Special Olympics: We Came, We Saw, We Conquered!

Special Olympics South Africa (SOSA) proudly celebrates the outstanding achievements of its national team at the 2025 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin, Italy. Team South Africa has made history, proving that inclusion, perseverance, and excellence know no bounds.

WIth the Games drawing to a close, our athletes have risen to the occasion, racking up an incredible medal tally that showcases their immense talent on the global stage. The six athletes of Team SA all finish as medallists.

GOLD
Naledi Hlalele (Figure Skating)

SILVER
Bianca Basson (Figure Skating)
Kenneth Mokabo (Figure Skating)
Shane Bentley (Short Track Speed Skating)

BRONZE
Tyrell Sykes (Figure Skating)
Shirnel Swarts (Short Track Speed Skating)

Team SA was proudly supported by African Bank, whose partnership with Special Olympics South Africa has been instrumental in getting the team to Italy to compete on a global stage against over 70 countries. 

Group Executive: Transformation & Sustainability at African Bank, Edna Montse shared, “African Bank is a movement that was birthed out of a need for inclusion. We are proud to partner with Special Olympics South Africa and support Team SA as the bank for the people, by the people, serving the people. We have the audacity to believe in our Special Olympics athletes and back them! 

Representatives from the Northwest Department of Sports, Arts and Culture and Education also traveled in support of the team and as observers as the Province will be hosting the 2026 Special Olympics South Africa National Games.

The SOSA 2025 National Team was also supported by the National Lotteries Commission, Nike South Africa, Converse South Africa, Lahers Silkscreen, Tutone Communications and Gift of the Givers.

The 2025 SOSA National Team send-off event was proudly attended by His Excellency Mahash Saeed AlHameli, UAE Ambassador to the Republic of South Africa; Siphiwe Tshabalala (SA football legend); Fortune Madlala (SABC News Sign Language Interpreter); SOSA ambassadors Desiree Ellis (Head Coach of Banyana Banyana) and Sbu Shongwe (SA TV presenter and DJ); representatives from the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA); Gift of the Givers; our partner African Bank; as well as representatives from the Gauteng Sports Confederation and the Gauteng Office of the Premier.

The SOSA National Team will return to South Africa on Monday 17th March at 9:30am. Please join us at OR Tambo International Airport to cheer them on upon arrival.