By Doreen Mokgolo
- Two world-class athletes from Ekurhuleni can’t afford to travel to competitions or buy proper training equipment.
- The city says it’s struggling to help because residents aren’t paying their bills.
A plea for help with better training facilities by two of South Africa’s top athletes appeared to be falling on deaf ears as their municipality said they had no money.
The two Ekurhuleni-based competitive athletes are training in a broken-down gym and sometimes miss competitions because they can’t afford to travel.
World champion Mpumelelo Tshabalala and Olympic silver medallist Bayanda Walaza begged Ekurhuleni mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza for help at a ceremony in Germiston on Thursday.
But Ekurhuleni Council speaker Nthabiseng Tshivhenga said the city is struggling because many people aren’t paying their bills.
She said there were various programmes that the municipality had rolled out to raise funds.
“During the latest Mayor’s golf challenge we were raising money for bursaries,” she said.
“I don’t have sponsors for travelling, supplements and the gym that I use is in a poor state and lacks equipment. I sometimes fail to attend matches because of the lack of finances,” said Tshabalala, who must defend his IOB world title in Japan next year.
Despite training in tough conditions, Tshabalala promises to keep fighting for South Africa.
“Though I train in unfavourable conditions I will still push myself to represent the country internationally and bring back the accolades,” he said.
Walaza, who won silver in the 4x100m relay at the Paris Olympics, hopes the city will keep its promises.
“They promised to help us find funders and will see how they can support us. We needed this assurance as we are not only doing this for us but for the country,” he said.
The ceremony also honoured police sergeant Keshi Mabunda, who cracked the case of killer cop Nomia Rosemary Ndlovu. She murdered her family members to collect insurance money.
The athletes appealed to Sports Minister Gayton Mackenzie to step in and help them.
Pictured above: Ekurhuleni mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza with the celebrated sports champions.
Source: Doreen Mokgolo
