Brave Paarl youth off to Rugby World Cup
PAARL resident Qaphela Gobodo is one step closer to making his dream of watching his role model and Springbok captain Siya Kolisi playing live a reality.
The 18-year-old rugby enthusiast will today travel to Japan to watch Kolisi lead his side against Wales in their Rugby World Cup semi-final on Sunday, after the epic battle between New Zealand and England.
This is thanks to Heineken South Africa who interviewed Gobodo after learning of his plight from social media, where a good Samaritan, Nthabeleng Likotsi, raised awareness about his story.
At the age of 15, Gobodo was awarded a scholarship by Hoerskool Garsfontein in Pretoria for his prowess on the rugby field.
However, little did he know that he would be scarred for life, and that his burgeoning career as a rugby player would come to a devastating halt.
In 2016, he was attacked with what he believed was a golf club by three schoolmates while walking to the bathroom.
He said the pupils poured what looked like paraffin or thinners over him and set him alight.
He survived the attack, and after 20 surgeries to repair his third-degree burn wounds, Gobodo is back playing and has also found his calling as a motivational speaker.
“The thought of being abroad gives me goosebumps, especially going for rugby, my true passion. This is a lifetime opportunity that I am truly grateful for because I will witness Kolisi and other great players, playing in front of me. I look up to Kolisi because of his background and how he worked his way up despite challenges he faced.
“If I get a chance to talk to him, I will tell him how much he has motivated me to play again,” said Gobodo.
He said whenever he felt like giving up, his scars were a reminder that he survived his worst battle and pain.
Gobodo said his main goal at the moment was to get back the rugby scholarship he had to forfeit due to the injuries he sustained, so that he can finish his studies.
Millicent Maroga, corporate affairs director at Heineken South Africa, said:
“Qaphela’s story really inspired us; this young man has experienced much adversity, but refuses to give up or let his circumstances get him down.
“He might not be on the field in this Rugby World Cup, but we hope the opportunity to watch his rugby heroes battle it out on the sport’s biggest stage will inspire him to have the courage to pursue his ambitions.
“He will experience everything that makes him so enthusiastic about the sport he has played for most of his young life, despite the many challenges he has encountered in pursuit of his passion.”