In what can almost be described as a fairy tale, a disabled athlete from a poor rural community in Vhembe won a silver medal at the Dubai World Para Athletics Grand Prix 2025 last week.
For Masala Makatu, an 18-year-old from Makhitha village in the Kutama area, the events of the past few months still feel almost unreal. Five years ago, when he was a learner at the Rivoni School for the Blind, he never dreamed of representing his country on the world sporting stage.
"I never thought a rural boy like me would one day go places through athletics," he said in an interview this week.
Makatu is currently a Grade 11 learner at Champion Christian Academy, but his parents initially enrolled him at Rivoni, a school that specialises in teaching blind learners. He has very limited vision in both eyes.
His talent for running was discovered almost by accident. "One day, the teachers sent me on an errand and told me to run as fast as possible and come straight back. Within minutes, I was back, and they were very surprised. That same afternoon, they took me to the sports field to compete with others during training, and I outran them all. The rest, as they say, is history."
Makatu did not take his talent for granted and trained hard to develop his skills. "I realised that I had received a special gift from God," he said. His dedication paid off, and he began winning competitions both locally and nationally. His dream was to become one of the best athletes South Africa has ever produced.
Last year, Makatu had to qualify for the world championships. He represented his province at the SASAPD National Championships in Bloemfontein, where he won three gold medals - in the 100m, 200m, and 400m event - in the U20 T12 (visually impaired) category. He also set two South African records, in the 100m and 400m.
For him, the trip to Dubai was the fulfilment of a dream. He is a member of the Isability Sports Club Limpopo, where he trains alongside top athletes, including Olympic medallist Sheryl James. James was highly impressed by Makatu's performance. "This was his first international competition, so he was pretty nervous," she wrote on her Instagram page.
Despite the nerves, Makatu held his own, clinching silver in the Men's Open 100m T12 race. He finished in 11.51 seconds, just 0.09 seconds behind the winner.
"Although I only finished second in my first world race, I am satisfied with my performance and feel that I have represented my people well. The competition was tough, and it is a great honour to be counted among the best athletes in the world," he said.
James also made her country proud, securing gold in the 200m and 400m races. "When we started out on the trip to Dubai, I was overwhelmed with doubt, and questions flooded my mind. Should I be doing this? But, by the grace of God, I ran and started the season well," she wrote.
One of the biggest challenges for local athletes is securing sponsorships to compete internationally. The Isability Sports Club provides crucial support to athletes such as Makatu, but much more is needed. He is determined not to let his background hold him back from achieving his dreams - but he needs a sponsor.