“I am not disabled, I’m physically challenged,” said Simphiwe Masilela.
Born without arms does not deter this 40-year-old father of two from living a normal life; as if a person with arms.
Masilela takes on any life challenge and uses his fitness lifestyle to develop the youth through athletic skills.
He thrives on fitness, but after running marathons for 29 years, he is now hanging up his marathon shoes to focus more on developing the youth of Leandra in athletics.
His last marathon was the Leandra half marathon on September 7. In an interview with the Ridge Times, Masilela demonstrated his day-to-day life as a man with no arms, who is well-known and respected in his community.
If anything, the community treats him not differently.
“I’m a jack of all trades and take on life challenges. I thrive on challenges,” said Masilela.
If not running, Masilela keeps fit with cardio workouts at the local ACK Fitness Club. He showed the Ridge Times his workout routine, including weightlifting with his legs, steps, sit-ups, squats and more.
“Born without arms is not a challenge. I accept myself the way I am,” said Masilela.
He uses his feet for almost everything. His one desire is to own an automatic vehicle. Although not currently working and keeping busy with sports in his community, Masilela says he sees himself in a career in IT.
Growing up in Leandra, Masilela’s mother Selinah, sent him to boarding school in Katlehong. He matriculated at OR Tambo School in Soweto. He does not play musical instruments but is involved in his church band.
Before Masilela runs a marathon, he drinks milk and eats a banana to keep hydrated. He then chews gum when he runs to stop the thirst. Masilela navigates corners by slowing down when running.
Proudly showing off his trophies and medals, his mother said: “He was just a normal child growing up. He used to play soccer with other kids. He is the last born of his siblings. I can say I am blessed to have him in my life.”
Masilela also had a sister who was medically blind. He also enjoys playing soccer and has a talent for dancing the cha-cha and tango. Best friend Kevin Ramarope said it was a shock when he met Masilela for the first time.
“He was born without arms, and to him, this is normal. When you don’t know him, you feel pity. I don’t pity him, he is just normal like us all,” said Ramarope.
Ramarope tells of how they would have meals together and Masilela used his feet to feed himself.
“He is the most independent person I know. People with arms could not do some things he does,” said Ramarope
He said Masilela is one guy you can count on and has a knack for seeing good in people that others don’t see.
“He does not hide his disability, he lives with it,” said Ramarope.
Masilela had recently injured his knee and this was a deciding factor in ending marathons. However, Ramarope, who also runs marathons, said he would like to see Masilela take on one last marathon next year and call that his last.
“I asked him to do one more marathon for the community next year. For now, he must take care of his knee. I need to beat him before he retires,” said a laughing Ramarope.
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