How Sandile Turns Grit Into Purpose
There are moments in sports that are impossible to quantify. These moments manifest as inner triumphs driven by determination, resilience, and a strong desire to succeed, rather than being measured by time records or race outcomes.
One such occasion for Sandile Mkhize is the Wings for Life World Run. Initially a personal test, the Wings for Life World Run has transformed into a worldwide event with no definitive endpoint, symbolising a commitment to a cause.
Sandile, renowned for his unwavering positivity, sharp mind, and relentless determination, offers a grounded yet inspiring outlook from his wheelchair. Before the 2025 race, we spoke with him about mindset, preparation, and the deeper significance of each push forward.
Sandile, you've described the Wings for Life World Run as a powerful turning point in your life. What does your physical preparation look like in the weeks leading up to the run?
I've been prioritising my mental health and mobility lately, so I've been stretching a lot more and spending time pushing myself on the track rather than going to the gym like I normally do. I have been enjoying that a lot.
Mental resilience has been such a strong theme in your story. How do you mentally prepare for a challenge like the Wings for Life World Run?
I am fortunate to have done the race before, so I draw on that experience. As hard as it will be, as I will be pushing myself to the limits, I will simply tell myself that I have done this before, I achieved this goal before, and nothing is stopping me from doing it again.
Do you have any pre-race rituals or routines—music, meditation, or mantras — that help you lock in your focus before the start?
I have two routines; I spend a little bit of time meditating before the race when I have alone time, and the other is simply greeting and giving out as many high-fives as I can to people at the start of the race. That gives me so much energy, and it is a way for me to acknowledge and thank people for participating.
How do you adapt your training to ensure your upper body stays strong, especially since your wheelchair is your engine during the race?
As I mentioned this year, I am doing a lot more pushing in my chair on a track, rather than
weight training, because overall, I want to improve my endurance rather than my strength.
Has your approach to fitness changed over the years, especially now that you're running for a cause bigger than yourself?
My approach to fitness has been very consistent. However, I place a lot more emphasis on
holistic training now, rather than having either strength or aesthetic goals. The idea now is to live well and to enjoy my body, and that means I need to take care of its needs.
What role do community, friends, family, and fellow participants play in your preparation and motivation for race day?
The people around you and the people that you love will always amplify anything that you are trying to do in life. The race always allows me to spend time with the people that I love, and they always give me that extra push when my arms feel like they cannot push anymore.
How do you manage your energy and pacing during the run, especially knowing there's no set finish line and the Catcher Car is always in pursuit?
Honestly, I do not have a plan to manage energy, even though I should. My only goal is just to keep moving. However, I have noticed that over the years, when people do see me struggling, people do offer to push me as the race continues, which is amazing, and it's always nice to meet new people on the run.
For someone who may be nervous about participating for the first time, especially in a wheelchair, what advice would you give to help them prepare physically and emotionally?
I would say that it is okay to be nervous, and no one is fully prepared for anything when it comes to this race. The only thing you need to do is show up. And because of its adaptive nature, anybody can participate. So, you don't have to feel that you are physically unprepared. Emotionally, I would say it is one of the best things one can do for themselves, because you will be meeting amazing people and people who have similar struggles to you, which is always a good thing.
Do you think moments like Wings for Life help shift the perception of disability in
society, and how do you personally contribute to that shift through your participation?
I think it shifts perspective because it is a constant reminder to people who may not be exposed to people with disabilities that there is more than one way to be human. Once you experience different kinds of people, it allows you to be empathetic and to be part of the solution, rather than the problem, when it comes to overcoming obstacles people may face.
You've said, 'Wherever you think your possibilities stop, you're wrong.' What does pushing those boundaries look like for you in 2025 and beyond?
Moving forward, I will be a lot more active in my community while upskilling in some of my technical work. Eventually, I would like to train people with disabilities to acquire tech skills to secure good jobs and careers.
Sandile is carrying more than just the strength he has developed on the track as he prepares for another Wings for Life World Run; he is carrying a movement, a message, and a mission. He challenges preconceptions, motivates action, and demonstrates that boundaries — physical or otherwise — are only as real as we let them be with each wheel push.
"Wherever you think your possibilities stop, you're wrong," he said. And as he confidently enters 2025, it's evident that Sandile is bringing about change rather than merely pursuing it.
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