Beating the odds to represent SA

Maria Matlala and Themba Sibiya sat on a horse for the first time in 2013.

Both Matlala and Sibiya were born with intellectual disabilities and were also born into poverty. They were members of the Bona Lesedi Day Care Centre in Diepsloot which specialises in the care of people with intellectual disabilities.

However, their lives took an unexpected turn when they joined the therapeutic riding programme at Shumbashaba-Horses Helping People, located on Mnandi Road just outside Diepsloot.

Not only did they get the opportunity to develop physical fitness, improve motor skills and heighten their self-confidence through riding, but they also achieved something far beyond their wildest dreams – to represent South Africa in equestrian sport at the Special Olympics World Summer Games 2015.

According to Jacky du Plessis of Shumbashaba, meeting and learning to ride horses has equipped Matlala and Sibiya with the necessary horsemanship skills, and provided them with the opportunity to participate in sporting events co-hosted by Shumbashaba and Special Olympics SA. The two organisations share the same belief that people with intellectual disabilities can benefit from participation in individual and team sport.

Matlala and Sibiya participated in the Unified Sports Day held by Special Olympics SA and Shumbashaba last year, after which they were selected to represent South Africa at the games. The two will join more than 7 000 Special Olympics athletes from 170 nations who will compete in 21 Olympic-type sports.

At a ceremony held at Shumbashaba to honour Matlala and Sibiya, the riders were presented with new riding habits by Horse and Country.

Special Olympics SA is still looking for funding to allow Matlala and Sibiya to fly to Los Angeles in July, and are appealing to the public for assistance in this regard. They need to raise R2.3 million in total.

Details: zanele@specialolympics.org.za; www.facebook.com/SpecialOlympicsSouthAfrica