Toekies athlete aiming for the USA

Themba Dlamini, a 20-year-old long-distance runner from Toekies is hoping to reach great heights overseas.

Themba’s passion for running started at the age of 10 when he attended Hartzstraat Primary School in Toekomsrus.

Themba received a five-year scholarship from Hoërskool Noordheuwel to further his athletics career and was fortunate enough to get a partial scholarship at Highland Community College in Kansas in the USA, but he needs help to achieve his dreams.

This is a great honour and it shows that consistent hard work is never in vain,” said Themba.

But due to financial difficulties he needs help to pay for his visa, flights and miscellaneous items to get to the United States to start his studies and training in 2022.

He also needs to pay Sevis (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) fees. This US Department of Homeland Security programme ensures that the US government has essential data related to nonimmigrant students and exchange visitors to preserve national security.

“This opportunity will change my life. Considering where I live and being raised by a single parent after my dad’s passing, opportunities like these are rare, and I want to live my dreams of studying abroad and furthering my athletics career to the fullest.”

Themba is appealing to the community to help him reach his goal and bring him one step closer to making his dreams a reality. Any contribution will be highly appreciated.

I want to show that no matter where you come from – even from a community like mine with few opportunities where young children are doing drugs – you can still achieve your goals.

“I like physical activity like athletics because my body is better at doing stuff than my brain. I have a passion for it and I am willing to work hard.”

He said athletics is part of his life, comparing it to a drug he needs to take every day. There is not a day that passes that he doesn’t train. He is an exceptional athlete who maintains top results and physical fitness at all times.

His achievements are as follows:

• A member of the D2 West athletics/ cross country team for five years
• A member of the Gauteng Athletics team for five years
• A member of the Hoërskool Noordheuwel Inter-high team for five years
• Participating in cross country for five years

His goals are to make it into the South African Olympics team, and hopefully give back to his community.

To help Themba reach his goals, you can visit his BackABuddy page here