CLERMONT’S Alututho Tsholo is set to represent South Africa in the World Para Surfing Championships in Pismo Beach, California from December 4 to 11. The 15-year-old was born with Spastic Diplegia which affects her ability to walk independently, and she uses crutches to get around.
Her love for surfing was revived in 2017 when she joined the Made For More Adaptive Surfing programme in 2017. She started surfing after she joined Made for More, a non-profit organisation that aims to empower disabled people through sports.
ALSO READ: Deaf community celebrated with awareness week
With the upcoming trip, Alulutho is raising funds and has been able to raise over R60 000, which she collected from her last trip that was cancelled due to Covid-19.
Her mother, Cynthia Tsholo, said her daughter has grown in the sport ever since. “She is now one of the few Black women to ever represent South Africa in Para Surfing, and the youngest woman, too. As we have seen, there has been a shift in the cost of living so Lulu needs just a little more help to go and represent SA doing what she loves,” she said.
Alulutho will be travelling with her mom as it is unfamiliar to her. This campaign is to help fund both Lulu and her mom, Cynthia, in getting to World Champs. They have to raise R102 000 to cover all expenses, which includes transport, accommodation, food and event costs for Lulu, with no financial assistance. Please help this Adaptive warrior woman take on her first flight ever to represent our country.
ALSO READ: Trauma major cause of death and disability
“Last time we checked, we were short of R20 000. Our flights have been booked for Thursday. This feels like a dream come true. I am so happy for my daughter that she gets to travel at this age – this will be our first time on a plane. I am so proud of her and wish her well.”
Alulutho said she was ecstatic for this journey. She continued to say she is happy to live her life to the fullest and not let disability get in her way.
