Athletes going for gold at Paralympics
SOUTH AFRICA’S Paralympians are ready for anything the Games might throw at them. Aiming to bring home no fewer than 20 medals, eight of them gold, South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc) chief executive Tubby Reddy said the 45 athletes were ready to showcase their talents.
Zanele Situ is the country’s official flagbearer. “She is one of the most decorated Paralympians and has raised the profile of black female Paralympians over the years,” Reddy said. Western Cape Cultural Affairs and Sport MEC Anroux Marais will be in Rio to support the athletes.
“I’m elated that our national flagbearer, Zanele Situ, calls the Western Cape home, as well as the other 17 athletes who make up 40 percent of Team SA, because they have and will continue to be the leading examples to our youth,” Marais said.
Western Province Association for the Physically Disabled and Visually Impaired executive Vivienne Hamman said Situ was a great ambassador for sport. She is also proud of Mpumelelo Mhlongo, Goldy Fuchs, Reinhardt Hamman and Justine Asher, taking part in the Games for the first time.
The Games start on September 7.