and doing a happy dance in celebration of our golden girl, Tatjana Schoenmaker.
The 24-year-old swimming sensation swept the nation after she won South Africa’s first and only gold medal at the Olympic Games, and also set a new world record time of 2:18.95 in the 200m breaststroke final in July.
In addition, she claimed a shiny silver medal in the women’s 100m breaststroke in Tokyo.
This is for you, South Africa ??❤️
? @AntonGeyser #TeamSA pic.twitter.com/x2yluw3dbb
— Team South Africa (@TeamSA2020) July 30, 2021
But just after the thrilling Olympic Games ended, reports started doing the rounds, stating that SASCOC (South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee) might not award performance bonuses to the athletes who had earned medals. Needless to say, South Africans were outraged.
Businesses joined forces while people from all walks of life came together to crowdfund for the medallists (Schoenmaker and Bianca Buitendag). The money poured out with love and nearly reached R1 million in merely three days.
The report was later rectified after SASCOC president, Barry Hendricks issued a statement saying that reports were “wide [off] the mark,” further stating that “It is true that the amounts have not been finalised given that the negotiations are ongoing. However, there has never been a point whereby a decision has been made to not offer medallists incentives.
“We have been consistent in saying that we are in negotiations with partners over the issue of financial rewards to medallists at both the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympics.
“We did not want the issue of financial incentives to distract from the performances of the athletes at both Games,” he said.
Schoenmaker, who was grateful for the support and generosity shown by her fellow South Africans, used her portion to launch a foundation aimed at helping the people of our country.
She took to Twitter to give a huge shoutout to “the amazing people of South Africa”.
I was blessed financially by the amazing people of South Africa through crowdfunding and want to now use this to bless others too, through my foundation! ?? pic.twitter.com/c7t9ofR1bv
— Tatjana Schoenmaker (@TRSchoenmaker) October 25, 2021
She launched her foundation at a small event where she was joined by those who have walked alongside her on this memorable journey.
“Finally launched! I hope that the foundation will be a shining light, a blessing to others just as I have been blessed and most importantly a God centred foundation (hence the middle ‘t’ being a cross),” Schoenmaker said.
-TATJANA FOUNDATION-
Finally launched! I hope that the foundation will be a shining light, a blessing to others just as I have been blessed and most importantly a God centred foundation (hence the middle ‘t’ being a cross) ??? pic.twitter.com/qIUWlvPQFX
— Tatjana Schoenmaker (@TRSchoenmaker) October 25, 2021
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Picture: Twitter/ @TRSchoenmaker