* Please note that the contact number to help Azaliah has been changed. This is the correct number: 0631254227.
Cape Town - Some people choose to allow the circumstances they find themselves in to influence their lives, while others choose to use adversity to overcome their challenges.
This is true for young Azaliah Smith, 11, a talented gymnast from one of the worst neighbourhoods in the city.
Tafelsig, in Mitchell's Plain, has one of the highest murder rates in the country.
Azaliah and her family live in a wendy house situated in a back yard in Tafelsig, Mitchell's Plain. They share the yard with three other families. Picture: Henk Kruger/ANA Pictures
Despite this, Azaliah will soon be off to the World Games in Egypt.
She lives in a cramped wendy house, much like many of the residents on the Cape Flats, sharing the tight space with her mom, Bronwyn Smith, and her brother Diego.
Her mom is a single parent.
Azalia, her brother Diego and their mom Bronwyn in their wendy house. Picture: Henk Kruger/ANA Pictures
"Their father died five years ago."
Azaliah knelt on a makeshift counter, frying vetkoek, when the Cape Argus visited the tiny dwelling on Wednesday.
Azaliah kneels on a makeshift counter, frying vetkoek. Picture: Henk Kruger/ANA Pictures
She fell in love with the sport after joining the team her aunt, head coach Riyanah Dirks, trains.
Azaliah makes vetkoek. Picture: Henk Kruger/ANA Pictures
"I used to wait for my aunt, who is also the head coach, (Riyanah Dirks), in the afternoons after school and see how they practice," Azaliah said.
"It was only after one of the other girls in the gymnastics club asked me to try the sport that I did. Only after I tried it, I realised that I like it. I enjoy the sport very much."
Azaliah makes vetkoek. Picture: Henk Kruger/ANA Pictures
She's now the lead gymnast at the Wasabi Gymnastics Club at Cedar High School in Rocklands.
After just four years participating, she is already "exceptionally talented".
"She has a natural talent for the acrobatic gymnastics," head coach Dirks said.
Azaliah holds up some of the medals she's already bagged. Picture: Henk Kruger/ANA Pictures
"When she started doing the sport she took to it like a fish to water. And it is not an easy sport this, because you are bending your body to the extreme.
"Azaliah is already a level eight and the top gymnast in her age group. She will be part of the group who will be representing our country in Egypt. The games happens next year."
Azaliah needs funds to travel to Egypt and her mom is at her wits' end trying to get her to the May 2018 competition.
Azalia's brother Diego and their mom Bronwyn in their wendy house. Picture: Henk Kruger/ANA Pictures
"I encourage my children to get involved in sport. I am very proud of her. But we need to start fundraising, so that she will be able to participate in the competition in Egypt," her mom, Bronwyn, said.
* If you'd like to help, you can call Riyanah Dirks on 063 1254 227.