Drive to empowerment for young karters in Mtubatuba
'THEY are not less talented, they are less exposed.'
This is the motto that drives the founders of local NPO, Big 5, which is introducing motorsport to underprivileged children.
For the past year, five boys from KwaKwiliza have received go-kart race training to 'sharpen their raw talent'.
Nhlanhla Ndlela, co-founder of Big 5, said the youngsters had walked barefoot from afar to Mtuba Go-Karting just to watch others enjoy the recreational kart racing at the KwaKwiliza establishment.
'When I saw them, I realised they longed to be behind the kart steering wheel but could not afford to pay, so I had the idea to let them drive for free,' Ndlela said.
'I immediately saw they had raw talent and, with training, that could be sharpened.'
Ndlela said these youngsters had, so far, only been exposed to makeshift go-karts and this chance would open up unimaginable possibilities for them.
'This aligns with Big 5's goals of making all available developmental programmes inclusive and accessible to all, no matter where they are located,' Ndlela said.
Another Big 5 co-founder and founder of Mtuba Go-Karting, Njabulo Mngadi, said it seemed a natural fit that the youth receive free training at the facility.
'The resources were already there, they were ready for these children who come from less privileged homes,' Mngadi said.
The NPO intends to broaden its scope in the coming years and provide training to children aged nine to 16 from Mtubatuba, Hlabisa, Hluhluwe and surrounding areas.
'Karting could be the road that leads to MotoGP or F1 - the opportunities are endless! It gives a driver the fundamentals for these major sports and competitions like Rotax South African Kart Championships,' Ndlela said.
The weekend training provides the five boys with basic mechanical and driving skills, handeye co-ordination, as well as instruction in management, ethics and discipline.
'We also have ambitions of starting our own local championship but that is something that is in the long run,' Ndlela said.
Anyone wanting to assist Big 5 and its drivers can contact Ndlela on 083 4866842 or Mngadi on 078 0352647.