Simbine and Semenya making a difference and driving change off the track

It’s not unusual for elite athletes to launch foundations and invest in their communities, but the reality is that, more often than not, it doesn’t have much of an impact.

Either due to a lack of funding or other support, or a shortage of time and energy by those who do try, many foundations exist in name but fall short in terms of providing actual support.

But there are instances when the country’s top sports stars are able to find ways to make a real difference, using their influence and resources to promote useful organisations, ideas and products.

Joining that club, track athletes Akani Simbine and Caster Semenya are taking strides off the track to solve real problems hindering the youth.

National 100m record holder Simbine announced this week his own foundation would now support an organisation which provides a crucial tool which is not available to many young South Africans: school desks.

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Simbine is now the ambassador of MiDesk Global, which makes school bags that convert into desks and chairs.

With solar lights and USB charging ports, these desks ensure kids can study, even during the country’s ongoing energy crisis.

Driving long-term success

“Regardless of what career path they may choose to take in the future, investing in young children is the starting point to setting them up for success,” Simbine said yesterday.

Similarly, two-time Olympic 800m champion Caster Semenya has for some time been the ambassador for PrincessD, an organisation that provides reusable female hygiene products to young girls in underprivileged areas, ensuring they don’t have to take time off school for up to a week every month.

Sometimes it feels like athletes are just starting foundations because they believe it’s something they’re supposed to do. But the likes of Simbine and Semenya have found ways to make a real difference by addressing issues which affect millions of South Africans.

Though they keep children in school and give them the resources they need to study at home, MiDesk and PrincessD are not purely angel funds. They are organisations which produce patented products they are promoting and selling.

But they make and provide brilliant solutions, and it’s great to have top athletes finding ways to gather funding in order to make them available.

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We can’t really blame people for not following through with promises to drive development and assist the youth. It’s not an easy task.

Some of them do follow through, however, and as challenging as it must be to spare enough time and resources to really help, they are proving it can be done.