Help needed to make Fana’s Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games dreams come true

He has been training as best he can, but without financial backing Puseletso (Fana) Mbote’s dream of representing South Africa at next year’s Summer Paralympics in Tokyo, Japan will not come true.

Ever so often a truly amazing and inspiring story emerges from the depths of a rural community and this is a case in point for the 13-year-old Jameson Park athlete.

“Fana’s needs are twofold: firstly he needs a local trainer who will not shy away from any effort in preparing him physically and emotionally for next year’s Tokyo Games and secondly, he will be needing money for flights and accommodation when the time comes,” his sister Motshidisi explained.

His first real exposure of the grand stage was in 2017 when he competed in the International Open Para Athletics in Dubai where he won silver, breaking a world record in the u/17 event even though he was just 12 years old at the time. Later that year he again represented his country in Portugal and this only increased his yearning to become the best.

His positive mindset comes to the fore as he describes himself as a “normal teenager with a slight disadvantage”.

An amputee at five

Fana had lost his leg and his best friend on his fifth birthday (April 17, 2010) when the bakkie they (and a number of learners from Nigel Secondary School) were travelling in collided with another vehicle at The Angelo Mall crossing in Nigel.

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During the accident he and his best friend were flung from the bakkie. His friend died and Frana was left with life threatening injuries which included a fractured skull caused by a broken glass bottle. Despite valiant efforts by a team of doctors from the Charlotte Maxeke Hospital, Fana’s lower leg could not be saved.

“I was in hospital for around three months and my first two years without the lower limb had been the worst of my life, but I quickly adapted to my new shape.At times I was teased by other children, but then people took pity on me.”

Fana, who appears wise beyond his years, says that he could not deal with people’s pity and had it not been for Icexpress Progressive Prosthetics in Pretoria, he probably would not have become the blade sprinter he is today. Along with his brand new prosthetic leg, Fana also benefitted from years of intensive trauma counselling and rehabilitation.

He soon joined the Ability Sports Club, which was specifically launched by Icexpress Progressive Prosthetics to address the growing need for sports and recreation opportunities for those living with physical disabilities.

“The rest is history. Today I am a blade runner and my next focus is to prepare for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. In order to participate at this meeting, I first have to qualify at the South African Paralympic Championships which takes place in Cape Town from March 15. I will qualify! I am geared and ready,” he said with confidence and a huge smile on his face.

His elderly mother and 21-year-old sister Motshidisi do not have the financial means to support him in his quest and for the last few years they have applied and relied on sponsorships (organised with the support of Nigel Secondary School and local businesses).

Any person or company who can provide Fana with financial assistance or sponsorship, can phone Motshidisi on 074 527 0395.

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