It was a great day out for Stellenbosch Paralympians, when they not only got special awards from mayor Conrad Sidego, but also got the chance to tour the town, showing off their medals to crowds of adoring fans.
Fresh from their successes at last month’s London Paralympic Games, the sportsmen and women wowed young and old, shaking hands and posing for pictures with their medals.
Leanore Gordon, 11, ran after the tour bus from Cloetesville High School, just to shake the heroes’ hands.
“I know them from TV. I saw them swimming and running. I want to be like them when I grow up,” the excited youngster said.
Gold and silver Paralympic medallist Ilse Hayes proved a crowd favourite, especially at Ikaya Primary School in Kayamandi, where a group of Grade 1s and 2s made it difficult for her to move, hugging her from every angle.
Asavela Goba, 8, said: “I know her from the university. She is always so kind to us. We were so happy for her when she won. I hope she can teach me (to run).”
Hayes said the memory of the excited young people will stay with her forever.
“Some ask you where Oscar [Pistorius] is, and some know your name. It’s a huge honour to get such recognition from the mayor and the town, but at the end of the day it’s awesome that we can inspire people.” Runners Jonathan Ntutu and Hilton Langenhoven struggled to find a moment to eat between interviews with journalists and photos with fans.
Langenhoven, who won silver in the men’s 400m, said getting recognition from the mayor and the people of Stellenbosch was a big victory for the disabled community.
“I’ve been competing internationally for 10 years, and it’s great to come back and be recognised by your community for your achievements. If all goes well, you will definitely be seeing this face in Rio. If we inspired just one child today then it was worth the bus tour,” Langenhoven said.
Ntutu, whose bronze medal in the 100m T13 men’s final was his first in three Paralympic games, said he was humbled that the mayor of Stellenbosch sees him as “one of his own”.
“I don’t see myself as a Stellenbosch citizen, because I’m from Gugulethu. But Stellenbosch has become my home because I have been training here for four years,” he said.
Of Rio in four years, he added: “If you’ve made sacrifices for the past four years, you want to do more. But I’m 90 percent sure about Rio. I have a son to raise so I need to think about that.”
Hayes, Langenhoven, Ntutu and eight other Stellenbosch athletes brought home a total of 18 medals, and have been recognised as Stellenbosch’s sports ambassadors.
Stellenbosch mayor Sidego said the athletes were an example for all South Africans.
“South Africa as a nation is in very many ways a Paralympic nation. It is disabled in many ways with things to overcome on a daily basis. Very often able-bodied people are disabled in their thinking, which is the greatest disability.
“The spirit in which you have responded to your disabilities is an encouragement to all South Africans and the nation to overcome their disabilities.”
He added that SA would become a winning nation only “if we have the attitude that [the athletes] have”. – [email protected]