A group of fans and family members gathered at Cape Town International Airport to bid farewell to Western Cape Paralympic Athletes who jetted-off to represent the country in Brazil, on Tuesday.
The 16 athletes are due to participate in Paralympic Games in Rio De Janeiro from 7 to 18 September.
Anroux Marais, the MEC for Cultural Affairs and Sport, was also present to send her best wishes to the Paralympics before they departed.
“You will not realise how proud we are about you. We know that you are going to bring gold medal here. Have a safe journey and have fun,” Marais said.
Ndodomzi Jonathan Ntutu, 30, one of the athletes, said he was more than ready for causing a storm in the competition.
“The preparations went very well. I am much ready for the competition. I do not want to come back empty handed.
I know that I must guard the way I approach my race and I know it will not be a problem. I am not scared for anyone there,” Ntutu said.
Ntutu, the 100 metre and 200 metre runner, will represent the country for the fourth time in the international level.
He has since competed in Athens, Beijing where he won Silver medal and London where he won Bronx in 2012.
His first competition will be on 13 September.
Zanele Situ, 45, also said she is ready for the competition.
“I am ready for the competition. The challenges that I have are the same as the ones we are all facing, because you find that some of the athletes are less disabled than you. Our disabilities are not the same,” Situ said.
The Javelin and Discus player will be representing the country for the fifth time abroad.
She won silver medal in 2000, in Sydney and gold medal in Greece, in 2004.
Steven Vearey, the chairperson for Western Province Sports for Physically Disabled, also wished them the best of luck.
“I am extremely proud of you. Go and make us proud in Brazil. I wish you all the best,” Vearey said.
