One of the best feelings in the world, is when you know you have the backing of the community in whatever projects you initiate. Trusting they believe in your dreams and aspirations holding them in high value.
The Louzanne Coetzee Foundation is proud to announce our first official partnership in Bloemfontein with Mimosa Mall on the 2nd of March, 2024 for the Mimosa Family Run hosted in conjunction with Bloemfontein Striders.
Mimosa Mall forms an integral part of Bloemfontein, providing leisure and shopping opportunities for people from all walks of life. Their dream is to host a running race in Bloemfontein that would top all other races on the local racing circuit. However, they stepped it up a notch and decided to partner with the Louzanne Coetzee Foundation, to give back to the running community. Not only will ordinary runners be focused on, but the spotlight will be on para-athletes, whom sadly don’t always enjoy the same opportunities as their non-disabled counterparts.
After Claus Kempen, was approached by Mimosa to assist with the organization of the race, he made them aware of my foundation and my goals and aspirations for South African disabled athletes. Mimosa had enough trust and belief in my ambitions, to partner with my foundation. If that isn’t blind faith, I don’t know what is! – Excuse the pun – They are aware I strive to empower disabled athletes across South Africa, educating them about para-sport and providing them with opportunities to participate. This will have far-reaching consequences and change many lives as I firmly believe these athletes’ stories will inspire and give hope…
Claus and I have been involved in a variety of running clinics for para-athletes, including being part of an awareness campaign focusing on disabled sport in primary schools in the Limpopo province. These projects were tackled in partnership with a fellow para-athlete for the Isability Club of Limpopo.
Our aim is to bring this closer to home and get involved in Mangaung and possibly branching out to the rest of the Free State. There are several schools for persons with disabilities such as visual, physical, or auditory impairments, where we will be scouting for new talent, educating parents and children, and getting involved in local competitions and leagues. There is plenty of talent in the Free State province and we aim to provide para-athletes access to higher education once they have completed their school careers. Our foundation will play a crucial role in identifying and developing talent, thus channelling these athletes towards a successful career path.
Finally, more information on the race itself. The Mimosa Family Run is an inclusive event offering various distances for athletes (recreational and competitive) with a 5 km, 10 km and 21.1 km run. The race will be hosted in conjunction with Bloemfontein Striders who will be handling all the logistics. This event promises to be a fun outing for the whole family with great goodie bags, huge prizes and many lucky draws up for grabs. To support the Louzanne Coetzee Foundation, donations can be made upon entering the race.
I, for one, cannot contain my excitement for the 2nd of March. This event promises to become a treasure within the local running community, and I have full confidence it will grow from strength to strength with every passing year.