Limpopo athlete books spot at nationals in Western Cape
Phethani Mabala says she is satisfied with her performance and felt that she represented her people very well.
LIMPOPO – A Gr 11 learner at Vhulaudzi High School in Tshitavha, Phethani Mabala (19) from Phadzima Madzhadzhani says she felt honoured to carry the pride of the province on her shoulders when she beat her counterparts in the 5 000m and 3 000m during the provincial schools athletics meeting.
She won all the district elimination rounds held at Louis Trichardt High School, and a provincial competition which was held at the Oscar Mphetha Stadium on March 8 to book her place in the national competition to be held next month.
“This is a dream come true, since I have competed with the best crop of athletes from secondary schools across the whole province. I am satisfied with my performance and felt that I have represented my people very well. The competitions were tough and it is a great honour to be counted among the best 10 in the country. I never thought a rural girl like me would one day go places through athletics.”
Phethani says she started running when she was still at primary school.
“I always won and realised I had received a special gift from God. Since then, I have never looked back and my plan is to be one of the best athletes South Africa has ever produced.”
Phethani, however, does not have a sponsor and her family struggles to make ends meet.
“My family’s poor financial status will not stop me from realising my potential. I request community members to assist me financially, because I don’t even have proper training and competition gear. I also want to belong to a club, but I do not know which channels to follow.”
She promised that she is going to come back with gold medals from the national championships in the Western Cape next month.
She would also like to thank her trainer, Norah Mudzielwana for her guidance.
