Ormonde’s Amina participates in Soweto Marathon
She was testing inclusivity in the race and got more than that.
Amina Farouk from Ormonde felt empowered after participating in this year’s Soweto Marathon 10km on November 6.
She said life is not about the win, but about the journey, the experience, the lessons learnt and getting memories that last a lifetime.
November is Disability Awareness Month and during the race, she tested the limits of inclusivity.
“Participating in the race and being in the streets of Soweto felt so empowering and the people were very accommodating. I realised I belong there, disabled people have a sense of belonging. I am determined to take up space and my voice will be heard,” she said.
She participated in the Soweto Marathon and while others ran, she joined the race by riding through the route on her mobility scooter. She indicated that this race was indeed the people’s race. Amina also participated in the Joburg Run Your City Race as well as the Total Sports Women’s Day Race.
With her Miss Inspire SA finalist sash in the women’s category in 2022, she felt honoured and privileged in the accomplishment to debut at such a prestigious event.
More about Amina and her journey
She is a teacher by profession, a mentor by passion and an educator at heart. Amina is a Durban-raised woman who resides in Gauteng.
She became physically disabled after she lost her right leg in a car accident when she was eight years old. She was walking out of a shop and a driver under the influence of alcohol drove into her. Her leg was amputated from the hip at Milpark Hospital in Johannesburg.
Amina underwent intense therapy and rehabilitation to get her life back to some sort of normality. She was a victim of bullying and social exclusion. She is an endometriosis warrior.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in Education and an honours degree in Sociology from the University of South Africa. She entered the education sector at the age of 18 with a burning desire to change the outlook of children via the power of the classroom. She had a goal of breaking the stigma and having zero tolerance for bullying.
Before 21 she was head of the department and by 24 she was deputy principal. She holds a residency at Cambridge Level.
She is the founder of the Teach with a Passion Mentorship Programme designed for student teachers across South Africa. This is an online platform she manages via virtual interactions to prepare future educators for the unseen reality of the classroom.
She provides guidance, skills development and different educational methodology and continuous educational support.
Amina lives by the motto of ‘Ability Beyond Disability’. She enjoys taking on new challenges and exploring nature. Her hobby includes motivational colouring in using the highlighter technique.
She has many accolades under her belt including Women of Wonder Gauteng 2021 and is under the 1 of 100 influential women in South Africa 2022. She is on a journey to inspire others while she is Miss Inspire SA finalist 2022 in the women’s category, as well as a Casual Day Ambassador for the National Council for Persons with Disabilities.
Amina is determined to claim her space
Amina entered Miss Inspire SA with the mindset that she will pave the way for many young girls who lack self-esteem. She believes beauty comes from within and aims to encourage every young girl to step out and step up.
Her message to young girls is ‘You are enough, you are worth it and you will achieve anything you put your mind to.’
You can find Amina on Instagram @ms_amina_gp
