Bongani Mahlangu

Bonzai-Photography-11
Born7 December 1996
SchoolZimisele Secondary School in KwaThema, South Africa
Lives inKwaThema, South Africa

Story

Bongani Mahlangu  lost his leg on his 13th birthday when a motorist crashed into him while he was playing with friends next to the road. Now out of school, Bongani remains a great example to young kids and is now an ambassador for Jumping Kids.

Bongani could be fitted sooner, (rather than later), with the correct prosthetic solution.

Since becoming a Jumping Kid Bongani has…

  • represented Gauteng at the 2011 & 2013 Nedbank National Athletics Championships
  • set a new South African record in the under-18 men F44 long jump (4.15m)
  • represented the Jumping Kids Prosthetic Fund at various events including the StepUp500 Challenge, the Warrior Race Series and the Avis Jumping Kids Madiba Day event in 2013
  • won gold in the T44 under-20 200 m (30.24 sec) & the 100 m (14.08 sec) and silver in the F44 long jump (4.68m) at the 2014 Nedbank National Athletics Championships
  • set a new South African Record in the u/20 T44 long jump with leap of 5.28m and went on to take silver in the 100m & 200m sprints at the 2015 SASAPD Nedbank National Athletics Championships

Q&A

Best Jumping Kids moment/s

The best part is being able to do sport again and all the wonderful sponsored events we get to go to that is organised by Jumping Kids.

Future goal/s

I dream of being successful in my sport and education. I would also like to inspire others by proving that amputation does not mean the end of life.

Message to children living with disabilities

My message is that an amputation does not have to mean the end of your career or future goals. It is possible to live a normal life just like anyone else.