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Behind the scenes with South Africa's inspirational para competitors

Student and teacher putting Limpopo on the map
Para Athletics

Student and teacher putting Limpopo on the map

Masala Makatu won a silver medal at the 2026 Commonwealth Games. The Limpopo T12 sprinter was discovered by and is trained by fellow para athlete Sheryl James.

Gary Lemke
Meet the Blades Doctor
Para Athletics

Meet the Blades Doctor

Inside the work of Johan Snyders — the prosthetist behind Ntando Mahlangu's blades, and the man helping a new generation of South African child amputees walk, run, and dream bigger.

Gary Lemke
The Makings of a Gold Medallist
Para Athletics

The Makings of a Gold Medallist

More than an hour after the Paralympic gold medal was placed around her neck, Simone Kruger was still doing interviews. World champion, world record holder, Paralympic champion — at nineteen. This is the story of how she got here.

6 September 2024Gary Lemke
Jordaan's Journey of Faith and Support
Boccia

Jordaan's Journey of Faith and Support

The Paralympic logo is painted on her left ring fingernail. On her right, the South African flag. On her left wrist, a black band reading: 'I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.' This is Elanza Jordaan.

5 September 2024Gary Lemke
From Peddie to Paris for Lamani
Para Judo

From Peddie to Paris for Lamani

Peddie, population 4,658. Rural Eastern Cape. There are 86 percent isiXhosa speakers, 98 percent of the people are Black Africans. And then there is Ndyebo Lamani — one of a kind, and a Paralympian.

4 September 2024Gary Lemke
'If I don't laugh, I'd cry'
Para Swimming

'If I don't laugh, I'd cry'

Yellow fingernails, a labrador named Gatsby, and a swimmer reclassified from S13 to S12 — Alani Ferreira on humour, sight, and the bright side.

22 August 2024Gary Lemke
Why Kat Has Chosen to 'Live Life'
Para Swimming

Why Kat Has Chosen to 'Live Life'

When Kat Swanepoel speaks about life-changing events she refers to them as 'bumps in the road'. She chronicles the effects of degenerative multiple sclerosis and then punctuates it with a positive. The word 'inspirational' is too soft. This is the story of a South African superwoman.

30 August 2021Gary Lemke
Laughter Lights Up Paralympics
Para Athletics

Laughter Lights Up Paralympics

Gary Lemke attended the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics as part of Team SA. Here he takes us behind the scenes into the world of the athletes village.

Gary Lemke