Mahlangu does wonders in sport

He is a below knee amputee sponsored by the Jumping Kids Prosthetic Fund, and Icexpress Progressive Prosthetics, with the prostheses he needs for sport, as well as day-to-day activities.

“This year I have won two silver medals for 100m and 200m and a gold for long jump at the SASAPD (Sports Association of South Africa for the Physically Disabled) Nedbank National Championships that took place at the University of Johannesburg in April this year.

“I also represented the country at the IWAS (International Wheelchair and Amputee Sport) World Junior Games in Netherlands in July and came home with three silver medals for the 100m, 200m and long jump in my division.

“Next year, I hope to study Sport Science or Law, even though I don’t know how to raise the study fees yet,” he says.

The lad adds that he plans to pursue his goal of representing South Africa at the Paralympic Games, and other international competitions, while he completes his tertiary education.

Jumping Kids Manager, Michael Stevens says the goal is for Mahlangu to get into the University of Stellenbosch, but that it will all depend on his matric results.

“If all goes to plan, Bongani will go to Stellenbosch and become part of MatiesSport where he will train along-side some of the country’s best para-athletes.

“The next thing we are working on is to access funding from the Road Accident Fund (RAF) for which he qualifies. After matric he would not be part of Jumping Kids as a beneficiary, but rather as an ambassador.

“However, we at Jumping Kids will always do our best to assist, facilitate and find him sponsors,” he says.

Stevens adds that as far as tertiary funding and bursaries go, Jumping Kids will do their best to assist, where possible, to make sure that Mahlangu continues to get the best shot to realise his sport and academic dreams.