Young beauty queen helps kickboxer reach his dream

SPORT NEWS - When a team of five young kickboxers from Pacaltsdorp boarded their flight to England this week, one of them, Tyler Pieterse, had an extra reason to smile.

Thanks to the generosity of 13-year-old Jade Joy Swartz, a local Miss Teen Universe South Africa finalist, a portion of his flight was all paid up.

The group, trained by Carl Brink of Pacaltsdorp Kickboxing Club, left George early on Monday, 13 October, on their way to the WKA (World Kickboxing Association) World Championships in Sheffield, England.

They are Jayden Barends (10), Waylon Malgas (14), Tyler Pieterse (12), Leah-Grace Gericke (13) and Linwin Pedro (14).

Brink's group was joined by another group from George, coached by Sors Grobbelaar. Together they will join the other South African athletes representing the country at the international event, which runs from 16 to 19 October.

For Tyler, the journey almost ended before it began. His family couldn’t afford the full travel costs, until Jade stepped in. Using money she had earned from selling nail polish, she bought Tyler’s flight ticket from George to OR Tambo International Airport, ensuring he could travel with the team.

Tyler Pieterse (right) receives the donation for his plane ticket from Jade Joy Swartz (13).

"Jade said she feels it’s her duty to inspire others to do good and to help where she can," said her mother, Marilyn Swartz. "She was so excited to see the boys off before school on Monday morning."

Jade, a Grade 7 learner at Outeniqua Primary School, recently received the news that she is one of 50 finalists in the Miss Teen Universe South Africa 2026 competition, set to take place in Polokwane next March. Despite her own busy schedule, she made time to help someone else reach their dream.

For Tyler and his parents, that simple act of kindness means the world. "We have had a lot of help from different places, but Jade's plane ticket was heaven sent. It came at just the right time," said Aretha Pieterse, Tyler's mom.

Carl Brink and Sors Grobbelaar with their teams and a supporter at George Airport, before they left for Johannesburg on Monday 13 October.