Local hero Willene Wiid from Hopetown is a motivating young athlete who has shown that no challenge is too big when faced with determination and belief. Born on June 18, 2010, this energetic 15-year-old has transformed a significant life event into a tale of resilience and success, continuously inspiring all who encounter her.
A student at Hopetown High School since Grade 1, Willene is currently taking exams and getting ready to start Grade 10 next year. Her time at school is full of energy and direction, both in her studies and in all the sports she participates in.
Yet, her path started with significant difficulties.
In January 2016, during a family vacation in Hartenbos, five-year-old Willene experienced a stroke that caused paralysis on her right side. She needed to relearn fundamental abilities such as sitting, walking, speaking, and even crawling. However, with the help of therapy, faith, and the unwavering encouragement from her educators and family, she overcame the challenges. Just one year later, in January 2017, she confidently entered her Grade 1 classroom at Hopetown High, prepared to face the world once more.
Since that time, Willene has gained recognition for her indomitable spirit. She has kept participating in all the sports available at school, determined not to let anything hinder her progress. "She understands the significance of what many of us overlook: walking, jumping, laughing, and talking, things she once lost but was given another opportunity to experience," says her mother, Emarrie.
That perseverance has brought her to the national level. Earlier this year, Willene competed for the Northern Cape provincial team at the 2025 Toyota National SASAPD Championships in Gqeberha. In the girls' under 17 athletics category, she participated in four field events – discus throw, shot-put, javelin, and long jump – and won an impressive five gold medals, two silver medals, two South African records, and three personal bests in all her events.
'I am not disabled'
She did not stop at that point. Willene also took part in para cycling, during which she established a new South African record in the 1,000 metre race and achieved another personal best in the 3,000 metre event. She has recently started competitive swimming, participating in events with able-bodied swimmers to improve her times and gain experience, earning a silver medal in the 50 metre breaststroke at her first national competition.
In November, at the FSSAPD Athletics and Cycling Meeting in Bloemfontein, Willene once again showcased her superiority, claiming victory in both discus and shot-put, as well as securing first place in both para cycling events she participated in.
Away from the track, Willene's life is full of the same enthusiasm. She loves netball, tennis, and horse riding, and also participated in the Muddy Princess obstacle course in Bloemfontein, where she faced every muddy obstacle with a smile.
However, most importantly, she is also involved in her church, assisting in leading worship and praise, and spends time with her friends just like any other teenager.
Looking forward, Willene's focus is on a new aspiration: the 2028 Paralympic Games. This objective embodies the same bravery and determination that guided her from relearning how to walk to celebrating on podiums with gold medals around her neck.
Willene encapsulates her philosophy with a statement that beautifully reflects her perspective on life:
I am not disabled; I possess unique abilities.
In a society that frequently highlights constraints, Willene Wiid reminds us that true power isn't determined by what we're unable to achieve, but by how much we accomplish despite those challenges.
Danie van der LithProvided by SyndiGate Media Inc.Syndigate.info).
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