A 32-year-old multi-prize winning Special Olympian, Rofhiwa Manwadu, an ambassador for the Special Olympics in Vhembe, is a well-travelled man whose track record surely attests that hard work pays off.

A resident of Maniini village near Thohoyandou, Rofhiwa was born with cerebral palsy, a condition that affects his speech. “I was a slow learner because of my condition, and as such I couldn’t attend a normal school,” he said. “I attended Fulufhelo Special School, where I studied arts. My interest in sporting activities grew, especially in athletics.”

He added that he had caretakers and educators who motivated him. At the age of 17, he had qualified to participate in the Special Olympic Games and he has never looked back since then. So far, he has visited, among other nations, Namibia, Germany, the United State of America, China, Mozambique, Nigeria, Sweden, Greece, Zimbabwe, Italy and Thailand to represent South Africa. “To date, I have won 60 medals (silver and gold), and many trophies, and I am not planning to retire soon,” he said with a smile.

He said that he wanted to tell all people who still looked down on people living with disabilities to “be courageous and never underestimate us.”

Rofhiwa has since lost his parents and he said that he still loved them with an unfading love for all the good moments he had spent with them. “I love my late parents, who supported me when I had just joined the world of athletics,” he said. “They were very encouraging and also made me realise that being disabled does not mean one should hide and not expose one’s talent.”

Rofhiwa said: “This is a time for families to get together and reflect on the year gone by and to celebrate New Year. It is a time for prayers and happiness. As an Ambassador for the Special Olympics in Vhembe District, let me wish all our residents, tourists and those who will be travelling in different countries a peaceful Christmas and all the love and blessings of the season.”