An athlete from Philippi is appealing to the community to assist him in fulfilling his dream to help needy children from the neighbourhood.
Sonwabile Dwangu (49), who resides at Lower Crossroads, is preparing himself to participate in the Cape Peninsula Marathon, to be held in Cape Town on Sunday 20 February.
The 42 km race will start near Green Point Stadium in Cape Town and end in Simonstown.
Dwangu, who is running for Lerato’s Hope organisation, said his objective is to raise funds for the children of Philippi.
The organisation, based in Pinelands, is working closely with non-governmental organisations, schools and church fraternity in Philippi in an effort to empower kids.
“The Cape Peninsula Marathon is a build-up to the Two Oceans Marathon, which will be held in the course of the year,” Dwangu said. “For me to be able to participate in the Two Oceans I need to make a six-hour run from Green Point to Simonstown. This is a little I can do to change the lives of young people in my area.”
Explaining how he is going to donate to local organisations, he said Lerato’s Hope had a database of almost all the organisations in Philippi.
“All the organisations that are working with Lerato’s Hope are structured. They are the organisations we’ve been working with. We are not going to give cash, instead; if a school needs soccer equipment we will buy it. Or if a soup kitchen needs food or a stove we will provide it.”
Dwangu, who has dedicated his life to sports, stated not all the children are good at academics. He pointed out that there are those who are going to be successful through sports and other activities.
Dwangu works at Philippi Economic Development Initiative (Pedi). He described his plan as a way of giving back to the community.
