From addiction to Olympic hero – Luvo's mom tells story

Cape Town-160813 Joyce Manyonga who is Luvo's mother only thanks God for her son's silver medal that he won at the Rio Olympics and how he managed to change his life from being a drug addict,she also said she was nervous and kept on praying for her son since friday.Next to her is her grandson Lethokuhle and his friend Ayola Nyintana .pic Phando Jikelo

Cape Town-160813 Joyce Manyonga who is Luvo's mother only thanks God for her son's silver medal that he won at the Rio Olympics and how he managed to change his life from being a drug addict,she also said she was nervous and kept on praying for her son since friday.Next to her is her grandson Lethokuhle and his friend Ayola Nyintana .pic Phando Jikelo

Published Aug 14, 2016

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WHEN Luvo Manyonga jetted off to take part in the Olympics, his unemployed mother, Joyce Manyonga, knew he would bring home a medal.

Being part of the South African squad is a far cry from seven years ago when he was addicted to tik.

His remarkable story is not just about growing up in a shack, but how he overcame his addiction.

His overjoyed mother, a part-time domestic worker, said yesterday her son has become an inspiration to the youth of Mbekweni township in Paarl.

Manyonga described the anxiety she and her family went through as they were unable to sleep properly since Friday, waiting for Luvo to take part in the long jump in the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

The 25-year-old was a whisker away from clinching gold, but his leap of 8.37m secured him South Africa’s fourth 
silver medal. He came second to American Jeff Henderson, who took gold with his 8.38m jump.

Manyonga said her spirit was at ease after watching her son refusing to allow his past to count against him.

Her son’s promising career took a hard knock when he started using drugs while 
living in Mbekweni.

“Today I am over the moon. I was very disappointed when he chose the road he did in the past. But as I parent and someone who cared for him, 
I prayed for him. I did not know that God loved me this much because my son is back to his best,” said Manyonga.

The mother-of-three said Luvo has always been blessed with a special talent from a very young age. She described her son as a passionate hard worker, who believes in his talent.

“He used to ask for R5s and I would think he wanted it to buy cigarettes, but he told me it was for him to get us out of where we were. He used this money to travel to Stellenbosch to train. Even when he was on drugs, I said to myself no one could take away his talent. Only God can,” she said.

“All the R5s I used to give him have gone a long way. It is very difficult supporting someone who wants to be involved in sport because I could not afford all the things he wanted, but that did not discourage him because he saw how hard I was trying.”

Excitement reached a crescendo outside Luvo’s home yesterday as friends, neighbours and the community came to show their support.

Neighbour Mome Hona said: "We are proud of Luvo. He grew up in front of us and he now has gone to inspire the youth from all over South Africa.”

Sport and recreation parliamentary portfolio committee chairperson Beauty Dlulane expressed her gratitude to Luvo, saying he has proven that talent, dedication and determination were a great combination to succeed.

“As the chairperson of the committee, I am very proud of Luvo Manyonga for grabbing the second chance that he has been given with both hands. He has made the whole country proud,” said Dlulane.

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