Amkele Mhali is touted as the \u201cbeacon of hope\u201d for many children of Lwandle and surrounding areas after winning the top spot in the Mitchell\u2019s Plain Titans 10 km race on Saturday 19 November.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 16-year-old Grade 9 learner at Rustof High School hails from Nomzamo\u2019s Freedom informal settlement. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The annual race, organised by the Mitchell\u2019s Plain Titans Athletics Club, catered for 21 km, 10 km and 5 km distances, and took participants through the area and along Beach Road. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
An early morning start took runners to the streets of Mitchell\u2019s Plain, where at the 3 km point they turned towards Mnandi Beach and ran along the beautiful False Bay coastline, all the way to Strandfontein Pavilion, with a stretch on the Strandfontein Beach as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Runners were able to take in the coastal views and fresh sea breeze before turning around at the pavilion to make their way back to the finish point at the Rocklands Sports Complex to receive their well-deserved medals and an ice-cold beverage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Titans\u2019 route is fast, flat and scenic with a bit of a hill that does not warrant any mention. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For a few brief moments, depending on your speed, one gets to enjoy the False Bay coast\u2019s fresh sea breeze and the beauty of nature. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Those close to Amkele believe her talents can make her scale great heights, and in no time she can be the next Marion Jones or Caster Semenya.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Amkele\u2019s attributes of \u201cdedication and discipline\u201d are admired by many and it is hoped they will also rub off on her peers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Her excited mother, Nompumelelo Mhali, told City Vision<\/em> she was \u201cproud\u201d of her child\u2019s achievement so far.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGrowing up she never really showed this immense talent of running,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBut when in Grade 4 at Christmas Tinto Primary School is when her talent was unearthed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cTo hear that she recently won makes me so happy for her. She is a very humble and dedicated child, especially to this running. When we speak she tells me she wants to do this professionally, and I fully support her.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Amkele runs for the Lwandle Athletic Club (LAC), where there are 30 licensed juniors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n LAC chairperson Buyiswa Matyesha-Mafuna said the club was \u201cecstatic\u201d about her win and would like more children to believe in themselves in this way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhat makes this so sweet is that Amkele is your girl-next-door,\u201d she pointed out. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOur children need to stop doubting themselves as anything they set their sights on can be achieved if they work hard enough for it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAmkele is a dedicated child and she knows the talent she poses. But more importantly she knows that her talent alone is not enough, so she is very dedicated to her gym.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n Matyesha-Mafuna called on parents to allow their children to explore many avenues in life and not only restrict them to the already known professions as talent also counted a lot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe likes of Caster Semenya and Wayde van Niekerk are making money through sport. So it is imperative to encourage children to explore their to the fullest,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Holly Page of the United Kingdom (UK) walked away with top honours in this year\u2019s women\u2019s 21 km race.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Amkele Mhali is touted as the \u201cbeacon of hope\u201d for many children of Lwandle and surrounding areas after winning the top spot in the Mitchell\u2019s Plain Titans 10 km race on Saturday 19 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