Maphumulo athlete shines at provincial disability games – Stanger

The provincial disability games held at the Stanger High School Grounds on Saturday last week brought joy to thousands of disabled people across the province.

EThekwini Metro were victorious overall, Amajuba in second, with Umgungundlovu in third, Ilembe in fourth and Zululand fifth.

Athletes competed in athletics, wheelchair basketball, chess, football, goal ball, mlabalaba, netball and table tennis.

Among those who felt the thrill of competitive sport was Thulani ‘Bolt’ Simelane (41) who took the 3rd place in the wheelchair 400m race.

The Maphumulo resident used to work as a driver for a KwaDukuza bakery until he suffered a stroke that left him unable to walk in 2008.

The determined man refused to give up on life despite his crippled state.

He said that while he had accepted his condition he would not accept the limitations that others placed on him.

Simelane first took his wheelchair onto the racetrack this year in preparation of the regional selections.

“It was an absolute pleasure for me to be part of the games. Although I wish I had a sports wheelchair. I believe I could have done better,” he said.

The speed addict is unemployed and made do with his very ordinary wheelchair for the games.

In the regional selections for the games that were held at Stanger High School grounds last month, the 41-year-old smashed his competition to take first place.

“I will now train at least three times a week because I believe I have the potential to be really fast.”

But he said that although he enjoys sports, he wished he could have a job so that he could take care of his daughter.

“The fact that I am in a wheelchair does not mean I cannot work. There are lots of things that I can do with my hands.

“There is a lot that needs to be done, in terms of catering for people living with disabilities, especially in the Ilembe region,” said Simelane.

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