Freedom means different things to different people. For athletes living with a disability in South Africa, it’s not just a word, it’s a gateway to opportunity, visibility, and belonging. As the country marks Freedom Day, we celebrate the rights and realities that allow all South Africans, including women in sport with disabilities, to live, dream, and compete on their own terms.
One of those athletes is Paris 2024 Paralympic discus gold medalist Simoné Kruger, a rising para-athletics star who embodies the power of possibility. For her, freedom is deeply personal.
“Honestly, freedom’s given me a lot! I get to go to university, learn stuff I actually care about, and figure out what I wanna do with my life.”
Field Athletics Paralympic Gold Medalist, Simoné Kruger
“I can do athletics, hang out with friends, speak my mind without being scared, and just be myself,” Simoné says. “It’s cool knowing I can chase my own goals and not what someone else tells me I have to do.”
Simoné knows that with freedom comes the power to not only chase her own dreams but also to uplift others.
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“With the freedom I have, I can actually go after my dreams—like really go for them. I can work hard, get better at what I love, and turn it into a career. I can also help people around me, stand up for what’s right, and just try to make things better in my own way. It might be small stuff, but it adds up.”
Paralympian Mariska Venter echoes those feelings. For Mariska, freedom has opened doors to education, self-expression, and a future of her own making.
“Freedom has given me the chance to live the life I choose. I can play sports that I love, like tennis. I have the right to speak my mind and share my ideas without fear. I can dream about any future I want—becoming a doctor, a teacher, an artist, and work toward it. I can go to school, learn new things, and make friends from different backgrounds. Freedom lets me believe in what I want to believe, celebrate my culture, and live safely with my family.”
And just like Simoné, Mariska believes in using her freedom to create change.
“With my freedom, I can work hard to reach my dreams and not let anyone stop me from trying. I can use my voice to stand up for what’s right and help others who might need support.”
Disabled Tennis Paris 2024 Paralympian, Mariska Venter
“I can volunteer in my community, be kind to everyone, and be a good role model,” says Mariska.
“I can vote, when I’m old enough, stay informed, and help make my country better by being a responsible citizen. Most importantly, I can use my freedom to inspire others to dream big too.”
In a sporting world where disabled athletes, especially women, are still fighting for equal access, recognition, and respect, the stories of Simoné and Mariska remind us why freedom matters so much. It gives people the power to live authentically, to dream boldly, and to pave the way for others to do the same.
As we celebrate Freedom Day, we honour not only the historical victories that brought us here but also the extraordinary victories of athletes like Simoné Kruger and Mariska Venter, who use their freedom to build a more inclusive, courageous future.
Freedom isn’t just a right: It’s a reason to dream bigger and reach higher.
Main Photo Caption: For Paris 2024 Paralympic discus gold medalist Simoné Kruger, freedom is deeply personal: “Honestly, freedom’s given me a lot! I get to go to university, learn stuff I actually care about, and figure out what I wanna do with my life.” All Photos: Supplied
Photo 2 Caption: Simoné knows that with freedom comes the power also to uplift others “I can also help people around me, stand up for what’s right, and just try to make things better in my own way. It might be small stuff, but it adds up.”
Photo 3 Caption: Disabled Tennis Paralympian Mariska Venter says that freedom has opened doors: “I can play sports that I love, like tennis. I have the right to speak my mind and share my ideas without fear. I can dream about any future I want—becoming a doctor, a teacher, an artist, and work toward it.”
Photo 4 Caption: In commemorating Freedom Day, we honour not only the historical victories that brought us here, but also the victories of athletes like Simoné Kruger and Mariska Venter, who use their freedom to build a more inclusive, courageous future.
