As preparations for the Pick n Pay Greater Edendale Race in the KZN Midlands gain momentum, the Race Organising Committee (ROC) is pleased to announce that local runner Nkanyiso Dlamini has made his entry for Sunday’s exciting community-empowering event, hoping to cause an upset in the 10km event to take home the first prize of R2500.
The brave, young Mr Dlamini is no ordinary runner. Being a child with ‘special needs’, Nkanyiso made the Rainbow Nation very proud this year when he brought home gold from the Greek Special Olympics. He came in first position, achieving Gold in 800m. He also took part in the 400m finals and came fourth.
At last years SA Games in Limpopo, the budding athlete made it in third position in the 1500m. He also thoroughly enjoys a good cross country run. Nkanyiso keenly admits that he performs at his best when running between 800m and 1500m but believes that he will give all participants in the 10km event a run for their money.
22 year old Nkanyiso’s story is a heart-wrenching but awe-inspiring one. Coming from a home of four young sons, his dad is a single parent providing for the family on a meagre government grant, since the death of Nkanyiso’s mom.
Due to him being a learner with special needs, Nkanyiso attends Entokozweni Special School at Mpumuza in Sweetwaters where he is in the ‘senior’ class. This school caters for learners with special needs and Nkanyiso’s two other siblings are also pupils there.
The support of the community is vital to Nkanyiso’s future success and anyone who is able to lend a helping hand is asked to do so. As mentioned, the Dlamini family depends greatly on their monthly grant for survival and is in dire need of financial and material support to further Nkanyiso’s admirable running career.
Those interested in assisting may contact Zakhe Zondi, the Sports Coordinator at the Entokozweni Special School on 033 324 9046.
The ROC will be at the stadium taking entries on Saturday 12 November 2011 at the Wadley Stadium from 11h00 to 14h00. Registration will also be open on the day of the race from 05h00 to 07h00.
The 10km event will start at 07h30 and the 5km at 08h00. Entry to the 10km is R20 for licenced runners and temporary licences will on sale at registration for R10 each for unlicensed runners. The entry to the 5km is R10 for the general public. Pupils registering through their schools enter for free and the two schools with the most entries will each win a special ‘Schools Prize’. Security will be tight with the presence of the South African Police Services and Traffic Officers on the route as well as at the venue.