Paralympic athlete, 16, gets big donation towards his Mexican dream
David McKlopper, 16, a paralympic athlete and swimming star from Toekies received a R100 000 donation from a sponsor and the local municipality.
Mzi Khumalo, Randfontein’s Executive Mayor, and a generous sponsor recently presented a cheque for R100 000 to David Mcklopper, a 16-year-old Paralympic athlete and swimming star from Toekies.
David, who was born in the Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital in Johannesburg with a condition called Roberts Phocomelia, has been invited to compete in the International Paralympics World championships (IPC) in Mexico City, Mexico soon.
The condition, also known as Roberts Syndrome, is extremely rare. Children who are born with this syndrome have under-developed limbs. He has had to undergo several operations (every second/ third year) to remove parts of the bones which grow through the skin. Despite his disability, he has willpower and a big dream.
Read more: Toekies’ Paralympic star
David’s parents could hardly believe their eyes when they saw the value of the cheque presented to him. David told the Herald that the gift hadn’t sunk in properly yet, but he is very excited for the journey that lies ahead of him.
Khumalo told the Herald that the family had not only approached the municipality to assist David – there was also a message doing the rounds on social media asking the community to help David.
“I see this as an opportunity for a youngster to represent South Africa and our community in Mexico,” said Khumalo.
The sponsor, MaxProf CEO, Jakes Xulu, said that it was a great honour and privilege to provide David with the funds he needed to live out his dream.
“I feel we owe it to people who are less fortunate to assist them. This must also show people that being disabled doesn’t mean being unable to do things,” said Jakes.
David promised to keep the names of both South Africa and the community high in Mexico, and to bring back the gold medal.
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