Last year StandWithStan, a public benefit organisation, arranged for Katleho Seheri to receive her new prosthetic leg in time to join with other amputees and supporters in the StandWithStan team to walk the 5km leg of the Pretoria SPAR Women’s Challenge 2014.

Thanks to SPAR Katleho life has improved in leaps and bounds and she will be taking part in the SPAR Women’s Challenge again this year.

On 29 July 2014 a call came through to Leondale High school from the last people that pupil Katleho Seheri expected to hear from. Jacaranda Good Morning Angels were calling to tell her that SPAR Northrand had sponsored a prosthetic leg for her. Stan Andrews, founder of StandWithStan was waiting on the other end of line to give her the good news.

Katleho’s reaction to the news was beyond words as with one simple call, her life was changed. Katleho was lost for words. “I believe that this will open doors for me and allow me to reach my full potential,” she said bursting with joy.

At the 2014 Pretoria SPAR Women’s Challenge, her classmates, teachers and friends were all at SuperSport Park to cheer her on. By crossing the finish line Katleho celebrated a personal triumph over a long and debilitating illness, agonising pain, gangrene, a below-knee surgical amputation and then having to walk with the aid of crutches for so long.

After crossing the finish line with her hands up in celebration, Katleho was bursting with pride. “The race was great; I had a blast and I appreciate the donation of the prosthetic leg,” said Katleho. “I would like to encourage people who might find themselves in a similar situation to be strong and keep going, because there is light at the end of every tunnel; never give up.”

At the time Katleho said that she would like to study climatology at university, but that her short-term goal was to get back to playing basketball. Katleho is now in her Matric year and

Stan Andrews says that she is succeeding at reaching her goals. “Katleho has received her revised prosthetic and has taken a keen interest in basketball at school. She has just completed her midyear exams and is doing really well. Each day that goes by she walks better and better. She is really happy to have her life back.”

To make this year even more special for Kathelo, SPAR Northrand has handed over a donation of R5000 for Katleho to use for her Matric farewell. This money will make sure that this night is as magical for Kathelo as it would be for any other Matric student and to make sure that she looks and feels beautiful as she dances the night away.