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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

RSG Crossword Tournament helps to celebrate language
2016-07-27

Description: RSG Crossword Tournament Tags: RSG Crossword Tournament

Dr Annette de Wet (left), Assistant Director
of the Unit for Language Development in
the Centre for Teaching and Learning at
the UFS, Albe Grobbelaar from XWord,
Prof Angelique van Niekerk, Head of the
Department of Afrikaans and Dutch, German
and French, and Prof Lucius Botes, Dean of the
Faculty of the Humanities, during the launch
of the RSG Crossword Tournament.
Photo: Jóhann Thormählen

Sometimes it is difficult for language departments to be topical and to show their relevance for the people out there. However, with the RSG Crossword Tournament, this became possible and Afrikaans could be celebrated in a positive manner. This is what Prof Angelique van Niekerk, Head of the Department of Afrikaans and Dutch, German and French at the University of the Free State (UFS), had to say about this initiative.

Interest during the Vrystaat Arts Festival exceeded all expectations. Altogether, 46 participants from across the country participated on 15 and 16 July 2016. Ilse van Hemert from Pretoria was crowned as the first South African crossword champion.

New dimension to language milieu

Prof Van Niekerk said people are familiar with crossword puzzles from the media, and it was the first time that a tournament like this was presented to the public in South Africa. “This tournament brings something like linguistics and linguistic sensitivity to the fore,” she said. “It is another dimension of the language milieu.” This is exactly why her department would like to see it grow in future.

Wordplay serves as inspiration

The idea for the tournament is based loosely on the film, Wordplay (2006), which is set in New York, and the annual New York Times Crossword Tournament. The South African Tournament was presented in conjunction with the crossword group, XWord, Prof Van Niekerk’s department, and the radio station RSG as brand sponsor.

Crossword puzzles and blockbusters crosswords completed

“This tournament brings something like
linguistics and linguistic sensitivity to
the fore.”


Albe Grobbelaar from XWord said the winners were determined on a points basis. “Competitors had to complete two crossword puzzles and one blockbuster crossword. The difference between the two is that a blockbuster’s clues are within the blocks or grid, but with the crossword, you have white and black blocks with the clues separate on the outside.”

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