The Comrades Marathon gold medalist spent time encouraging learners from Aldinville Senior Primary School to participate in sporting activities.
CHAMPIONS IN LIFE: Learners at Aldinville Senior Primary School in Groutville, KwaDukuza, (from left to right) Bongeka Ngcobo, Liyanda Gumede, Siyamthanda Makhanya and Nombuso Mthiyane pictured with Comrades Marathon gold medalist Prodigal Khumalo and his winner’s trophy from the recent Ultra-Trail Cape Town. Picture: MRP Foundation / Pierre Tostee
Comrades Marathon double-gold medalist, trail runner and multi-award winner Prodigal Khumalo, inspired learners with his motivational advice at the Aldinville Senior Primary School in Groutville, KwaDukuza, North of Durban last Thursday, 18 January.
Zimbabwean-born Khumalo addressed the enthusiastic group of learners in isiZulu, emphasising the importance of discipline, work and practice in all aspects of life. “You must know what you want to achieve in life and focus on getting it. Do whatever you have to do, and give it your very best,” he advised. He highlighted that despite the many challenges and obstacles he faced, he overcame them in order achieve his many successes.
Khumalo, the brand ambassador for MRP Sport’s Maxed, is now based in Inanda, where he is involved in a sports development club for disadvantaged youth.
“Coming from an underprivileged community, it’s a really rewarding experience to be involved with children from a similar background; to give them hope so that they can believe in themselves. I would love to help them develop in sport, especially running,” said the accomplished athlete.
Aldinville Senior Primary School is one of the oldest schools in the province. Founded in 1844 by Aldin Grout, it’s most famous scholar was Nobel Peace Prize winner Chief Albert Luthuli who was the first African to ever win the prestigious award. The school is one of five no-fee schools in the KwaDukuza Municipality, and has been a part of the MRP Foundation’s schools programme since 2010.
As a youth development organisation that aims to empower less privileged South African youth through quality education and skills development we’ve successfully implemented a physical education (PE) curriculum, arts and technology programmes as well as educator and parent development programmes at the school.
School principal, Thulani Khumalo said, “A healthy mind is important, but having a healthy mind inside a healthy body is even more important.” He expressed his gratitude to MRP Foundation and Prodigal Khumalo for their roles in contributing towards learner development at his school.
“MRP Sport is privileged to be part of Mr Price Group’s “Together We Do Good” initiative, and we acknowledge that a sustainable future for our country is only possible when we work together,” said Dylan Cherry, MRP Sport Marketing Manager.
“We teamed up with Prodigal Khumalo and the MRP Foundation to inspire Grade 6 learners at Aldinville Primary to share Prodigal’s extraordinary story of passion and commitment. Prodigal is not only an accomplished athlete but he has also played a significant role in the development of the Maxed Marathon Racer shoe which helped him to win gold in the Comrades Marathon.”
