Zakes rakes in SA Sport award
Zakes Mkhize who teaches Fulton pupils triathlon won the Volunteer of the year award at the SA Sport Awards.
FULTON School for the Deaf bodymaster Zakes Mkhize won an award for “volunteer of the year” in the SA Sport Awards that were held in Johannesburg on Sunday 17 November.
Excited Zakes, who teaches the skills of triathlon to Fulton pupils and children from the valley, said he is still in shock about the award as he did not expect to win.
“I am still very surprised,” he said.
Zakes believed that working with young, challenged pupils who have proved to have so much talent and have done exceptionally well, was what made him shine in the competition.
“This award has shown me that in life anything is possible, I was just assisting young people with this sport and did not expect anything in return, as I do it in my spare time.
“My dream now is to have an academy as there are many people who want to know more about the sport.
“There is a lot of talent out there and I can not reach all the places, and even if I do, there are no grounds we could use, I cannot teach children on the roads as they could be hit by taxis.
“Triathlon is an expensive sport and despite having few resources the children have shown dedication and I am very proud of them,” he said.
Zakes said he was grateful for the support his family has shown him.
“My family has always supported me, I only see them on the weekends as during the week I am at the school, but even on those weekends I teach children from rural areas and only get home at night.
“I am also grateful to the KZN triathlon association (KZNTA) for teaching me triathlon and providing me with the equipment, and the school principal, Beryl Campbell, has played a huge role in my journey.
