STRIDING INTO THE FUTURE WITH PRODIGAL KHUMALO

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. The MRP Foundation is a youth development organisation which aims to empower less privileged South African youth through quality education and skills development.

The MRP Foundation has 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.