Ronald ready for the SA Championship

The lack of sponsorship seems to be a real challenge and even poses a serious threat to the talent of many athletes in rural areas.

An athlete who refuses to be let down by a lack of financial support is the 25-year-old Ronald Khangala, who hails from Muduluni village in the Kutama area. He surprised many observers when he won the Cape Gate Vaal Marathon in 2014.

“I have always tried my best to perform well,” he said. “But a lack of funds has been a problem to me and my career. I need funds to enable me to buy sportswear, bags, and transport and accommodation fares.”

On 4 January, he came second in the Bay-to-Bay 30 km road race from Camps Bay to Hout Bay. He had already participated in the famous Two Oceans Marathon and the Nguni Grill road race. He hopes to participate in more races and marathons and to perform well during these events.

He has been a proud member of the Soutpansberg Athletics Club since 2008. “I train at the club on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays,” he said. “I thank the club for motivating me, giving me training instructions and all the support.”

On 7 February, he will participate in the South African Championships in Stellenbosch. Individuals or companies who are prepared to sponsor him can phone him on 079 336 1531.

Date:30 January 2015

By: Tshifhiwa Mukwevho

Tshifhiwa Given Mukwevho was born in 1984 in Madombidzha village, not far from Louis Trichardt in the Limpopo Province. After submitting articles for roughly a year for Limpopo Mirror's youth supplement, Makoya, he started writing for the main newspaper. He is a prolific writer who published his first book, titled A Traumatic Revenge in 2011. It focusses on life on the street and how to survive amidst poverty. His second book titled The Violent Gestures of Life was published in 2014.

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