Pietermaritzburg – The Computershare Change a Life Academy will once again hope to make its presence felt at the development programme’s annual highlight, the Dusi Canoe Marathon, with its blend of wise old heads and talented youngsters.
Seven time Dusi and five time Non Stop Dusi victor Martin Dreyer, founder and general manager of the academy, believes that despite some of his senior talents having recently graduated from the academy or gained independent sponsors and support, the Change a Life Academy’s class of 2014 will once again fly the flag high.
“We have seen quite a few of our older guys move on and join the working world over the past year or two and over the past few months we’ve also had a couple of guys take up various studying opportunities around the country,” said “Dusi Duke” Dreyer.
“Some of our top senior guys are now also being looked after financially by corporates but still train with us and so are still very much a part of our Change a Life family.
“Guys like Lucas Mthalane, Mmeli Cele, Kwanda Mhlophe and Zonele Nzuza, who have all earned a Dusi gold medal before, are all still with us though and they will certainly be hoping to do so again this year,” he added.
Despite having invested a lot in those who have now moved on, Dreyer appreciates their progress is all part and parcel of life and is excited by the new influx of youth to the academy.
“A lot of the old guard have had to change their focus a bit. Now they have to go out there and look to bring home money to their families. That’s only natural.
“Their leaving does also allow the youngsters to come in and have a bit of breathing space too.
“I’m sure the new guys will do really well for us in the coming months and years as well.”
Ever-consistent Mthalane and Cele as well as the potentially dangerous duo of Mhlophe (EuroSteel) and Nzuza (EuroSteel), the two crews that will look to lead the Change a Life 2014 Dusi charge, recently boosted their confidence with victorious efforts at the Hi-Q Challenge (Albert Falls Dam, KZN) and EuroSteel Rumble (Gauteng) respectively, further heightening the belief that a Dusi 2014 gold medal may well be on the cards.
Photographer: Anthony Grote/Gameplan Media
Computershare Change a Life Academy steadfast Lucas Mthalane, together with 2014 Dusi Canoe Marathon partner Mmeli Cele, will form half of the renowned development programme’s senior gold medal charge while youngsters Mthobisi Cele, Mphilo Zondi and Nkosi Mabasa look to help fly the flag high at their annual highlight of the year.
“Two wins, in different locations – yeah it really was a great weekend for us,” said a pleased Dreyer.
“Hopefully this will also help them believe they can do it in Dusi.
“Lucas and Mmeli got a 9th in 2012’s Dusi, Kwanda finished fourth with Lance (Kime) in the same year and Zonele finished 9th in last year’s K1 Dusi, so they all know what it takes!
“If Kwanda and Zonele click on the day then they could be absolutely lethal at Dusi and Lucas and Mmeli are like two peas in a pod and are going really nicely at the moment.”
However, youngsters Mthobisi Cele – who will partner Damon Stamp at this year’s Dusi – as well as Mphilo Zondi and Nkosi Mabasa will also be out to do their utmost to play a supporting role to their seniors and look to start filling the void left by the natural progression of some the academy’s previous senior members.
“We have definitely spent a lot more time focusing on the juniors this year,” said Dreyer.
“For a guy like Mthobisi (Cele), who we’ve known has always had a lot of potential and was unlucky in last year’s K1 Dusi, to have had his potential recognized and to be welcomed as a partner by someone like Damon (Stamp) is just fantastic!”
“Mthobisi has been able to spend time with the Stamps on their farm, learn about a different culture. All that goes far, far beyond just the Dusi or even paddling, that for me is true integration and it’s fantastic that Change a Life Academy has been able to play a role in getting Mthobisi to this point.
“Mphilo is also a hugely talented youngster and I believe may well be the next big thing as far as future Dusi stars go. He has got a couple of good results recently and runs extremely well with the boat.
“Hopefully he (Zondi) and Nkosi (Mabasa) can have a good Dusi, this year maybe even get a top five in the junior boys, and continue to learn more and more about the river.”
Although his hands will be full to the brim with the needs of his academy regulars, Dreyer will be sure to also keep a close eye on Change a Life past-member and ambassador Sbonelo Zondi’s, and his partner Andy Birkett, progress throughout this year’s Dusi Canoe Marathon as well.
More information can be found at www.dusi.co.za
