Pistorius highlights his humanitarian work

“I found it very important to myself,” said Pistorius who is accused of murdering his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp on Valentine’s Day at his home last year.

He related how he had set up a race in the centre of town in Vilanculos in Mozambique through a radio station as part of his work with landmine victims.

He had noticed that people were embarrassed by their injuries and that he had found that many teenagers who had not even been part of the war in Mozambique had stepped on landmines and had been injured.

He told the court he had challenged anybody to come and run against him and he won. After that, people with prostheses started stepping forward and seemed more confident of themselves.

He worked with two foundations which provided medical assistance to people who had lost their legs.

He approached the University of Glasgow in Scotland and helped to develop a prosthetic foot for African conditions that was light and durable.

Someone could safely fall asleep with it next to a fire.

He also received an honorary doctorate for his humanitarian work from the University of Strathclyde.

After his initial emotional apology to Steenkamp’s family, Pistorius sat down and testified in an almost monotonous style.

He has pleaded not guilty to the murder charge as well as two charges under the Firearms Act.

– Sapa