South African athlete and Africa high-jump record holder Hestrie Cloete is born in Germiston, Transvaal

Hestrie Cloete was born in Germiston, Transvaal (now Gauteng) on 26 August 1978. She began high jumping at the age of 13 when she was discovered by her coach Martin Marx. From 1995 Cloete enjoyed success in athletics; taking gold year after year at the All Africa Games, African Championships in athletics, Commonwealth Games and The World Cup in Athletics.  Cloete took part in the 2000 and 2004 Olympic Games and won silver both times. She retired after the 2004 Athens Summer Olympics. Cloete currently lives in New Zealand with her singer husband Jurie Els and daughter.