A 14-year-old girl from Mamelodi West in Tshwane needs financial support to pursue her karate skills in China.
Lerato Masia will be competing in China in August this year at the Kung Fu championship, International Wushu Federation.
She will be representing South Africa with Banele Hlatshwayo (18) and Siyabonga Nkosi (17) all from Mamelodi.
Lerato's mum, Mpho Masia (46), said they are appealing for financial assistance as she is not working.
She said the three need financial support to make the trip a reality. Each child needs R20 000.
"I'm proud of my daughter. We hope she can get money and make it to China in August," she said.
Mpho said they will be leaving on 22 August for the week long tournament.
Lerato said she feels happy and confident and wants to bring gold back home.
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"I joined the martial arts in 2021 because some children were bullying me in my Kasi. I lacked self-defense and now I am equipped with the right skills to defend myself," she said.
Lerato said those who were bullying her now respect her.
The Grade 9 pupil from Prosperitus Secondary School in Eesterust said young children must join karate or martial arts because it has more discipline and it helps one to be strong inside and outside.
Lerato said she is happy to do martial arts and it doesn't disturb her on school work.
"I have never thought that I will represent South Africa one day," she said.
Her coach Kenneth Makamu said that the trip to China is very important and it will be an honor to the kids who will be participating.
The acting chairman of Mamelodi Sports Council, Solly Masemola, said they are proud of the children who will be representing Mamelodi and South Africa.
"We are appealing to people, government and business people to assist with money so that these children go and make us proud," he said.
