The Power of Sport: Uniting South Africa and Uplifting the Nation's Spirit

The Paralympic team also brought home six medals, with Simone Kruger and Mpumelelo Mhlongo securing two golds and four bronze medals in total.

Sport has an incredible ability to bring people together, transcending differences in race, creed, or colour. A recent post on the official South African Government X account, managed by the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS), highlighted this when swimmer Tatjana Smith’s gold medal win in the women’s 100m breaststroke at the 2024 Olympics garnered 68,144 impressions. Additionally, the post saw 65,794 engagements on Facebook, while a post about Team South Africa’s silver medal in the men’s 4x100m relay at the same Olympics attracted 50,104 impressions on X and 12,211 engagements on Facebook.

Despite challenges such as inequality and unemployment, sport plays a vital role in uniting South Africans. Deputy President Paul Mashatile, acting as president at the time, highlighted this in his congratulatory message to athletes, saying that sport has a “unique ability to bring South Africans together and uplift the nation's spirit, even amidst our challenges.”

This spirit of unity is evident in the accomplishments of athletes like sprinter Mpumelelo Mhlongo, who won gold in his 100m event at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games, and Bayanda Walaza, who made history by becoming the fastest young man on earth during a competition in Peru.

Mashatile’s sentiments echo the words of President Nelson Mandela, who, in his speech at the first Laureus World Sports Awards in 2000, stated that sport has the “power to inspire” and the “power to unite people in a way that little else does.”

Before South Africa’s democracy, sport was one of the many activities restricted by apartheid policies. Today, all South Africans, regardless of race, are free to pursue their sporting passions. However, the conclusion of the 2024 Paralympic and Olympic Games brings mixed emotions, as fans will have to wait until 2028 to witness similar feats of human strength and resilience. Despite this, South Africans can celebrate the six medals earned by athletes in various sports, including Tatjana Smith’s gold, three silvers, and Jo-Ane van Dyk’s javelin throw performance.

The Paralympic team also brought home six medals, with Simone Kruger and Mpumelelo Mhlongo securing two golds and four bronze medals in total. A notable development is that Paralympians received equal monetary incentives as their Olympic counterparts, showing that athletes with disabilities are receiving the recognition they deserve.

South Africa’s National Sport and Recreation Plan (NSRP) emphasizes the importance of promoting inclusion, particularly for people with disabilities. The achievements of para-athletes serve as a reminder that anyone can reach their dreams, inspiring those living with disabilities to embrace their abilities and showcase their talents on the global stage.

The Paralympic movement has grown since its humble beginnings in 1960, when the first Paralympic Games featured only 23 nations. Now, with 168 countries participating in the 2024 Paralympic Games, it is clear that society is learning more about both the sporting abilities of para-athletes and how to better support people living with disabilities.

Even as the Paralympic and Olympic Games come to an end, the power of sport continues to shine. The Springboks, South Africa’s rugby team, secured a victory in their second clash against the All Blacks in the 2024 Castle Lager Rugby Championship, while the Springbok Women triumphed against the Barbarians Women. On the football field, Bafana Bafana, South Africa’s national men’s team, drew 2-2 against Uganda in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier.

While Bafana Bafana has faced challenges, the team’s recent performance shows their determination to succeed. Coach Hugo Broos previously raised concerns about the lack of fan support at matches, but with the AFCON qualifiers on the horizon, South Africans have an opportunity to rally behind their team.

As fans, we hold the power to inspire our teams to victory, fostering a sense of national pride. Just as South Africa is a diverse nation, we should celebrate all athletes and sporting codes, embracing the variety that sport brings to our lives. After all, every moment of success—whether on the field, the track, or in the pool—adds spice to the rich tapestry of South African life.