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08 April 2019 | Story Ruan Bruwer
Danie Breitenbach and Oratile Molale
Danie Breitenbach (left) and his guide, Oratile Molale. Breitenbach ran two South African records shortly after each other.

Before the event, he didn’t think it was possible to set two new national track records within 18 hours, but he gained so much confidence after the first win that Danie Breitenbach decided to simply go for it.

With the help of his guide, Oratile Molale, the final-year Law student at the University of the Free State bettered his own South African records in the 800 m (2:05,04) and 1 500 m (4:25.59) in the T11 category (completely blind athletes). This was at the SASAPD National Championships for physically disabled and visually impaired athletes in Stellenbosch. His previous records were set in 2017.

“I struggled with various injuries over a period of two and a half years, during which I never managed to gain my top form. Since January, I was able to train injury-free. I was confident that I could improve on my 800 m record of 2:08,90. Having had such a great first race gave me the confidence to give the 1 500 m record a go the next morning,” Breitenbach (24) said.

With no 800 m event at the Paralympic Games or the World Championships, he is hoping to qualify in the 1 500 m for next year’s Paralympic Games. “I will have to improve on my time, as they are only taking about the top-five in the world. I’m sure I can go quicker with another couple of months of training.”

“I’ve been to a few international events, but these two records will rate among my best achievements. I compete in the 400 m, 800 m, and 1 500 m, but the 800 m is my favourite. I enjoy the balance between speed and endurance.”

Breitenbach was born with limited vision, but at the age of ten became completely blind after suffering a retinal release.

News Archive

Centre for Africa Studies concludes ANC Centenary Dialogue series
2013-02-20

 

Attending the closing seminar were from left: Prof Chris Saunders, Editor of the ANC Centenary dialogue book; Vincent Khetha from the Free State Provincial Government’s Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation; Prof Kwesi Prah; Siphamandla Zondi, Editor of the ANC Centenary dialogue book; Dr Dennis Goldberg and Prof Kwandiwe Kondlo.
Photo: Steffi Cawood
20 February 2013

Speech:"The future of South Africa in Africa" (pdf)

The Centre for Africa Studies received praise for the series of dialogues it hosted on the ruling ANC party, conversations which started before the party held its 53rd National Conference on our Bloemfontein Campus.

The Centre recently hosted the last seminar in the ANC Centenary Dialogue series, a project which started in November 2010 when the ruling party prepared for its centenary celebrations in 2012.

Prof Kwandiwe Kondlo, former Head of the Centre, and currently professor at the University of Johannesburg, told guests at the closing seminar, "it was a job well done which kept dialogue going on". Prof Kondlo said a book with a collection of papers presented during the series is being finalised, with senior ANC officials expected to attend the book launch on the Bloemfontein Campus later this year. The book features chapters by scholars like Profs Stephen Ellis, Shireen Hassim, Colin Bundy and Ben Turok and covers topics on the role of women in the liberation struggle, the party's economic policy and the history of the party in exile.

Speakers at the closing seminar included Prof Kwesi Prah, whom Prof Kondlo introduced as "one of Afica's intellectual giants,” struggle veteran, Dr Dennis Goldberg and the new Head of the Centre for Africa Studies, Prof Heidi Hudson.

Prof Prah, who delivered the keynote address, spoke about "The future of South Africa in Africa."

 

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