News24 | He lost his legs at birth. Now he can change his family’s life through sport in France

• Sphelele Dlamini’s disability grant of R2 180 is the primary source of income for his mom, siblings and aunt in KwaMashu, Durban.
• He had his legs amputated after birth due to medical complications, but this hasn’t stopped the resilient 29-year-old from pursuing a life of purpose, becoming a professional wheelchair basketball player determined to change his family’s lives.
• A French Division One club has offered him a contract for one year, and he is asking for assistance from the public to make his dream come true.

When Sphelele Dlamini first received a one-year offer from French basketball club CTH Lannion, he was over the moon.

The 29-year-old Sphelele is a wheelchair basketball player who has spent two prior seasons in France in lower division clubs on short-term contracts.

But CTH Lannion play in the top tier, and this is his chance to put himself in line to secure a professional contract.

If he does, he won’t just be fulfilling the dream of a 10-year-old amputee boy who fell in love with basketball. It would also help his seven family members - mom, siblings and aunt - who live primarily on his R2 180 disability grant in the Durban township of KwaMashu.

“I was so excited because it’s a club close to my heart and a team I’ve been following for a while and have always wanted to be a part of,” he told News24 this week.

“I’ve had conversations with the coach several times and have been in contact with the club for years.”

A valiant effort and a dream within reach

Sphelele lost his legs before he had memory, when doctors seeing to his mom’s pregnancy realised his legs were not growing in the correct position and advised amputation.

Now, almost three decades later, this latest chance has been the realisation of a five-year plan for Sphelele. His goal over the last two years was to achieve promotion for his club playing in the lower divisions.

Now this new offer gets him into the eyes of the first division, which is televised.

“The main goal is to go and showcase that South Africa does have talent and we also deserve to play at that level in terms of our sport,” he said.

“We don’t have those kinds of opportunities in terms of space. So, me going up is taking a step to show the world that we can also play at that level.”

His new club has offered to pay for his accommodation from September to June, as well as team travel, meals and medical insurance. He is asking for assistance from the public to help cover the rest of his expenses.

So far, he has made a valiant effort, raising R80 000 towards a target of R200 000 on BackaBuddy. This will help cover flights, insurance and visa costs, but he hopes to raise a bit more to see him through the twists and turns of the year.

Getting to forget, allowed to feel confident

Sphelele has always known a life without his legs, but recalls what he knows about his condition at birth, describing his limbs as being ‘upside down’.

“To my understanding, there were two options, either I could be in a wheelchair or get prosthetic legs. But most of the doctors, just before birth, they knew that my legs were not in a normal condition, and their advice was to amputate them so I can be able to ‘walk’ again [through prosthesis].”

Since then, life has not been without struggles, but sport opened up a world where he can live out his desires.

“Life has been quite challenging being disabled. It’s also expensive, and you’re limited in terms of access to equipment… even opportunities, it’s limited.

“But for me, one of the things that changed my life is attending the special schools I went to and being introduced to sports. It made life a bit easier and better for me.”

This was in 2008, when he was 10 at RP Moodley Primary School and later Open Air High School. For him, basketball was more than just a sport, it was an entry into a new world for a disabled boy.

“I get to forget about my challenges and struggles. On the court, I get to forget about all of those things. It also gives me confidence.”

Sphelele’s now hoping that love, which turned into competitive drive, realises itself fully as a means to provide for himself and his family, while also putting SA wheelchair sports in the spotlight.

‘Showing up the only way to step forward’

He also praised the role of Jumping Kids, an organisation that assists amputees, because he has an opportunity to use higher quality prosthetics. “I no longer have to worry about equipment, I’m able to worry about my life and goals.”

Jumping Kids also will be putting up the safety deposit fee he requires to apply for a visa, he added.

With a new opportunity awaiting, Sphelele was asked what gets him through when chasing his dreams.

“I always look back at the things I’ve gone through. I didn’t know if I would come through them. They’ve always been a reminder, and because of that I always believe things are going to be better tomorrow. I spend a lot of time in prayer too.”

And finally, to those also chasing a dream, he said this…

“It’s just to believe in the dream you’re chasing. It’s also to show up. Even if it’s just taking a step forward... the only things that can take you to the next level is showing up, each and every day.”

To support Sphelele, visit his BackaBuddy page here: Sphelele’s BackaBuddy.

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