Proud athlete pays tribute to adopted family
"Through this article, I hope he will know how much I appreciate having him and his family in my life."
Growing up in a poverty-stricken family, Siphamandla Moloi (25), from Overdale Farm, Dundee, found strength in running. Running has kept Siphamandla on an even keel. It’s a spiritual journey that he takes everytime he goes running. He ran in order to forget about his family problems and he ran to avoid using drugs like most kids in his area. Siphamandla started running when he was only nine years at primary school. “I ran during sports at school and I have never looked back ever since,” said Siphamandla.
His journey would have never been a success without the help and support of his grandmother and the Shawe family. Mandy and Lionel Shawe were his backbone. “Mr Lionel put me through school. He used to give me transport money and paid for all my trips at school. I could never thank him and his family enough,” cited Siphamandla.
Siphamandla met Lionel in 2011 and started working for him at his home doing manual labour. Lionel saw Siphamandla’s interest in athletics and decided to assist him financially and emotionally. “The Shawe family treated me as one of them. They never turned their backs on me and for that, I will always be grateful,” said Siphamandla, “He has been the father I never had and I greatly respect him.
“Through this article, I hope he will know how much I appreciate having him and his family in my life.”
Siphamandla has a few medals under his belt that he is very proud of: three silver medals, one from Umzinyathi, one from a Youth Run that took place in Durban and his proudest medal was earned in the Mandela Marathon in which he participated in Pietermaritzburg last August. Siphamandla has also won a bronze medal in the National South African School Athletics Cross Country in 2011.
Siphamandla matriculated last year at Thalani Combined School, but he is currently rewriting some of his subjects to better his marks. “I’m currently unemployed and seeking employment as I would love to study towards becoming a traffic cop or a social worker,” explained Siphamandla.
He would like to see the youth stop using drugs and alcohol and rather focus their energies on pursuing their dreams, no matter how difficult they may seem.
“No dream is unreachable no matter the circumstances you may be facing today,” advised Siphamandla.
Lastly, Siphamandla also thanked his grandmother who has been with him through thick and thin. “Ngiyabonga gogo ungifundise inhloniphowangeseka futhi ngalokho ngiyohlezi ngikubonga,” says Siphamandla.
(Thank you gogo, you taught me to respect and you always supported me and for that I’m grateful).
He also thanked his long-term girlfriend Nosipho Malevu as she has also been his pillar of strength.
