The Outeniqua Chair Challenge in an annual wheelchair race that takes place In George, Western Cape. It is best known as the “biggest wheelchair race in Africa” and on the 24th of February 2024 we got to partake in this prestigious race.
After years of not participating due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we assembled the WCRC Hot-wheelerz to be a part of this amazing experience. We had a group of eight eager and competitive patients (both in and outpatients) and eight volunteers partaking. After months of planning, preparation, training, and a world class send off from our WCRC family we were off to races.
George treated us well, the atmosphere was vibrant and the excitement amongst our patients palpable as they not only raced for themselves but also for disability advocacy as a whole. It was an eye-opening experience for us all filled with hope and opportunity for a better tomorrow. The Team participated in the 5km fun-walk, and we are very proud to proclaim that we had a few first time WCRC Hot-wheelerz coming in the top 50 out of hundreds of races! Witnessing hundreds of wheelchair users taking over the streets of George was a reminder of why we at WCRC believe in being the changemakers and empowering the changemakers of tomorrow.
A big thank you to our executive team, our facility board and most importantly our WCRC family for their unwavering support for allowing the volunteers the opportunity to make this happen. We hope we find ourselves at the races next year again!
Nothemba Thobela (Chairperson of the Sports Committee and physiotherapist at WCRC) &
Janine Matthews (Volunteer and physiotherapist at WCRC)
