Born with fibular hemi-melia; a severe congenital condition that affects both legs from the knee down; Ntando Mahlangu spent the first ten years of his life in a wheelchair. That is before a bilateral amputation and access to prosthetics, school and sport changed his course.

In 2012, the year of the London Paralympics, a decision was made to amputate both Ntando’s legs through the knee. He was fitted with his first set of prosthetic blades at an event organized by Avis South Africa in collaboration with the Jumping Kids Prosthetic Fund and IceXpress Progressive Prosthetics.

With further support from Jumping Kids Ntando got the opportunity to attend mainstream school and participate in sport, specifically Para athletics to address his wish to be able to ‘just run’.

By 2016 Mahlangu had developed into a world-class para athlete; winning T42 200m silver for South Africa at the Rio 2016 Paralympics at only 14 years of age. He is widely regarded as ‘One to Watch’ on the Paralympic circuit.

In 2021 at the Tokyo Paralympic Games, Ntando won division gold for South Africa in both the long jump and 200m final events, also setting a new world record (7.17m) in the T61 men’s long jump division.

He aims to inspire more children to dream big and go for their goals, despite the challenges, by being a good example of what is possible with self-discipline, determination and hard work when we make the best of our opportunities.

Timeline of Acheivements:

2021

Won Gauteng Sports Awards Disabled Sportsman of the Year, Sport Personality of the Year

Won gold for South Africa in the Men’s T61 200m final at the Tokyo Paralympic Games and added a second gold in the Men’s T63/61 long jump final, setting a new T61 World Record (7.17m)

2019

Announced as brand ambassador for Őssur, Toyota South Africa, Citi Bank and Under Armour South Africa

2018

Dashed to gold (23.56s) with Richard Whitehead just behind (23.72s) and bronze going to David Henson (25.71s), both from Great Britain, in the T61 200m race at 2018 Müller Anniversary Games

2017

200m Gold, Gold and new World Records in the 100m T42-47 (12.01s) and 400m T42-47 (49.92s) at the Nottwil 2017 World Para Athletics Junior Championships (3-6 August)

100m, 200m, 400m, 800m (1:58.84min / WR & AR) and long jump (6.12m / AR) gold at the 2017 International Wheelchair & Amputee Sports Federation (IWAS) World Games

Won four gold medals (100m, 200m, 400m and Long Jump) and set two WORLD RECORDS (100m T42 / 12.01, 400m T42 / 49.92) at Nottwil 2017 World Para Athletics Junior Championships (3-6 August)

Won silver in the 200m T42 final at the London 2017 World Para Athletics Championships (14-23 July) for South Africa

2016

Awarded 2016 SA Sports Awards – Newcomer of the Year

Awarded Sportsman of the Year with a Disability at the 2016 Gauteng Sports Awards

Won silver in the 200m T42 event in a new African record time of 23.77 seconds, and took 5th spot with another African Record (12.57s) in the 100m dash at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games

Won silver with a new Personal best time of 23.97 seconds behind Richard Whitehead (23.03s WR) at the Muller Anniversary Games that took place in London (23 July 2016)

Selected (19 July 2016) to represent South Africa  at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games

Won gold in the T42 200m (25.89s), gold & new World record in the 800m (2:06.70s), gold in the 100m (13.13s), gold & new World record in the 400m (52.61s), awarded Best Athletes of the Games at IWAS Under 23 World Games (29 June – 3 July 2016)

Invited to participate in the 2016 IWAS u23 World Games hosted in Prague between 29 June and 3 July

Won bronze in the under-16 400m and gold in the Medley Relay at the South African Sub-Youth, Youth, Junior & Under 23 Championships for ‘ABLE’ athletes in Germiston

Selected to represent Gauteng North at the ‘ABLE’ South African Sub-Youth, Youth, Junior & Under 23 Championships in the Boys under-16 400m and Medley Relay in Germiston

set a 400m T42 World Record (53.19s) to add to his African Records in the 100m (13.34s), 200m (26.20s) and, unofficially, the 800m (2:14.00s) races at the 2016 Nedbank National Championships for Physically Disabled

Won Gauteng School Sport Awards LSEN Male Athlete of the Year accolade

2015

Won Gauteng North Sports Association for the Physically Disabled’s awards for Most Developed Athlete of the Year, Junior Sportsman of The Year, and Overall Sports Winner of the Year in 2015

Set an unofficial Senior World Record in the T42 400m at the 2015 IWAS Junior World Games in Stadskanaal and won the Athlete with International Potential award

Set three African Records (and unofficial Junior World Records) in the T42 under-20 category at the 2015 SASAPD Nedbank National Athletics Championships plus added another gold in the javelin item

Represented South Africa as a guest of Wheelchair Tennis SA at the 2014 Doha Goals Forum

2014

Competed at the 2014 Nedbank National Athletics Championships where he blitzed to gold in the 100m with a time of 17.02 seconds and took silver in the long jump

2013

Ambassador for the Jumping Kids Prosthetic Fund at Avis Cares Event, Warrior Race Series StepUp500 Challenge, Exhibition Race at Nedbank SASAPD National Para Athletics Championships, Celebrity Cycle Tour

2012

Starred in a ZDF German Television production focused on the Jumping Kids initiative

In September 2012, Ntando is fitted with his first mobility solution at an event sponsored by Avis South Africa in collaboration with Icexpress Progressive Prosthetics and the Jumping Kids Prosthetic Fund

Ntando undergoes a bilateral through-knee amputation at Steve Biko Academic Hospital in Pretoria