On Signs Teenage Sprinter Mukona Manavhela as Swiss Brand Doubles Down on South Africa

Mukona "Smiley" Manavhela | Image by On

On has added South African sprinter Mukona "Smiley" Manavhela to its global athlete roster, the Swiss brand's second track and field signing in the country following 400m runner Lythe Pillay in March. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Manavhela, 17, is a triple gold medallist from the 2025 CAA African U18 & U20 Championships, where he swept the 100m, 200m and medley relay titles. He has lowered his personal bests to 10.14 seconds over 100m and 20.45 over 200m, and trains at Curro Hazeldean under coach Thabo Matebedi - a school-based programme that has become one of South Africa's more productive sprint pipelines.

Commercial Impact

The signing is less about immediate performance return than about acquisition cost. Manavhela has not yet competed at a senior global championship. Signing him now, at 17, secures a relationship at a fraction of what a senior medallist commands - and locks in a brand association before Nike, Adidas, Puma or any other top brand can move. The athlete's own framing reflects that timing.

"I chose On because it feels like a brand that matches where I'm going, not just where I am," Manavhela said. "It's innovative, performance-driven, and focused on progress. I want to be part of something that pushes boundaries in sport, and On represents that mindset for me."

On's athlete manager, Silja Mühlebach, leaned on the same forward-looking case.

"Mukona's explosive speed and his triple continental titles speak volumes about his natural talent, but it is his intentional mindset that makes him an extraordinary addition to the On family," Mühlebach said. "His journey of choosing his own path, overcoming adversity on the track, and dedicating himself to relentless progress aligns perfectly with our ethos."

Mühlebach used near-identical language when On announced Pillay in March, describing that partnership as a step toward growing the brand's roster of elite sprinters in Africa. Two signings in three months suggests the phrasing was operational, not decorative.

On is becoming a challenger brand, in a category where Nike and adidas hold entrenched federation and athlete contracts - talent development is one of the few available entry points. Established stars are expensive and largely committed. Emerging ones are neither.

The continental read

South Africa's sprint depth has thickened considerably in the post-Van Niekerk era, but the commercial infrastructure around it remains thin. Most rising athletes rely on federation support and prize money rather than direct brand contracts. That gap is precisely what makes the market attractive to a brand willing to underwrite athletes early.

The open question is whether On builds on the athlete roster with the layers that usually follow - retail presence, federation partnerships, product localisation - or whether the Africa strategy remains a roster line item. The Pillay and Manavhela partnership establishes credibility, however what comes next establishes commitment.

Source: On