Sizwe Lawrence Ndlovu is a Gold Olympic Medalist with a heart of gold. He is taking on a gruelling challenge to raise money for a charity close to his heart.
Sizwe Lawrence Ndlovu is a rowing Olympic Gold Medalist with a passion for changing South Africa. He is taking on a massive challenge to raise funds for a charity close to his heart.
Sizwe moved from a small town to Johannesburg to attend high school. This move changed the course of his life forever!
“ I developed a passion for rowing in 1997 while I was at Mondeor High. I was encouraged by my headmaster, Tom Price, to take the sport up after I left the water polo team. When I began, I was one of only four black pupils in a predominantly white sport. By the end of the season, I was the only one.”
After just one year Sizwe set off to Amsterdam for his first international tournament. In 1999 Sizwe made the Junior National Team and the team came ninth. He worked towards success every year from that point on which led him to the London Olympics in 2012. Team SA won a Gold medal for rowing making him an Olympic Medalist.
“And now I have a new dream. To enter Unogwaja – a 10-day, 1 660 km cycle from Cape Town to Pietermaritzburg, followed by running the Comrades Marathon on the 11th day. This journey is inspired by Phil Masterton-Smith, who had to cycle from Cape Town to participate in the race because he could not afford the train fare to get there leisurely like everyone else. ”
Sizwe will be doing this challenge to raise funds for the Unogwaja Light Fund which generates financial support for community-based organisations in South Africa focusing on education and skills development.
“South Africa needs more everyday heroes – ordinary people who achieve extraordinary things through sheer determination and will power. Good men and women who provide inspiration for the next generation of South Africans, wherever they may come from.”
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