Disabled man from Charl Cilliers wants a career in sports

CHARL CILLIERS – Sphiwe Magagula is one of the many 2020 matric learners who passed their national exams and now dreams of a great future ahead.

Being born without legs does not stop this active and fit 24-year-old from dreaming to study sport management and perhaps one day manage a national team.

“I know I am older than the herd, but I was only admitted to school at the age of nine,” explained Sphiwe.

His mother and grandmother struggled to find a school that would accept his disability.

“I am physically disabled, not mentally. Schools in the townships are not equipped to take on a child in a wheelchair,” he said.

He eventually found a school at Thuthuka and he travelled per bus to and from school.

Sphiwe attended primary school, and later high school at Sikhetheleni Secondary School.

“I was not very happy in the beginning because everyone was different and although I love soccer, I could not play.

“I later joined in the game and used my hands as legs.

“I noticed my ability to manage and coach a team which I did until the end of Grade 11. The last year I focused on completing matric,” Sphiwe explained.

Education also had its challenges for Sphiwe.

“I was also shy and did not want to ask anything in class, but I eventually realised that my future depends on my education,” Sphiwe said.

This determined young man ended up living on his own close to the school during his senior years and only went home at weekends.

He passed matric with English, Zulu, life orientation, geography, life science, physical science and math literacy as subjects.

Although he has his matric certificate, he is not happy with his marks in life science, physical science and maths.

“I definitely have to better these before I can kindle any hope of finding a scholarship to a tertiary institution. For this to happen, I really need the help of a tutor.”

There is no other way that Sphiwe can study further other than with a scholarship, because the Magagula-family is impoverished with no money for a tutor or luxuries.

He was born on a farm in the Charl Cilliers district and was still small when his mother died. His grandmother, Ms Selina Magagula, raised Sphiwe, his older sister and younger brother in her small house at Charl Cilliers.

“I was not treated any different from the rest of the kids in the house.

“My granny is very strict. I also have to help with the household chores. I sweep, do laundry, cook – everything an abled bodied person can do,” he explained.

As a child he received his first wheelchair from the hospital in Standerton.

The MEC for education donated a wheelchair to Sphiwe last year for which the young man is very thankful.

The wheelchair comes in handy when he has to cover long distances.

Even with the wheelchair, it is not always easy to travel over the rugged terrain and he does get tired when having to travel far.

Sphiwe also yearns to be exposed to sport for disabled people.

“I love sport. I am very fit and strong and I long to be part of a sport in which I can be accepted. I know I have potential, I just need a chance,” he explained.

He is also an avid singer and loves to sing in church.

Const Millicent Mqoco, spokesman for the Charl Cilliers Police, is involved in social crime prevention in her area.

She is inspired by Sphiwe and wants to help him achieve his goals.

“We have many high school drop-outs at Charl Cilliers and alcohol is a big problem for us. Sphiwe is an example to these youngsters. He worked hard to succeed, he does not play around.”

She is asking the community for help to realise Sphiwe’s dreams.

“If anyone is willing to tutor Sphiwe in the subjects he has to improve, we will be grateful.

“We also plead with anyone who has an electric wheelchair to donate or who can contribute towards such, to contact me.”

Contact Const Mqoco at 079 716 6835.