South African Paralympian Mpumelelo Mhlongo, a three-time world record holder, is set to inspire and break more records at the Paris Paralympics, driven by his passion for sport, his country, and his desire to uplift others.
Paris, France (31 August 2024) – South Africans have always had a knack for rising to the challenge, proving time and again that we are a nation of champions! Our athletes are fearless, determined, and endlessly resilient, and none showcase this spirit more brightly than Mpumelelo Mhlongo.
This world record-holding Paralympian is once again poised to make history at the Paris Paralympics, aiming not only for medals but to break his own world records!
Mpumelelo Mhlongo, a name synonymous with excellence, currently holds three world records in the T44 category for long jump, 100m, and 200m track events. This incredible athlete from Klaarwater in eThekwini carries the hopes of a nation as he heads into the Paris Paralympics with a fierce determination to not only win but to break his own records in the 100m and long jump. For Mhlongo, it’s all about pushing his limits, overcoming obstacles, and doing it all for South Africa.
Mhlongo’s journey to the top hasn’t been an easy one. Growing up in a township, he faced a world of stigma around disabilities.
“I grew up in the township, where there was a lot of stigma around people with disabilities. I not only felt the brunt of being teased by other kids but also being ostracised by family members,” he reflects.
Yet, sports became his sanctuary and his tool for transformation.
“Thanks to sports, I became known as the fastest kid in the neighbourhood. In fact, I was often picked first, due to my speed, rather than being left out due to my disability. For me, this truly highlights the power of sports, in that it enabled me to help change the world for the better, just by doing what I love.”
Since making his Paralympic debut at the Rio Games in 2016, Mhlongo has continued to break boundaries, both on and off the track. He’s led efforts to revise the classification rules of the International Paralympic Committee, advocating for fair competition by separating blade runners and jumpers from athletes like himself who have lower limb deficiencies.
Supported wholeheartedly by his wife, Monique Atouguia, Mhlongo’s passion extends beyond personal success.
“He cares deeply and is very passionate about the power that sport has and what it can do to help uplift communities,” she says. “He recognises that it has genuinely transformed his own life, and he loves to share this deeply powerful and transformative approach with others, in the hopes of inspiring them, just as he himself was inspired.”
But Mhlongo is not just an athlete, he is a man of many talents and ambitions. Alongside his rigorous training schedule, he is pursuing a PhD in Chemical Engineering at the University of Cape Town. Fluent in six languages, including isiZulu, isiXhosa, English, Afrikaans, French, and Portuguese, Mhlongo’s thirst for knowledge and self-improvement is truly boundless.
Born with amniotic band syndrome and a deformed club foot, Mhlongo’s mother, Lungile Mthembu, fittingly named him Mpumelelo, which means “success.”
She shares, “When he started moving, despite the disability, this is the name that came to mind for me, because I could see that we were succeeding and getting somewhere. The little progress at the beginning has grown into this, where he is now representing his country. Clearly, naming him ‘Success’ was the right thing to do, as it has simply been success all the way since then.”
The path to success has been paved with support from many, including his partnership with Investec.
“My partnership with Investec, and their help with the foundational pillars that are necessary in my build-up towards the 2024 Paris Paralympics, has been about not only demonstrating that one can be a contributor to society today, but equally, that investing in the future is just as vital,” he says.
As we gear up to support Mhlongo at the Paris Paralympics, there is no doubt that this inspirational athlete will once again make us proud.
Peta Dixon, Head of Sponsorships at Investec, sums it up perfectly: “He truly represents the best of our nation… proud of his abilities as an athlete, proud of his winning mentality and most of all, proud of someone who is just an all-round incredible human being.”
The whole of South Africa will be cheering him on as he competes on the world stage. With races scheduled for August 31st, September 1st, 4th, and 7th, there’s no doubt that Mhlongo will inspire us all, not just with his athletic prowess but with his unyielding spirit and his drive to make a difference.
South Africa, we are a nation of champions, and Mpumelelo Mhlongo is about to show the world why!
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