Rain? What rain?

Despite heavy rains during the past two days, the Sport Heroes have doggedly been running along their predetermined route through Lephalale, Marken and Mokopane. Although all of them were drenced to the bone, none had complaints, the worst being having to stop by their accommodation to change into dry clothes before starting the day. Even so, the limited visibility due to the rain as well as foggy conditions made running on the side of the road a dangerous affair, even though the runners are all trailed by either their own or traffic vehicles.

In both Marken and Mokopane the coaching clinics had to be cancelled to a large extent, because of wet fields. In both places however large groups of children had gathered to welcome the Heroes at community halls, and they were well rewarded by SRSA’s handout of soccer balls, and a few basic instructions from the Heroes.

The Heroes were particularly well received in Mokopane, where the local municipality looked after their every need. It seemed that the whole town’s police and traffic force were commandeered as they personal body guard, trailing them everywhere and making sure they’re safe on the wet and dangerous roads.

Councillors from Mokopane accepting their sport equipment from SRSA's Kanyane Mohlala.

In addition they were treated to a gala dinner by the municipality at a Mokopane hotel. SRSA handed over sports equipment to the municpality amid much jubilation. Later on the event turned into a birthday party for soccer star Veronica Budu Phewa, who got a huge, surprise birthday cake. Counting the number of candles on the cake, She managed to blow all of the candles out in one go, even though, when counting them, I thought she was a little young to be an international football player!

The Sport Heroes Walk Against HIV/AIDS has now been going for almost a week. What is impressive is the quiet dedication of the Heroes, never complaining about anything. When there’s a task at hand, they simply fall in and do their best. This is what makes them true Heroes – the willingness to sacrifice almost three weeks of their time to share their skills and insights with less priviledged communities.

Next on the stopover list is Lebowakgomo. It’s a short 60km drive there from Mokopane, and anyway, the Heroes stopped about thirty kilometers on the other side of the town, so they’re once again well ahead of schedule.

And let’s hope the rain keeps to the evening hours, so the Heroes can stay dry during the day.