Latest news with #PfanoUngedzani
The Citizen
05-07-2025
- Health
- The Citizen
Athlete runs 448km, dreams of sports facility to combat GBV
After running 448km from Pretoria to Thohoyandou in just 12 days to raise awareness about GBV, 26-year-old Pfano Ungedzani has spoken of his dream to ensure a sports facility is available as a safe haven for children. His goal to build a sports complex is to avoid the violence and substance abuse that often pave the way in the lead up to GBV. 'My goals for the future include having enough support to build a sports complex where children can engage in sports activities and stay away from violent street activities and substance abuse. 'GBV starts at an early age when children are exposed to such harmful environments. They grow up with the idea that overpowering someone or using violence is the best solution to every problem. This mindset has to change, and I believe sport is a powerful tool to do that,' explained Ungedzani. On June 1, Ungedzani began to run from Hatfield in Pretoria to Thavhani Mall in Thohoyandou, Limpopo, his home turf, with a message too urgent to ignore: enough is enough. Born and raised in the rural village of Tshidzini near Thohoyandou, Ungedzani said he is no stranger to hardship. From selling his phone to afford transport to competitions, to sleeping at a petrol station due to a lack of accommodation, his journey has been marked by persistence, poverty, and purpose. Now ranked 38th in South Africa in the 400m event with a personal best of 48.3 seconds, he's set his sights on the Olympics. His 12-day journey was more than a physical test – it was a mental and spiritual battle. He recalled how difficult the first day was. 'I was losing hope. The heat was intense; the temperature was above mild when I started running at 8:00. I remember repeatedly asking my team to stop because the pain was overwhelming. 'But they kept reminding me of the reason behind this journey, the fight against GBV and that gave me the strength to push forward.' The challenges continued throughout the run. He said there were moments when he felt like collapsing. 'Each time, I turned to God and prayed for strength. One night in particular, I had to keep running through the freezing cold early morning hours. I didn't want to leave the warmth of my bed because it was the only time my wounds felt less painful. 'But thanks to encouragement from my friend Mr Magoma, who told me to 'take it like a man,' I managed to build the mental resilience needed to continue.' Despite the hardships, the overwhelming support from communities along the route kept his spirits high. He said the support he received was phenomenal and he felt like a town hero in many places as people cheered him on, gave him gifts, held up banners and signs, and showed encouragement on social media. Ungedzani said near the end of the journey, some even ran alongside him, and that fuelled his determination to finish strong. 'If we can come together and put violence aside, we can build a safer, more secure South Africa where everyone can live without fear for themselves or their loved ones. It all starts with us, in our homes and communities, to create a nation free of violence.' The athlete hopes his initiative will attract government support and partnerships that will bring his vision to life. 'Building a sports complex is more than just about sports. It's about giving children and young people a place to belong, to grow, and to learn healthy ways of expressing themselves. 'When children are engaged in positive activities, they are less likely to be drawn into violence or substance abuse, both of which are root causes of GBV.' Limpopo Premier Phophi Ramathuba said Ungedzani's journey is a powerful act of activism aimed at raising awareness around the devastating scourge of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF). Ramathuba applauded his bravery and determination. 'Ungedzani's selfless act is more than just a race, it is a bold statement against a national crisis. His courage, resilience, and sense of social responsibility are commendable. We are proud of him and hope his actions ignite a movement of youth-led activism in the fight against GBVF.' Ramathuba emphasised that it is through such inspiring grassroots initiatives that communities can be mobilised and awareness amplified. Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to [email protected] or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
30-05-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Athlete to run almost 450km from Pretoria to Thohoyandou in aid of ending GBV
Athlete to run almost 450km from Pretoria to Thohoyandou in aid of ending GBV At just 26 years old, Pfano Ungedzani is lacing up not just for a run, but for an anti-GBV mission that spans nearly 450km, many towns, and the broken hearts of South Africans. On Sunday, June 1, the rising athlete will begin a seven-day run from Hatfield in Pretoria to Thavhani Mall in Thohoyandou, Limpopo, his home turf, with a message too urgent to ignore: enough is enough. Born and raised in the rural village of Tshidzini near Thohoyandou, Ungedzani is no stranger to hardship. From selling his phone to afford transport to competitions, to sleeping at a petrol station due to a lack of accommodation, his journey has been marked by persistence, poverty, and purpose. Now ranked 38th in South Africa in the 400m event with a personal best of 48.3 seconds, he's set his sights on the Olympics. But before chasing gold, he's running for justice. Ungedzani's running journey began at Tshamutshedzi Primary School in 2008. 'I participated in school athletics, and I would always win at the circuit level,' he said. His early talent saw him climb the competitive ladder to district and provincial levels, where he ran at the iconic Old Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane. His early years lacked access to facilities and exposure. 'There were limited opportunities for track events in my village,' he said. But moving to Pretoria in 2021 changed everything. Training first with Masai Club under the watchful eye of Olympic champion Caster Semenya, Ungedzani soon caught the attention of the University of Pretoria's athletics team. 'Joining UP motivated me to love running even more. 'Now, my dream is to represent South Africa on the world stage.' Growing up, Ungedzani idolised sprinters like Akani Simbine and Usain Bolt. Meeting Simbine in person was a moment of inspiration, confirming to Ungedzani that greatness was within reach. Today, he channels that same spirit of excellence into his training and advocacy, hoping to shave off three seconds to qualify for the Olympics. 'The GBV crisis in South Africa is horrifying. Femicide rates are five times higher than the global average. I've seen friends, family and neighbours suffer in silence. I couldn't just sit back. 'This run is my way of saying 'no more'.' Ungedzani's upcoming journey will see him running about 64km per day for seven consecutive days. He'll pass through towns, townships, and rural landscapes that mirror the one he grew up in. While he begins alone in Pretoria, he expects to be joined by fellow runners around Polokwane. 'The risks are real: injuries, dehydration, exhaustion, but I've trained for this. I have a physiotherapist travelling with me. I'm doing this for something bigger than myself.' Challenges still remain, such as accommodation, which has only been secured for two out of seven nights. He hopes new sponsors or supporters will come on board in time. He believes in the power of sport to address gender-based violence (GBV) and substance abuse, another crisis affecting youth in his community. 'Sports build confidence, discipline, and community. They help people make better choices and give them something to believe in,' he said. After the run, he plans to launch a non-profit organisation to provide training, mentorship, and resources to aspiring young athletes from disadvantaged backgrounds. 'We'll be a support system for those who need it most. My goal is to create a space where young people can thrive, athletically and personally. 'I want young people, especially those from rural areas like mine, to know their dreams are valid. No matter the obstacles, believe in yourself,' he said. ALSO READ: Times Square turns International Burger Day into month-long celebration Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to bennittb@ or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
