Palesa Manaleng (30) is a paraplegic, but that does not define her more than her character does.
Head-strong, confident, kind and able are words to use when describing this Westdene resident.
Before a cycling accident in 2014 damaged her spine and left her in a wheelchair, Manaleng competed in every sport you could think of.
Rather than break her spirit, the accident has redirected her focus.
“I have to work extra hard to do the things I want to do,” she said. “What I want is for the next generation not to struggle like this.”
Manaleng has learnt more than just how to get around in her wheelchair. She took up boxing at the Hugenote Amateur Boxing Club in Brixton and with the help of trainer Boetie Lourens took up paracycling.
In one year she qualified for the Paracycling World Cup in 2015, where she finished fifth. The next year she earned silver.
This year, Manaleng has focused on challenging herself further. She completed her first 10km race since the accident, at the FNB Joburg 10K CityRun in September.
She also completed the Telkom 947 Cycle Challenge in November.
READ: Can’t knock this woman down
The greatest challenge for her, she said, was red tape and persuading event organisers to allow her to take part in able-bodied races.
“Overseas if you are in a wheelchair you can still do most of the able-bodied events without trouble, but here I have to send emails to ask for permission,” she said. “There is also no prize money for para-athletes in most South African events.”
Manaleng wants to change this so para-athletes can have professional sporting careers.
A step towards this would be for her to make history and be the first paraplegic to complete the Comrades Marathon, in two years time.
According to Lourens, Manaleng is capable of doing this.
“Palesa is a very determined person and trains Monday to Friday,” he said.”She does everything my other boxers do, except skipping and running. She can do anything she puts her mind to.”
ALSO READ: Wheel-bound journalist keeps headstrong
