Fans‚ friends‚ government officials‚ school pupils‚ police‚ security officers joined Minister Fikile Mbalula and his deputy Gert Oosthuizen when they welcomed the heroes and heroines in paralympic sport.
Paralympian sensation and silver medallist Ntando Mahlangu‚ 14‚ received a particularly rousing welcome.
The teenager's fellow pupils at Constantia Park Primary School joined throngs of people who waited for the athletes to arrive.
Ntando made history by being the youngest athlete and primary school pupil in the country to compete in the Paralympics which were held recently in Brazil.
Describing himself jovially as "Razzmatazz" and "Father Christmas"‚ Mbalula showered the athletes with R500 000 for winning gold‚ R100 000 of which went to the coach. Silver medalists received R200 000‚ R50 000 went to the coach while bronze medalists received R100 000 and R30 000 to the coach.
Mbalula added a sweetener bonus of R100,000 for gold medalists‚ silver and bronze medallists were paid an extra R30 000 while record breakers were paid and additional R150,000.
"Now because Razzmatazz is Razzmatazz and there is no other Razzmatazz and I am the only Father Christmas‚" he shouted.
Mabulala thanked parents of all athletes for allowing their children to represent the country and also praised those who didn't win medals for their efforts and participation.
"The story of paralympians is a great story. This is the story that says to us you are disempowered by disability. We are equal before the Lord. There is nothing that able-bodied athletes didn't do that [paralympians] didn't do. They did it better."
- TMG Digital/Sowetan
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