On Saturday 7 May 2016, a team of nine able-bodied amateur athletes, two paraplegic athletes, a hand cyclists and a full-leg amputee arrived in Centurion after completing a gruelling non-stop relay that had started in Cape Town on 28 April.
Divided into a night crew and a day crew of six members each, the collective OCAL Global (One Chance At Life) team had completed a 10-day, 24-hour-a-day journey through four provinces, had endured all manner of inclement weather, and had traversed every kind of terrain imaginable; all to raise awareness around the needs of differently abled people, and to raise funds for two individuals who have suffered spinal cord injuries.
Roodepoort resident Sandile Nathan Mkhize, a full-time Bachelor of Commerce in Financial Management student at the University of the Witwatersrand, was recruited by Nicolene Mostert, Founder of OCAL Global and one of the nine able-bodied athletes that took part in #OCAL2016.
“Personally I believe Sandile was put in our direct paths for a reason,” recounts Mostert. “After 10 days of being on the road, the #OCAL2016 team completed the Wings for Life 15km route on Sunday 8 May as a final ode to our overall accomplishment, and it was there that we met Sandile: our very first recipient of assistance and training from OCAL Global.”
Between now and April 2017, Mkhize will receive training from paraplegic hand cyclist and OCAL Global Ambassador, Jeffrey Yates, in preparation for his participation in what is already being dubbed #OCAL2017.
“For the next year, Sandile and I will be working and training closely together to prepare him for #OCAL2017,” says Yates. “That’s correct; there is no rest for the wicked, or in this case the organisation that is working tirelessly to debunk the concept of a handicap being a disability. We’re merely differently abled; not disabled.”
On his way to Witbank in January 2013, Mkhize lost control of his motorbike whilst taking a corner.
“It was a freak accident,” says Mkhize. “I woke up days after the accident and instantly knew that my life had changed dramatically. And changed it has; I’ve had 20 reconstructive surgeries and I spent two and a half years between ICU, high care and rehabilitation facilities.”
His number one goal as part of the OCAL Global team is to show the world that the stereotypical notion of what makes a person disabled is wrong. Knowing all too well that the path to #OCAL2017 will be mentally and physically challenging, he is nonetheless committed to doing his best and aims to make a real difference in differently abled people’s lives. Mkhize also strives to create a more accessible South Africa; one that sheds a light on inaccessible spaces and ensures they are adapted.
When asked if he has any limitations, Mkhize says: “Differently abled individuals can do anything an abled-bodied person can do; we just do it differently!”
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OCAL Global was founded on the premise and belief that anyone’s success is not measured by their own achievements in life, but rather what how they have helped others to achieve and accomplish in their lives.
“In this initial year, not only will OCAL Global be taking on board two new team members for the #OCAL2017 journey, but it will also be facilitating their recovery and enabling them to continue to live adventure-filled lives with purpose even in their now differently abled bodies.”
Alun Davies, Co-Founder of OCAL Global was looking to make a difference in life, and he met Nicolene “Her mission to challenge a global belief system regarding disability resonated with me and it was a naturally easy partnership from there.” Having project managed a team of physically disabled athletes, including the world’s first triple amputee, going up Kilimanjaro made it as clear as daylight to this passionate duo that there is no such thing as disability.
“It sparked the realisation that we are all in some way or another disabled, be it emotionally, physically or mentally,” Mostert concludes.
For more information, follow OCAL Global on Facebook, Twitter (@ocalglobal) and Instagram (@ocalglobal) as well as #OCAL2016.
For sponsorship opportunities please contact Alun Davies on alun@ocalglobal.com
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