Latest news with #HopeSchool
The Citizen
05-08-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Hope School learner represents SA at World Boccia Championships in Egypt
In a powerful display of perseverance and passion, Sheena Nonhlanhla Hwami, a learner at Hope School in Westcliff, proudly represented South Africa at the World Boccia Africa Regional Championships in Cairo, Egypt, held from July 29 to August 3. Read more: Hope School learner competes for SA at World Wheelchair Basketball Championship Boccia (pronounced bot-cha) is a precision ball sport designed for athletes with severe physical disabilities. Played indoors on a smooth court, the game challenges players to throw or roll coloured balls as close as possible to a small white ball, the jack. It demands not only physical control but also sharp strategy and focus. Players are grouped into classes BC1 to BC4, with Sheena competing in the BC3 category, which includes athletes who use assistive devices to play. Born with muscular dystrophy, Sheena has never let her condition define her. She first encountered boccia in primary school, though she admits it took time to fully grasp the rules and spirit of the game. It was only in high school that her passion truly took root. 'It wasn't easy at all,' she shared. 'But determination, consistency, and hard work became my priorities. This accomplishment is the result of that effort. I am truly grateful for the opportunities I have been given and for the words of encouragement: 'Never give up. You never know how far you can go; just keep pushing forward.' At the Cairo championships, Sheena made her international debut. Despite a tough opening match against fellow South African Elanza Jordaan, which ended in a loss, Sheena bounced back with impressive composure. In her second game, she secured a narrow but inspiring 3–2 win over Tunisia's Ben Laou Lina. 'Reaching the point where I could represent my country was a proud moment for me,' said Sheena. 'The fact that I could do it again reminded me of what I'm capable of.' Sheena's journey is just beginning, but her spirit and success already speak volumes. In a world where ability is often defined by expectation, she continues to move beyond limits, one ball at a time. Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration!
The Citizen
05-07-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Hope School learner competes for SA at World Wheelchair Basketball Championship
Sicelimpilo Sibisi, a matric learner at Hope School in Westcliff, recently represented South Africa at the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF) Men's U23 Wheelchair Basketball World Championship in Brazil. Read more: Self-driving taxi for wheelchair users wins design award Born with Proximal Femoral Focal Deficiency, a rare condition affecting the growth of the lower limbs, Sicelimpilo has faced many challenges from a young age. After struggling in mainstream schools due to limited accessibility, he joined Hope School in Grade 7, where he found the support and understanding he needed. In Grade 8, he was introduced to wheelchair basketball and quickly fell in love with the sport. With hard work and commitment, he earned a place in the national U23 team, competing in Egypt, Libya, and, most recently, Brazil. 'Sport has taught me discipline, and that I don't have to do everything alone.' Now back home, Sicelimpilo hopes to inspire other young people living with disabilities. He dreams of growing his sporting career and raising awareness about inclusion and accessibility. 'Having a disability isn't the end; it's just the beginning of doing things differently.' Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! Have a story idea? We'd love to hear from you – join our WhatsApp group and share your thoughts! At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
