A little girl from Bela Bela was meant to be competing in a cross-country race but instead decided to forfeit a medal and help another competitor by carrying her through a rough patch.
Bela Bela, South Africa (24 August 2018) – When the news is bad and negativity is taking hold of your emotions, always look for the heroes… even if they are younger than you ever thought they would be.
These are the South Africans that will remind you who we are, and what we really stand for!
Thinus van der Heever, part owner of Edu-Discipline, a company that specializes in a holistic approach to school discipline, shared the most incredible story on their Facebook page. He had witnessed something amazing and wanted to share it to try to drown out some of the negativity we are faced with every day.
The post is one that should be read and shared by every single South African!
Thinus is involved with Laerskool Warmbad’s cross-country team. They recently travelled to Groblersdal to participate in an event there.
One of their athletes – young Kaila Germishuizen u/9 – was originally not chosen for the team, but was very determined to go and participate. Her eagerness resulted in her parents buying her new running shoes. She was very nervous before the race, but Thinus gave her a pep talk.
“I told her that we do this not just to win, but mostly to have fun – and when we do this to have fun we will enjoy it, and if we enjoy it, we will automatically have fun.”
She had to complete a 2km race, but Thinus soon realized that she was nowhere to be seen and that she was supposed to be near the finish line already. He ran to another post on the track to see if I could find her.
“What I saw brought tears to my eyes.
Here is this 9 year old little girl busy carrying another little girl from a different school – the track had some sections that was covered with thorns and this other little girl was not wearing any running shoes.”
Thinus approached both girls and soon realized that little Kaila had tears streaming down her cheeks. She was heartbroken because one of the boys acting as a marshal told her that she was not allowed to carry the other little girl – and Kaila’s heart could not handle the fact that this little girl had to run through the thorns.
“I asked her if she would rather help the little girl, or finish the race because that is her choice. She chose to turn around and go and help the other little girl again.”
A little way down the track Thinus saw that Kaila was carrying her newfound friend again. She left her friend only after she saw that they had passed all the thorny sections.
“Is this not a lesson we can learn today? It does not matter who you are, where you come from, which school you attend…. there was somebody in need, and Kaila was willing to give up on her dream of finishing the race and help this new friend.
Kaila we salute you!! You are an example to all of us.
Kobus and Angie – you can be very proud of your daughter – a true example of how to instill values when raising your children.
She will receive a medal for true sportsmanship on Monday in-front of her whole school!”
They later found out that the little girl Kaila assisted is called Sephokwane – a grade 3 learner from Groblersdal Academy. She ran third place in the previous competition, but this time the thorns got to her…
What an incredible story, and a reminder of the commonality we all share… above everything else, we are South African! And that makes us one of the same. Thank you, Kaila, for your act of kindness and thank you Thinus for sharing the story with all of us.
For more information about Edu-Discipline, visit their Facebook Page.
** UPDATE **
Since posting this inspiring story, you, our incredible readers, have managed to make sure that this little girl gets a new pair of shoes. Kaila is also being honoured for her kindness this coming Monday.
“We did get shoes sponsored for little Sephokwane. On Monday we are launching the Kaila Germishuys Kamaradie Campaign. Please watch out for our post on Monday – you might still be able to help another child in need”
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THIS is the South Africa I prefer to believe in – our children will beour future and being change to the current chaos!