After facing kidney failure and months of uncertainty, Mark turned to sport to rebuild his life and shares awareness.
Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa (25 September 2025) – The starting line is never just about the race for Mark Nortjie. It is about proving that life after a transplant is possible, and that every step, every jump, is a gift.
“My perspective on life from getting a second chance. I wake up every day, and everything changes every single day.”
In 2013, Mark Nortjie faced one of the toughest chapters of his life. After years of feeling unwell, he discovered he was in stage four renal failure and needed a kidney transplant.
“That was a really painful period in my life. I had never known kidney disease until then.”
His first transplant, scheduled for January 2012, was cancelled due to health complications, and the path forward was unclear. During that period, a coordinator suggested he focus on sports again.
“She had shown me pictures. You get that fire in that motivates you to go forward.”
With support from his family, he began with small steps, from walks, exercises, and slowly reconnecting with sport.
This year, he represented South Africa at the World Transplant Games in Germany, winning gold in the long jump and silver in both the high jump and 100m relay. For the first time, his donor (his sister) accompanied him to the Games and also won a silver medal.
“The medals are there just to showcase my talent, but they show people that you can achieve anything. My personal journey is not mine alone.”
For him, sport and advocacy go hand in hand. Every medal and every event is a way to show what life after a transplant can look like.
“We need people to stand with us in solidarity. To showcase the greatness of organ donor awareness.”
Sources: GTG Interview
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