Moekie Grobbelaar’s place is empty in the hearts of Cullinan
She championed the needs of residents, especially young athletes, and worked tirelessly to improve basic services.
Moekie Grobbelaar, though modest in stature, made a towering impact on sport and community service. Her passing at the age of 66 was deeply felt by both the South African sporting world and the people of Cullinan and Ward 100 in Tshwane, where she was a dedicated city official.
Originally from Rehoboth, Namibia, Grobbelaar was one of five daughters. An accident in her early childhood left her paralysed before she turned two. Undeterred, she discovered a passion for athletics at the age of 12 and completed her schooling at Elizabeth Conradie School in Kimberley.
Her competitive journey began in earnest in the early 1980s.
In 1982, she earned provincial honours in track and field, competing in wheelchair racing and field events. The following year, she represented South Africa at the Stoke Mandeville Games in the UK, the forerunner of today’s Paralympic Games, setting world records in the 200m and 800m races.
Despite South Africa’s exclusion from international sport in 1985, she continued to train and compete, achieving a world best in the marathon by 1987.
ALSO CHECK: SAPS launches e-Recruitment drive for 5 500 aspiring police officers
When South Africa rejoined global sport in the 1990s, Grobbelaar made her mark again, securing silver in discus and bronze in javelin at the 1998 World Championships.
She also turned her focus to powerlifting, where she achieved significant success. Between 1993 and 1997, she held the world record in her weight class and was honoured with the prestigious ‘champ of champs’ title at the IPF Powerlifting World Championships in 1997.
At the 2000 Sydney Paralympics, she received a bronze medal in powerlifting. Her talents extended beyond athletics and powerlifting. She was an accomplished dancer, winning the FIDANSA World Championships in ballroom and Latin dance in 2004.
Balancing her competitive career with leadership roles, Grobbelaar made significant contributions as an administrator and advocate. She served as the national powerlifting convenor in 1994, joined the executive committee of the South African Sports Association for the Physically Disabled (SASAPD) in 2011, and was elected president of the organisation in 2015. By 2020, she had taken on a national leadership role with SASCOC, leading their disability sport and classification portfolio.
Beyond sport, Grobbelaar was a beloved community leader in Ward 100, where she was widely regarded as a mother figure. She championed the needs of residents, especially young athletes, and worked tirelessly to improve basic services.
ALSO CHECK: eMbalenhle community outraged over auction of crime-fighting bicycles donated by Sasol
One of her most cherished initiatives was the vision for Cullinan Library Park to become a vibrant green space and educational hub. According to Ward 100 councillor Johannes Bekker, the park represented her belief in access, opportunity, and hope for the youth.
“To her, it was more than a park. It was a dream of a better future,” he said.
Bekker described Grobbelaar as more than a public servant.
“She was a mentor and a source of strength for the community. Moekie showed up for everyone, whether cheering on a young athlete or comforting a struggling resident. Her love for this community was unwavering,” he said.
Her legacy, he added, will be honoured by continuing the work she began, including the completion of the library park, which will bear her name as a lasting tribute to her tireless efforts and enduring spirit.
