Durban - A Wentworth soccer player has returned from the Olympic Games in Rio to a rousing reception at the weekend.
The South African Under-23 and Pietermaritzburg United soccer player, Deolin Quade Mekoa, 23, was mobbed by friends and family during a motorcade through the south Durban suburb on Saturday.
Mekoa beat the odds by turning to football instead of gangs and drug abuse, which are rife in the area.
The eThekwini Municipality international and governance relations head, Eric Apelgren, handed over a certificate to Mekoa at the local community hall on behalf of Durban mayor, Zandile Gumede.
The certificate of excellence acknowledged Mekoa as a positive role model for young people, inspiring them to achieve excellence and global recognition in the face of adversity.
“A young man from the barracks, Landsdowne Road, who in the face of adversity and difficult social circumstances represented the country at the Rio Olympics,” Apelgren said.
Mekoa’s grandmother, Ruth Jullies, 65, said he had not forgotten his roots.
“When he has a spare weekend, he always visits. When he was in Brazil, he kept in contact with us via Skype. Thank God, he has reached the top.
“He bought me a dress while in Brazil. He had a tough upbringing. I took care of him when he was 3 months old. His mother died when he was 17.
“I brought him up with my pension money. I remember buying him his first pair of soccer boots. Deolin would talk in his sleep. He would be heard saying, ‘pass the ball’ or ‘down the wing’. His dream has come true,” said an emotional Jullies.
Yesterday, at the Badulla Drive football grounds in Merewent, the modest Mekoa watched local league matches being played on a pitch he played on for Merewent Suburbs juniors and seniors.
“It was here that I honed my skills,” he said, pointing to a dilapidated changeroom and weed-filled soccer pitch.
Mekoa said he was aware of the parade, but the formalities and the certificate caught him by surprise.
The local soccer player who rubbed shoulders and shook hands with Brazil and Barcelona player, Neymar, said it was his dream to play for his country.
“I woke up every day and said to myself I wanted to be something in my life. I worked hard to meet my goals and when the opportunity presented itself, I took it. My message to the youth is if you want something in life, work hard to achieving it. Anything is possible,” Mekoa said.
His former manageress, Naydene Kast, of Young Cavaliers, said to him: “There are no words to describe the joy you bring to us. Son, you have reached your dream faster than you anticipated, hold your head high and be proud of what you have so greatly achieved. Go out there and shine like the star that you are.”
Mekoa was driven around Merebank and Austerville in the back of a Maserati, followed by a motorcade, and drove past two schools he attended, Parsee Rustomjee Primary and Wentworth High.