Stories of Hope: Episode 12 - Aphiwe Lumkwana
Aphiwe Lumkwana’s story: He is a blind cricket player from South Africa who overcame bullying, discrimination and poverty to follow his dreams. He talks about how he discovered blind cricket and how it changed his life. He also thanks Isinyithi Trading for sponsoring his Business Administration learnership that helps him support his family and his sports. Read about our Stories of Hope: Episode 12 below or watch the video.
“(00:28) My name is Aphiwe Lumkwana, I was born in the Eastern Cape in an area called eNgcobo (Nkonkwane) and I currently stay in uMlazi. Growing up was quite difficult for me because I used to attend normal school with learners who have the ability to see. This was the cause for much bullying and discrimination towards me, to an extent that I could not play sports as others would. I eventually changed schools and attended a disabled learners school where I could play sports and have the opportunity to groom my talents. My father passed away before I had finished school and at that point life became much harder because I didn’t have money to carry on with my studies.
(01:43) One day one of my friends told me about Edge Training, and that’s when I moved to uMlazi. I was enrolled in a Business Administration Learnership with Edge Training. My facilitator at Edge, that facilitates Business Administration, has a good understanding of me. He prepares for me, addresses me and my struggles very well and he really is a good person.
(02:27) This is where I met a friend of mine who told me about Blind Cricket and offered me a chance to watch it being played at the grounds. I took up the offer and watched them play, I played and that was when I was offered a position by the President of the KZN Association to represent KZN in an actual game.
(03:09) Blind Cricket is most important to me because it taught me that everyone who has a disability can do things for themselves, them too have talents and there is not one sport that they cannot play. All sports are similar whether you have visual abilities or not.
(03:33The Business Administration Learnership has assisted me a lot because through it, I have gained income, an income that helps me lend a hand at home, keep up with sports and attend practices on weekends.
(04:01) I would love to thank Isinyithi Trading, for sponsoring my learnership and giving me a chance to follow my dreams.”
Next Steps
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