Ephraim Mohlakane does not like to imagine what his life would be with without sport.
“If it was not for the Special Olympics, I think I would just be at home,” the South African, 41, said. “I would just be sitting doing nothing, learning nothing.”
Instead, he spends most days working as a football and basketball coach at a leading Johannesburg private school. With the help of people, he met through the Special Olympics, he was offered a two-week trial. That was 14 years ago, and he is still in what he describes as his dream job.
When he got tired of being on a waiting list for government housing, he bought his own home. Although his intellectual disability, which makes it difficult for him to read and write, meant he needed help to make sense of the mortgage papers, he was determined to provide for his wife and two children, a son, 12, and daughter, 2.
He represented South Africa in the Special Olympics for the first time aged 16. Now, he is assistant head of his country’s delegation in Abu Dhabi, assuming responsibility for almost 100 athletes and acting as their advocate and mentor.
“God did not create everyone all the same,” he said. “We can’t all be academic. I wish I could be a lawyer. I wish I could be a doctor. I went to school and I studied hard, I tried. But I realised being academic was not my thing. But I wanted to achieve something. You have to accept the way you are, and be happy.”
His success means he is able to pass on wisdom he received from Nelson Mandela, who he met several times, even sitting next to him on a 13-hour flight from South Africa to Dublin for the 2003 Games. “He told me I must not look down, but look up,” he recalls. Arnold Schwarzenegger is another acquaintance who he says has guided him.
Mr Mohlakane is now determined to change perceptions, in Africa in particular, about what people with intellectual disabilities can achieve.
“Sometimes, the community, they don’t take people seriously,” he said. “They think you are useless, that there is nothing you can do, that you don’t belong to the world. It’s very bad. In South Africa we still have a long way to go.
“People still need education to learn a lot of things in a lot of countries, especially in Africa. Without education we are not going anywhere. If you don’t have education, people are blind, they don’t see the right direction. The reality is you can achieve. I focus on my ability, what I can do.”
He is also keen to instil confidence in a new generation of people with disabilities.
“You only get to live once, so you have to fight to achieve,” he said. “It was not easy for me. But I told myself, I’m not going to look down because of my disability. Life is tough, but you have to fight.
“People with intellectual disabilities might not finish school, but we are still normal people. My big challenge is to teach people they can stand up for themselves and they can change the world. You must believe in yourself and be proud.”
Company profile
Date started: 2015
Founder: John Tsioris and Ioanna Angelidaki
Based: Dubai
Sector: Online grocery delivery
Staff: 200
Funding: Undisclosed, but investors include the Jabbar Internet Group and Venture Friends
Awar Qalb
Director: Jamal Salem
Starring: Abdulla Zaid, Joma Ali, Neven Madi and Khadija Sleiman
Two stars
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Indoor cricket in a nutshell
Indoor cricket in a nutshell
Indoor Cricket World Cup - Sept 16-20, Insportz, Dubai
16 Indoor cricket matches are 16 overs per side
8 There are eight players per team
9 There have been nine Indoor Cricket World Cups for men. Australia have won every one.
5 Five runs are deducted from the score when a wickets falls
4 Batsmen bat in pairs, facing four overs per partnership
Scoring In indoor cricket, runs are scored by way of both physical and bonus runs. Physical runs are scored by both batsmen completing a run from one crease to the other. Bonus runs are scored when the ball hits a net in different zones, but only when at least one physical run is score.
Zones
A Front net, behind the striker and wicketkeeper: 0 runs
B Side nets, between the striker and halfway down the pitch: 1 run
C Side nets between halfway and the bowlers end: 2 runs
D Back net: 4 runs on the bounce, 6 runs on the full
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
The Gandhi Murder
- 71 - Years since the death of MK Gandhi, also christened India's Father of the Nation
- 34 - Nationalities featured in the film The Gandhi Murder
- 7 - million dollars, the film's budget
Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
If you go…
Emirates launched a new daily service to Mexico City this week, flying via Barcelona from Dh3,995.
Emirati citizens are among 67 nationalities who do not require a visa to Mexico. Entry is granted on arrival for stays of up to 180 days.
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