Hero's welcome for Mvumvu
2003-08-11 17:01
Cape Town - The fourteen-year old former homeless child who triumphed at the Federation Equestre Internationale Children's World Challenge Championship in Hagen, Germany on Sunday will be will be welcomed by his classmates from Laerskool Groote Schuur when he returns to Cape Town International airport from Frankfurt on Tuesday .
Bongani Mvumvu is the new world champion of children's dressage for developing countries.
His story is one of good will and hope gaining triumph over poverty and ill fortune. Only three years ago he was on the streets with bleak prospects.
On a quest to find his mother who had left him in the care of relatives while she sought farm work, he'd dropped out of school and was wondering the farmlands of the Western Cape, living rough.
While foraging on a Philippi pig farm, his luck finally changed. He was befriended by four-year old Grant Mohr, who persuaded his parents, Geoff and Linda Mohr, to invite Bongani home.
Linda Mohr just happens to be a riding instructor and it was in her livery yard that Bongani's prodigious talent was revealed. She enrolled Bongani in school and nurtured his incredible gift.
Just one year later, Bongani was scooping awards and trophies at virtually every single horse showing event he entered.
Today he has the equestrian world at his feet.
Foster mother
"I simply can't believe it," said Bongani. "It hasn't sunk in that I am world champion but I want to thank everyone who helped me win especially my foster mother Linda Mohr who took me in when I had nothing and Brett Kebble who sponsored me when no one else would."
Businessman Brett Kebble said he was delighted by the news; "It just shows what a depth of tremendous talent there is in South Africa. Bongani's triumph is a triumph for all South Africans and I am very pleased I was able to help by sponsoring him."
Bongani beat 17 other riders from 15 countries to take the world title. It was the first time he had competed internationally and the first time he had traveled outside of South Africa.
Bongani's foster mother Linda Mohr said Bongani cruised through the finals.
"The fairy tale came true. Honestly, none is us expected him to win because he was competing against world class riders but in the finals he took a huge points lead and easily won all three stages." She added that the family was immensely grateful to Brett Kebble for funding the trip and making Bongani's dream come true.
Head judge of the competition, Eckhard Wemhner of Germany, pronounced Bongani a potential world champion. "Bongani has unlimited potential," he said. "He has all the makings of a champion. He is a very special rider who instinctively knows the right thing to do. This is the mark of a true champion."
- SAPA