Not many athletes manage to encourage positive change in other people’s lives while wrestling with their own setbacks.
Tuks mountain biker William Mokgopo is one of the unique few who are able to do so. This is no surprise, after he was nominated in the prestigious Sports Personality of the Year category for the Gauteng Sports Awards.
Mokgopo may well think back to 2018 as his annus horribilis year in his racing career.
All was going well for Mokgopo as he managed to finish a World Cup cross country race for the first time, and completed his sixth Cape Epic.
Although everything pointed to him having a perfect season, Mokgopo got sick and never really recovered.
‘Till today, no one can diagnose what is wrong with me. Every time I start to train, I get sick. It’s really frustrating,’ said the Tuks rider, who represented South Africa at a number of World Championships.
However, just as it seemed like Mokgopo was complaining, he changed topic during an interview, saying that the last thing he wants is to be perceived as being a martyr.
‘As athletes, we need to be honest with ourselves as to who we really are. We tend to be selfish when in our prime and often it’s just about what we want. We hardly consider taking the feelings or desires of the people around us. It’s only after an athlete has retired, they might think of giving back.
‘I don’t want to be like that,’ Mokgopo added. ‘One of my passions is to help nurture young upcoming athletes. I grew up in Diepsloot and when you are from the township, it’s literally like being in a box.
‘Cycling showed me that there is more to life and forced me to adapt to life outside of the township. And for that, I’ll be forever grateful.
‘This is the reason I’m constantly encouraging youngsters not to give up on their dreams. As far as I’m concerned, a life without dreams is a life not worth living. Having a goal does not mean it has to be about being a champion in some sport. It can be in anything, as I am equally as passionate about my studies,’ explained the BSc Sports Science student.
According to Mokgopo, giving back has its own unique rewards. ‘I often get messages of encouragement from the youngsters I’m trying to help. They don’t know how much it means to me, it’s like extra motivation,’ said Mokgopo.
One of the most special moments for Mokgopo was being at a press conference a few years back with a fellow mountain biker, Lebo Pebane, who is also from Diepsloot.
She told the story of how she fell pregnant at 16, and at the time it felt like her life had come to an end. She shared how, after giving birth to her baby boy, she received a visit from Mokgopo, who convinced her to return to the sport she had been participating in since she was 11.
His encouragement led her to not only represent South Africa at the 2014 Youth Olympic Games, but also to finish matric and study at the University of Johannesburg.
‘I didn’t realise at the time how much my visit and words meant to Lebo,’ Mokgopo said.
The Sports Personality of the Year winner is determined by public vote. To vote for Mokgopo, SMS ‘Sport 06’ to 49497. Voting closes at 5pm on 2 September.
Photo: Mokgopo at the TUKS Cycling Student Cup, by Sinead Wannenburg