Hi, my name is Laura and I'm raising funds so that Sithembiso can represent South Africa in the 2025 World Duathlon Championships in Spain this June.

Please read his story and view more photos below. On request I can share his personal invitations letters.

My name is Sithembiso Godfrey Stuurman, and I am a passionate triathlete from Walmer Location, a township in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. I am honored to share that I have been selected to represent South Africa at the 2025 World Duathlon Championships in Pontevedra, Spain. This is a dream come true and the culmination of years of hard work and determination.

Growing up in Walmer, life was incredibly tough. My family depended on my grandmother’s welfare grant, and there were many days when we had no food. I vividly remember my brother and I running after school to a community hall where they served soup and bread to those in need. We often skipped school just to ensure we arrived on time to get a meal. We also walked long distances to the beach, swimming for hours, not realizing that all of this physical activity was unknowingly preparing me for something bigger in life.

My journey into triathlon began in 2009 after I was placed in a child care foster center following my grandmother's passing. It was at the foster center that I was first exposed to the world of triathlons. We would go to support athletes participating in the Ironman, and I had the opportunity to compete in IronKidz, thanks to the Ironman 4 the Kidz initiative. From that moment, I fell in love with the sport and started attending Ironman events, inspired by the athletes' dedication and resilience.

The Ironman 4 the Kidz Orange Team became a beacon of hope for me, offering mentorship and support that allowed me to attend school and participate in sports, particularly cross-country and athletics. In 2024, despite facing personal challenges, especially when my mother fell seriously ill and my brothers and I had to care for her, I continued to compete. It was during this time that I received the incredible news that I had been selected to go and compete in Durban. My mother, despite her illness, was so excited and encouraged me to bring home a gold medal.

I competed in Durban, was selected for team South Africa, and earned a medal. However, shortly after returning to Port Elizabeth, my mother was admitted to the hospital and passed away without seeing my achievement. She never got to see me fulfill my dream of representing South Africa, but I made a promise to myself that I would honor her memory and continue to pursue this dream.

I am part of the Chillie Running Club development program, which has been pivotal in my athletic development. Through their mentorship, I have been able to compete in various running races and strive for excellence. However, I still face financial challenges. I currently do not have sponsorship, and I need support to cover the costs of traveling to Pontevedra for the World Duathlon Championships. The total budget required will cover flights, accommodation, food, and other related expenses.

Any contribution, no matter how small, will make a significant difference in helping me reach this milestone. If I do not reach the full target, I plan to use the donations to purchase running shoes for my teammates in the development program, as some of them do not have proper footwear, and to purchase a bicycle that I can use for training and competition, as well pay for swimming lessons.

Representing South Africa on this global stage is more than just a personal achievement for me; it is an opportunity to inspire the athletes in my community and bring hope and pride to my hometown. I am deeply grateful for any support that will help me continue on this journey and make my late mother proud.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story, and I would be incredibly grateful for any assistance you can provide.

Warm regards,

Sithembiso Godfrey Stuurman