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Natalie du Toit left leg was amputated below the knee in 2001. She has gone on to compete against – and often beat – able-bodied swimmers at the highest level. At 16, she nearly qualified for the 2000 Sydney Olympics in three events. People sensed great things were in store for the strong, determined swimmer; […]
Natalie du Toit left leg was amputated below the knee in 2001. She has gone on to compete against – and often beat – able-bodied swimmers at the highest level.
At 16, she nearly qualified for the 2000 Sydney Olympics in three events. People sensed great things were in store for the strong, determined swimmer; in 2004, Athens would become her playground.
Then in 2001, those plans abruptly changed. Having completed her morning workout, Natalie eased her motor scooter into Monday rush-hour traffic and headed to school.
Just down the street from her pool, a careless driver exiting a parking lot ran directly into Natalie’s left leg. The scene was gruesome; the devastation was immediately obvious: “I kept saying, ‘I’ve lost my leg, I’ve lost my leg“. Her team mates rushed to her. Traffic snarled. The scene: total, horrible chaos. A motorcycle policeman racing to the accident crashed headfirst into a truck and had to be airlifted to a hospital.
The tragedy of life does not lie in not reaching your goals;
the tragedy of life lies in not having goals to reach for.
It is not a disgrace not to reach for the stars,
but it is a disgrace not to have stars to reach for.
‘Swim your own race!’
What Natalie du Toit has done (and is still busy doing) to overcome her adversity and the lessons she’s learned along the way, she believes holds true regardless of one’s age, sex, race, religion, nationality or financial standing. It all comes from self-belief – an exceptionally powerful tool, if we could just learn how to use it correctly every day.
Since her accident, Natalie du Toit switched to longer events – from 200m and 400m individual medley to 800m and 1 500m freestyle – to make up for her loss of speed with only one leg. But she made no adjustment to her mental outlook!
Since then, she has become one of the most successful disabled athletes of all times and an inspiration to many!
Natalie du Toit goal was to compete as an able-bodied swimmer at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. This goal materialized on the 20 August 2008, when she competed in the 10km ladies open water marathon, in Shunyi.
The five Gold Medals at the 2008 Paralympic Games made Natalie du Toit the most successful athlete in South Africa. She was further awarded the Whan Youn Dai Achievement Award.
This award is presented to 2 athletes, one male and one female athlete and is given to people with disability who have achieved excellence through exceptional performances in sport and life.
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Meet Lorne Sulcas – The Big Cat Guy, an unconventional motivational speaker who stands out from the crowd. With a career spanning since 1996, Lorne Sulcas has graced some of the world’s most prestigious stages, captivating audiences with his unique approach to motivational speaking. His presentations, under the banner of Thriving in a Wild World™, […]
Phumzile Chifunyise is the Founder of The Crop Box and CEO of GreenNatives Pty Ltd, a Skills, Enterprise and Supplier Development agency aimed at designing and implementing disruptive, impactful strategies that provide small businesses with access to expertise, growth opportunities, and markets across industries. The purpose of Green Natives is to advance the presence and […]
Desiree-Anne Martin believes in the inherent ability of anyone to change. Her mantra is that there is hope, always, and she is a Change Catalyst and Inspirational Speaker. Desiree-Anne is a prize-winning published author and poet. Her writing on racial identification, GBV, the myths of parenthood, sex and feminism has appeared in numerous print anthologies […]
Al Prodgers is a multifaceted professional, sought after as both a leadership and talent developer and a stand-up comedian, whose strategic focus revolves around constructive conversations and spontaneous speaking across South Africa. With a unique blend of humor, insight, and practical wisdom, Al brings a refreshing perspective to leadership development, talent cultivation, and corporate events. […]
Having enjoyed an illustrious career that has cemented Colonel Ron Garan place as one of the world’s most influential individuals, the iconic father of three is a decorated NASA astronaut, fighter pilot and test pilot, a humanitarian, and a social entrepreneur. As part of a select group of individuals who have been fortunate enough to […]
Rusty Labuschagne is a captivating professional speaker renowned for his profound insights on overcoming adversity. His story is one of resilience, faith, and redemption—a journey that resonates deeply with audiences worldwide. With sincerity and humility, Rusty shares a dramatic account of his transformational experience, leaving a lasting impact on all who hear his message. In […]
Riaan Manser is the epitome of courage and determination, he has re-written the definition of tenacity over the past 20 years. Riaan rose to prominence by becoming the first person to cycle around the perimeter of Africa. For over two years, alone and unaided, Riaan pedalled a staggering 37 000 km’s through 34 different countries, […]
Corne Krige is a former Springbok rugby captain and the owner of an outdoor advertising company and author of his autobiography, Right Place at the Wrong Time. Born in Zambia, where his parents still live, Corné was schooled in South Africa at Paarl Boys High. He currently lives in Cape Town with his wife and […]
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