Rustenburg – A 19-year-old Goitsemodimo Mosepele will be representing South Africa during the Special Olympics Games to be held in Berlin, Germany.
The games are taking place from 18 – 26 June 2023.
Mosepele is taking part in the 25m freestyle and 25m backstroke swimming categories.
He is a learner at Iteko Special School in Tlhabane, Rustenburg is from a disadvantaged family.
Both his parents are pensioners.
The school and the family are appealing for assistance with items that he will need to make it to the most prestigious world competition.
Speaking to The Bulrushes the swimmer said: I am so happy to be part of the Olympic Games representing my country.
“I started taking swimming seriously when I was 17 years old. I learned to swim while I was a young boy, and together with my peers we would go to the river in our village to swim.
Mosepele was born and bred in Mosenthal village, outside Rustenburg in North West province.
Mosepele continued that he is also a soccer player, but he started to concentrate more on swimming after he realized that he can save the lives of people who cannot swim.
It took a lot of dedication, hard work, and training for Mosepele to achieve his dream of being the best in the swimming sport and aims to be a professional in the future.
He is the first learner to represent Iteko Special School at international games since it was established in 1986.
Mosepeles swimming talent was spotted by her teacher-coach Conny Sekete during one of the schoolboy scout camping programmes.
During one of the December summer camping programme, after they went hiking, the boys would cool off the heat by swimming. Thats when I spotted his talent as a swimmer, said Sekete.
Sekete continued that Mosepele has achieved a lot in a short space of time through his dedication.
In the 2022 National Swimming games held in Polokwane, he won two gold medals in the Special Olympics South Africa in both strokes, freestyle, and backstroke.
“Also, this year, (2023), he won two gold medals on both strokes during the South African School Association for Intellectually Impaired (SASA II).
Sekete revealed that Mosepele’s achievements are the results of their hard work at the training sessions they undergo Monday to Thursday between 11:00 and 13:00 without fail.
The dedicated coach said they would appreciate any form of donations to help Mosepele to make his dream reality to win medals at the Worlds Special Olympic Games in Berlin.
We are appealing to anyone who can assist with clothes, toiletries, pocket money, swimming gear such as goggles, cap, towel, flip flops, and any other things he will need.
Goitsemodimos father Nkagisang Mosepele says they are proud of what their son has achieved.
With the little money that we have as a family, we supported his dream of being a professional swimmer and we are very proud of his achievement so far, said proud dad, Mosepele.
Well-wishers wanting to make donations can contact: principal@itekospecialschool.co.za or admin@itekospecialschool.co.za. Alternatively, phone (014) 565-3691 or 083 874 8767 or contact Coach Conny Seleke at 082 557 8007.
