Gandhi Walk 2013 Winners

10 KM winners

Male				Female
Junior U19				Junior U19
1	Katleho Thibedi	10:12		1		Demi-Lee Rebula	10:27
2	Mzair Moola	10:12		2		Leeanka Moonsamy	10:28
3	Petries Maneje	10:16		3		Naarilah Ebrahim	10:38
Senior Male (20 - 39 years)				Senior Females (20 - 34 years)
1	Sanele Matlionsi	10:05		1		Tshepiso Motswahret	10:17
2	Ndo Diphephenyane	10:05		2		Losha Chaytoo	10:28
3	Daniel Seage	10.06		3		Tejil Morar	10:32
Veteran Male (40 – 49 years)				Veteran Females (35 – 44 years)
1	Herbet Makhale	10:07		1		Christine Chibuswa	10:18
2	Mokete Sefusa	10:13		2		Nthobiseng Sibiya	10:33
3	Matome Rakgoale	10:16		3		Gabi Vilakaz	10:33
Masters Male (50 – 59 years)				Master Female (45 – 54 years)
1	Ajit Vallabh	10:06		1		Astrid Thole	10:26
2	Meshack Janjies	10:21		2		Nonhlanhla Mbele	10:33
3	George Sitoe	10:25		3		Luci Kitumalo	10:34
Grandmasters Male (60 years +)				Grandmaster Female (55 years +)
1	Cliff Lawcor	10:20		1		Sylvie Naidoo	10:26
2	Jesse Naran	10:21		2		Sheila Rossi	10:27
3	Sidney Coopsamy	10:23		3		Mario Gaines	10:28
OVERALL WINNERS
1	Sanele Matlionsi		10:20
2	Ndo Diphephenyane		10:21
3	Ajit Vallabh		10:23

                                                                       5 KM winners

Male				Female
Junior U19				Junior U19
1	Philani Malinda	9:57		1		Tebeilo Mofokeng	10:11
2	Michael Sibandadawu	9:57		2		Ziyanda Kumalo	10:11
3	Raeez Ditta	10:01		3		Caroline Motswane	10:11
Senior Male (20 - 39 years)				Senior Females (20 - 34 years)
1	Samuel Sibanda	9:56		1		Bavika Bhowan	10:11
2	Edgar Ubisse	10:05		2		Anthea Latchman	10:13
3	Ralebepa Gift	10:05		3		Waseela Patel	10:14
Veteran Male (40 – 49 years)				Veteran Females (35 – 44 years)
1	Meko Galada	9:58		1		Aisha Mia	10:00
2	Manoj Madav	10:05		2		Smita Gowan	10:06
3	Pradeep Gowan	10:05		3		Jane Mapuletig Mokoena	10:14
Masters Male (50 – 59 years)				Master Female (45 – 54 years)
1	Balvant Vallabh	10:00		1		Urmilabhen Gowan	10:03
2	Yunus Gardee	10:00		2		Rasia Vahid	10:13
3	Jiemmy Van Rooyen	10:02		3		Roshika Pavaday	10:16
Grandmasters Male (60 years +)				Grandmaster Female (55 years +)
1	Abo Baker Seedat	9:59		1		Shanti Vallabh	10:04
2	Bhikhu Prema	9:59		2		Amina Bhana	10:15
3	Navin Daya	9:59		3		Vanita Keshav	10:17
OVERALL WINNERS
1	Samuel Sibanda		9:56
2	Philani Malinda		9:57
3	Michael Sibandwu		9:57

Ashton regains eyesight

Deepesh 'Aston' Sombier

A blessing or a miracle could be said when Deepesh ‘Ashton’ Sombier regained his eyesight on May 15. Ashton underwent a cornea transplant on May 14 at the Sandhurst Eye Clinic which costed R47, 000. He was diagnosed with kerataconus.

The 18-year-old lost his eyesight round about February 2012, and had to leave school. His mum Rehana Pillay explained, Ashton underwent a cornea transplant in 2007 and he lost his sight in the right eye, leaving him with 58% vision in the left eye. She claimed the transplant was not successful.

Dr Imraan Jhetam from Lenmed clinic, performed the cornea transplant in 2007, said the transplant was successful. “The reason why he lost his eyesight was due to using cortisone eye drops without a prescription which caused a lot of pressure,” Jhetam said.

His current doctor, Brian Van Onselen confirmed that Ashton had a corneal graft in his right eye for keratoconus.  There were complications and he had lost most of the sight in the eye.

“Fortunately, the corneal transplant procedure in his left eye went very smoothly. We managed to get a cornea for him from the USA, which was shipped in, in a special preservative solution,” Van Onselen said.

He added that day two, Ashton was feeling comfortable and his vision had improved from five percent to 20 percent. As this heals, they can remove the sutures, and can expect further improvement.

Van Onselen’s is worried about rejection of the tissue and the first month is critical. Ashton will be on special cortisone drops to prevent rejection.

Ashton and his family

Funds were raised throughout the year for the transplant. "A total of R46, 680 was donated from the fund raising show hosted by Magic Sounds and Christian Revival Church (CRC), which included R5, 000 donated by Lenasia Berthan Church. It was remarkable that we were only short of R300 from the total cost," said Pastor Abraham Russel's from CRC. 

“I feel disappointed that I was held back from school, as I suppose to complete my schooling career in 2014. I aim to work at CRC for three years and be a Sunday Side Walk teacher,” Ashton said.

His parents are planning to send him to night school while he aims to work at CRC for three years and be a Sunday side walk teacher.

Pastor Russels thanks everyone who participated in helping raise funds for Ashton and is very pleased to hear Ashton wants to work at the church for three years.

Bull part of the family

I was taken back when I got to Kotamdi, Gujarat.

I saw lots of bulls in the yard of people's homes. I first thought? What if a bull harms the community/people? 

But I learnt something new and beautiful about Gujarat. A bull(s) are part of the family, and only harm if you harm them.

I saw bulls roaming around the street freely like they roam around free in the wild.
One question attracted? If people in india can look after animals such as bulls and cows as their own, why can't we in other countries? 

Another beauty that struck my eyes with lots of gratitude was watching a bull pull a heavy machine in order for sugar cane juice to be made. 

People may call it abuse, but I call it the beauty of Gujarat and India itself as you see bulls and cows freely walking on the road. 

As many know both these animals are sacred to the Hindu religion. 

Making a difference for the betterment of a community and country

Two beautiful women or ambassadors in better words continue making a difference to our community and country.

Gorgeous current Miss Earth 2012 Tamerin Jardine and Miss SA 2012 Marilyn Ramos joined the Gandhi Walk on May 19 with people from all walks of life who joined in the unity walk.

I was blessed to interact with both these lovely women who are not just ambassadors for environment and community but are true role models for the young ones out there. 

Here's what Tamerin said about the Gandhi Walk: Being apart of the Gandhi Walk was an incredible experience. I saw a community unit behind a mans name who is a hero to our country. 

Miss Earth 2012 Tamerin Jardine, I and Miss SA 2012 Marilyn Ramos

I was able to leave a green legacy behind by being apart of the tree planting. To plant trees enables us to fight for tomorrow's future that we wish to have. Which ties in perfectly with the theme of the Gandhi walk he fought for us our future to live in peace and unity, today I fight and encourage all those around me to fight for our Earth through peaceful green action. 

While this is what Marilyn said: The walk was a great opportunity for the community to show their commitment and involvement in the future a South Africa. Our future being one of unity and peace. It was fantastic seeing old and young, all cultures, races and religions gather together and embrace our diversity. 

Miss SA 2011 Melinda Bam and I.

This is not the first for me interacting with two ambassadors, I interacted with Miss SA 2011 Melinda Bam, she herself is a true ambassador and role model making a difference along with Marilyn and Tamerin.

If they can make a difference, why cant we?