A 23-year-old pupil of Tshilwavhusiku Razwimisani Special School, Lucky Ndou, has been billed to participate in a 5 000m race in the USA in June.

Lucky won in a qualifying race which was held in Durban, and was announced as one of the best-performing athletes in the special schools category. Athletes from other provinces will also participate in the event.

“I feel happy about my upcoming trip to America,” he said. “I also ask some funding from the people out there, however small it may seem; your contribution will mean a lot to me. I am not going to America for nothing. I can only promise my people that I will bring them a token of the strength which I would have demonstrated in America.”

Lucky is hailed as the pride of his school, the local and district municipalities, and the province in athletics.

In his first year of competitive athletices, 2010, he participated in races in Polokwane, Pretoria, Stellenbosch, Cape Town and KwaZulu-Natal.

He is studying welding at the special school. He says that he possesses the ability to manufacture window and door frames, including boom gates and burglar proofing. “I am well equipped in welding and I only need a certificate now, so that I can market and sell my skills to local companies,” he said. “I also want to thank the teachers and the management at Tshilwavhusiku Razwimisani Special School for believing in us.”

Lucky resides at Maebane village in the Kutama area. When he is not at school, he spends his free time in a small bakery in Louis Trichardt, where he does work as a baker. “I enjoy doing different kinds of handiwork, from baking to welding and cleaning,” he said.