Calisthenics sensation Katlego Mafotsa is going above and beyond to shine the spotlight on the sporting code, as she says it is a great way to gain physical and mental strength.
Hailing from Brits in the North West, Mafotsa developed a passion for Calisthenics during the Covid-19 pandemic when fitness centres across the country were closed in 2020.
Two years later, Mafotsa went on to become the 2022 South African Calisthenics Champion and the first black woman to represent the country at the World Calisthenics Championships in Latvia.
Apart from Calisthenics, Mafotsa is also a pole dancer and yoga instructor.
Speaking with Rudene Hare, Mafotsa chats about the upcoming National Pole and Aerial Championships and shares a message to corporates to back Calisthenics.
Katlego, thank you for chatting to us here at gsport. Can you please tell us more about yourself?
Thank you for this opportunity, Rudene. As you mentioned, my name is Katlego. I grew up in Brits, a small town in the North West. I have always liked being physically active from a young age but I however was not afforded the opportunity to take part in sport as my school did not have any sporting extra murals and neither was there anything in the village I grew up in. I moved to Johannesburg after matric to further my studies at the University of Johannesburg.
You are the first black woman who competed at the World Calisthenic Championships in Latvia. Firstly, what is Calisthenics?
Calisthenics is body weight training where one uses their own body as resistance to build strength and build muscles. The skills that one attains when doing Calisthenics show how much more the body is capable of.
When did you draw interest into Calisthenics?
I learned about Calisthenics in 2020 during the (Covid-19) pandemic as I was looking for ways to build strength and gain muscles at home because all the fitness facilities were closed at that time.
We believe you are also a yoga and pole dance instructor. When did the love for both start?
Funny story, I fell in love with pole dancing when I saw pole dancers on Rihanna’s Pour it Up music video back in 2013. I was still in varsity at the time and I promised that I would take up pole dancing sometime in the future. It wasn’t until 2019 when I saw a Pole dance studio flyer in New York that I was reminded of the promise I once made to myself. I signed up for a few classes in the Bronx and I never looked back since. I must say, I had no idea how much of a strong practice pole dance is. I also love how it has taught me to appreciate my body for what it can do as opposed to what it looks like. I have since fallen in love with my body with its flaws and it is for this reason that I would like to have more women try pole.
I started practicing yoga more consistently in 2020 during lockdown. I thought it would compliment my strength training but I had no idea that it would teach me to become more aware of my body and how it moves and how introspective it was. The more I practiced, the more I fell in love with it and I promised myself that I will one day become a yoga instructor so I can share this amazing practice with more people. I just completed my yoga teacher training in March 2023 in India and I am excited to start teaching.
When it comes to your training, how often do you have your sessions?
On average, I would say I train about 4 to 6 times a week
What message do you have for corporate giants to help with the development of Calisthenics?
Calisthenics is a great way to gain physical and mental strength. I think more awareness needs to be created about Calisthenics as it is a great alternative to traditional gym. It also shows how wellness as fitness can be (as it should be) for everyone and not for those who can afford to go to the gym. And I think one of the best ways to do so is to build Calisthenics rigs (i.e. pull-up and parallel dip bars) in public parks.
And, what do you think can be done to close the visibility gap in women’s sport?
For gsport to continue with the work that you are doing and not lose heart. Furthermore, we need more exposure so that more people are aware of the different sports and that women are also doing very well in the sports field. More sponsorship from corporate giants and the government.
When is your next competition?
I am currently training for the National Pole and Aerial Championship (NPAC 2023) hosted by the South African Pole Sports Federation (SAPSF) on the 6th and 7th May 2023. This year there are a total of 85 athletes competing across Pole Sport, Para Pole, Ultra Pole, Artistic Pole,
Aerial Hoop Sport, and Artistic Aerial Hoop divisions. This year is the largest competition yet. Athletes represent all levels, ages, genders, and abilities in pole and aerial from across South Africa.
Lastly, how can people get involved in your classes?
I am based in Johannesburg and people can send me a direct message on instagram @katli_907
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