Tatjana Smith (nee Schoenmaker) has gone public with her lawsuit against Swimming South Africa, seeking payment of the interest on her delayed prize money from the 2023 World Championships in Fukuoka, Japan.
The gold-medal champion alleges that the swimming organisation unlawfully withheld her payment and the interest accrued as a “management fee”.
The now 29-year-old – whose sister-in-law is Rachel Kolisi – retired from professional swimming in 2024.
TATJANA SMITH CALLS FOR PRIZE MONEY INTEREST TO BE PAID
This week, Swimming South Africa (SSA) found itself in hot water after two-time Olympic champion Tatjana Smith issued a letter of demand, via her legal representatives, for payment of the interest on her delayed prize money.
The decorated swimmer claims that the swimming body delayed payment of her $35 000 (over R500 000) prize money from the 2023 World Championships for a year. SSA allegedly withheld the prize money on the grounds that Tatjana “wore the wrong kit at the World Championships”, a claim they have since withdrawn.
Although the money was paid in 2024, after the Paris Olympics, when she publicly announced her retirement, SSA withheld the interest.
Operations manager Mafata Modutoane admitted to keeping the interest as a “management fee”.
In her lawsuit, Tatjana Smith, alongside her sports agent husband Joel Smith, are demanding that SSA pay the outstanding interest within 10 days, failing which further legal action could follow.
SSA has responded, stating that it would address Tatjana’s representatives directly.
Tatjana’s lawyer, Wian Spies, told the Daily Maverick: “It’s more of a principle thing. Tatjana and Joel feel that athletes cannot be deprived of receiving their prize money years later, years after they’ve won the medals,
“At least if they pay it late, they should at least then pay some form of interest as well.”
FORMER OLYMPIC SWIMMERS WEIGH IN
Tatjana Smith’s legal bid against Swimming South Africa has received the public endorsement of fellow former Olympic swimmer, Ryk Neethling.
He posted on his X account of the organisation: “Shocking. Didn’t think it was possible for them to stoop any lower, but here we are. Robbing a South African icon at her peak of her hard-earned prize money. The whole Swimming SA executive needs to be replaced with administrators who understand what it takes to perform at the highest levels.
Shocking. Didn’t think it was possible for them to stoop any lower but here we are. Robbing a South African icon at her peak of her hard earned prize money. The whole Swimming SA executive needs to be replaced with administrators that understand what it takes to perform at the… https://t.co/APTDNPXKzE— Ryk Neethling (@RykNeethling) September 1, 2026
Former gold-medallist Roland Schoeman also shared his views, tweeting: “Typical action by SwimSA. They’ve done this before. They’ve done far worse. The entire organisation needs to be dismantled and started fresh”.
Typical action by SwimSA. They’ve done this before. They’ve done far worse. The entire organization needs to be dismantled and started fresh. @WorldAquatics needs a complete intervention. The suspension of 2 people isn’t good enough— Roland Schoeman (@Rolandschoeman) September 1, 2026
