‘Shock and sadness’: Paralympic star Zanele Situ dies at 52

Tributes have poured in from across the country after Paralympic star Zanele Situ died on Wednesday night.

Situ, a four-time Paralympic Games medallist, passed away in her hometown of Kokstad after a “short illness”. She was 52.

“Zanele was a shining beacon of hope and inspiration to our sporting nation and brought immense honour to the country. Her passing comes as a terrible shock and at such a young age,” said SA Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc) president Barry Hendricks.

“All her life she had battled adversity, born into apartheid South Africa in 1971, and rising above all odds to become a six-time Paralympian and multiple Paralympic medallist. She will be mourned, celebrated and never forgotten.”

Athletics career

Despite spending most of her life in a wheelchair after losing both her legs at the age of 11, due to spinal cord damage, Situ took up the sport of athletics as a teenager. And she went on to become one of the country’s most decorated athletes.

At the Sydney Games in 2000, she became the first black South African woman to win a Paralympic gold medal when she won the F54 javelin throw final. She went on to retain her title at the 2004 Athens showpiece.

She also won multiple gold medals at the IPC Athletics World Championships, and she received the Order of Ikhamanga (silver) for her outstanding contributions to sport.

Displaying her impressive longevity, the Maties athlete competed at her sixth Paralympics at the Tokyo Games two years ago, where she represented South Africa at the age of 50.

Tributes from peers

Reinhardt Hamman, who won gold in the F38 javelin throw at the 2016 Paralympics in Rio (where he competed alongside Situ), said he was shocked by the news.

“A deeply sad day for the South African Paralympic family. I am in shock to hear about your passing Zanele Situ. You have made a huge impact in my life and others around the world. We will miss you dearly,” Hamman posted on social media.

Former swimming star Tadhg Slattery, who also competed at six Paralympics and won two gold medals, was equally devastated.

“My heart is shattered… we send our sympathies to her daughter and her family. Peace be with her as she rests. Zanele, I salute you,” Slattery posted.

Situ is survived by her sister and her daughter.