This is the amazing story of Zama as never been told
by the media before. I first heard the story of Zama on the news last year. So,
when I’d plan to embark on this project of #EmpoweringAfricans by sharing
African inspiring and success stories, I decided to track down Zama and thanks
to social media I got hold of him…and he told me his amazing story.
At only 6years old, Zama Xolani Mofokeng was knock
down by a car. Although he survived with no notable physical injuries but the
accident left him with a head injury that haunted him till adulthood. He would
get dizzy spells from hell. The seizures and sudden bursts of electrical
activity in his brain affected his normal life drastically. The family had no
idea what to make of his symptoms at the time. They sought for all types of solutions
to his predicament – spiritually, traditionally and medically. At long last
doctors diagnosed him with Epilepsy. The family was relieved to know what was
wrong with their son but it was only the beginning of a long difficult journey for
Zama and his family.
He was put on medication to help control the Epilepsy
but the medication actually made his situation even worst. Doctors assured the
family that his body was only adjusting to the medication but his condition only
seem to deteriorate further. They kept looking for the right medication that
could perfectly suit his system. All this process made Zama’s life even more
miserable. He said, “My Mom couldn’t even allow me go to shops fearing I might
experience an epileptic seizure and they won’t be anyone around to help me”
He was advised to stop studying/reading as his brain couldn’t
handle any form of pressure but Zama refused and stubbornly kept fighting to
make it in school while fighting epilepsy at the same time. He kept on going. Nonetheless,
he experienced the peak of his illness in his Matric year. The epilepsy became uncontrollable
and none responsive to medication. This lead to him failing Matric, something
he had fought hard for. Even though he failed Matric but he passed Mathematic
(65%). His hopes of having a certificate to show for his struggles and
education were dashed against the wall. Zama, being the fighter that he is did not
give up. He kept fighting to make something of himself even with no
qualification. He still managed to get himself a job but his condition wouldn’t
let him hold on to the job.
Zama had a passion for gymnastics. He started tumbling
when he was only 10 years old. He says “I
used to go to the park and watched other kids tumbling on old mattresses and I
also started doing it during school breaks and at home.” Although his Mom was
very protective and wouldn’t let him practice it for fear of suffering a seizure
but Zama wouldn’t listened to his mom. He kept on practicing gymnastics every
chance he got. He says, “Gymnastics took my mind off my condition and other struggles”
“I couldn’t give up on it. I knew looking for another job was just a waste of
time and so I focused fully on gymnastics”
Zama began reading on Beethoven and he became his
greatest inspiration and hero. Ludwig van Beethoven was a German music legend, composer
and pianist, who lost his hearing in his late 20’s yet went on to become the
most famous and influential of all composers. In reading how Beethoven didn’t
give up his dream even though he was deaf, Zama said to himself, “if a deaf
person can still continue to compose great music then what about me, it means I
can also do something with my life even though I’m epileptic” And so he kept
pushing himself in back flips with one hand. He researched at what was the
current World Records at that time and went all out to beat it.
Zama practically taught himself gymnastics and trained
in any available free space he found on the street of ekasi. It was very hard
for me to train, it could be on grass, a tar road, sand or a pavement” he
confessed. “I HAVE NEVER TRAINED IN A GYMNASTICS CENTRE”, as there were none in
Tembisa. The nearest Centre is in Kempton Park but time and transport was a
challenge for me”. Irrespective of these, no challenge has been strong enough
to stop Zama from fulfilling his dream of breaking World Record for the most back
flips with one hand.
At long last, the 27-year-old from Makhulong in
Tembisa, Ekurhuleni, in 2017 achieved his dream and broke the record for the
most consecutive back flips with one hand. He did 34 in a row! He made it into
the Guinness Book of World Records despite his epileptic condition. Don't let
setback stop you. Let it be the jolt you need to get to the top.” He says “giving
up because of your condition is another way to fail yourself.
Zama says “I am not born to follow but born to lead” Zama
and his friend recently started training young boys who have the same vision as
he did. His vision is to change the township and build a gymnastics training
facility and so much more. Zama believe we can change our conditions, we can
change the labels society have put on us. Even labels doctors have put on us. He
asked “If you don’t fight to change your condition, who will? No one understands
what you are facing more than you. He change his label from an epileptic to the
holder of world Record for the most consecutive back flips. What setback has
stopped you from moving forward?
In conclusion, Zama Xolani Mofokeng says “Epilepsy or any other
condition is no excuse for anyone to fail in life”.
He is appealing to the government, private organization and individuals to come on board in support of building a gymnastics training facility. Children need something to focus their energy on and take their minds off things that could jeopardize their future.
He is appealing to the government, private organization and individuals to come on board in support of building a gymnastics training facility. Children need something to focus their energy on and take their minds off things that could jeopardize their future.
His achievement was celebrated on his Birthday last year, August 9th 2017.
"Become so good at what you do that you cannot be ignore"
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I am Nicky Verd, a Prolific Writer and Transformational Speaker. I am
passionate about inspiring you to take ownership of your life. Reconnect with
your dreams and jump-start your personal transformation.
"You owe yourself everything you expect from
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