Lungile Moferi, who grew up an orphan with little education, is running Comrades to raise funds to add new books and games to a little local library.
Western Cape, South Africa (25 August 2022) – A 63-year-old Gugulethu man will run his sixth Comrades Marathon in aid of the children of the VUSA Rugby and Learning Academy.
Lungile Moferi joined the VUSA Mobile Library Project two years ago and takes great pride in loading the tuk-tuk with books and driving to three ECD centres in Langa each morning to read stories to his beloved eager listeners, aged three to six.
VUSA’s primary goal is to create opportunities for children who live in poverty-stricken communities and face all the stressors that are associated with that. Global evidence shows Early Childhood Education (ECD) interventions can protect children against the effects of poverty; and that investment in quality ECD programmes for young children has a significant effect on reducing school drop-out rates and inequality across society.
Moferi has three passions; his family, his job and running, the latter of which he will test on August 28 when he attempts his sixth ‘Ultimate human race’, 89km long.
Moferi, who grew up an orphan with little education, will run to raise funds to add new books and games to the VUSA library.
“VUSA would like to help Lungile with the cost of his transport to Durban,” said Nikki Matthews.
“He is a valuable member of staff and an inspiration to the Langa youngsters, who so enjoy his stories during his daily visits with the mobile library and makes a difference to so many. We would like to help him with his dream of not only crossing the finish line once again but also contributing to improving the lives of these children.”
“Running is my life; I can’t stop it. I discovered it by chance ten years ago, and I race every weekend and train four days a week,” Moferi said.
He raised his three sons on his own after his wife died and recalls reading English books to his sons daily.
“This improved our language skills, and I am glad to be able to do the same for other children in our community. I see a great potential in those kids and the impact of my job: building confidence and increasing low esteem, building pride and teaching respect and responsibility.”
To donate towards Moferi’s cause, visit his crowdfunding page by clicking here.
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