The first South African Boccia team competing in the Paralympic Games

The Paralympic Games is underway!

Before the team left for Paris, SASCOC announced its Paralympic team to represent South Africa during an event filled Team SA launch in July 2024.  There were certainly many awe-inspiring stories from the various athletes who attended.

One of the athletes who will be taking part in the Paralympic Games is Karabo Morapedi who is a Boccia Player. Boccia (pronounced bo-tcha) is a sport for the severely disabled athletes. It was first introduced in 1984, but the SA Boccia team has made its debut at this year’s Paris Paralympic Games.  

Karabo, who hails from Bloemfontein cut a quiet, albeit confident figure on his motorised wheelchair.  Sitting alongside Karabo during the launch in July was his ramp operator, Vincent Matobako. Karabo wore a ready smile and was engaging even though he found it hard to talk. He has been involved in the sport for the last ten years and said his dream was to win a gold medal at the games. Boccia athletes use a ramp to launch the ball with the help of a ramp operator.

Karabo is a go- getter who is currently reading towards his honours degree in Business Management at the Central University of Technology (CUT) in Bloemfontein.

Also at the launch was Elanza Jordaan, who is another Team SA Boccia athlete. Elanza is from Paarl School in Brackenfell in Cape Town. Reinet Barnard, her coach said Elanza’s drive and hard- work was exemplary.

“Most of the times we have to force Elanza to stop training and practicing. She goes on for ever until she achieves whatever she wants to perfect”,  Barnard added.

 Elanza’s response on hearing this was an emphatic, never quit. “Make your impossible, possible. See opportunities in every challenge,” she added with a smile.

Marisa Potgieter, the Boccia team manager said she regarded her work with Boccia athletes as a calling. “It is a blessing for me as it gives the athletes meaning in life.” Potgieter said the sport of Boccia is like a family as it empowers those involved in it.

We take this opportunity to wish Karabo and Elenza, and their respective support teams, all the very best at the Games.  We are with you.

Boccia is administered by the South African Sports Association for the Physically Disabled (SASAPD).