Opening the first equestrian club in Soweto and being an international champion is what drives Enos Mafokate to continue to do what he does.
The man who attributes his faith and success to God said he opened the centre in 1998, at the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) in Mofolo.
"In order for my business to grow I had to make a plan. I started teaching adults and children about looking after animals and the horsing sport," he said.
Mafokate is the father of popular kwaito star Arthur Mafokate. He owns and manages the Soweto Equestrian Centre.
"When I arrive, I make the bed for the horses, then I change their water, (and) clean their droppings. I also check how (they are) growing.
"Among other things I need to make sure of is that the horses have passports and their vaccinations [papers] are fine. Horses have to be cared for like humans."
Mafokate said he spent a better part of the day training.
"I train children in riding horses, [but] also train horses on how to be ridden. Sometimes you find that the horse is rude and does not want to be tamed. I normally tame the horses by feeding them carrots and patting them on the back," he said.
Mafokate teaches showjumping and vaulting.
He illustrated how patience is needed to tame a wild horse.
"When our horse Orlando first arrived, I had bought him from an auction and he was a wild horse. He did not want to be touched and did not want anyone near him. He was very anti-social," Mafokate said. "It took me three months to tame him. I had to be very gentle and careful when I came near him. I would hold his neck and talk to him.
"A wild horse needs patience and care otherwise it will kick you. Now he is tame and he competes in championships. He is a joy to have around. We have had him for four years."
The 73-year-old said he was motivated by seeing the black child competing on the same level as the white child in the sport.
"My first students were Thabang Mokgatla and Neo Morawane. They were eight then. I bumped into Neo and he thanked me for the work I did in his life. He now (also) trains small children."
Mafokate has performed internationally - winning several awards in spite of the difficult sporting conditions during the apartheid era.
masemolam@sowetan.co.za
Mafokate trains youngsters in horse riding
Opening the first equestrian club in Soweto and being an international champion is what drives Enos Mafokate to continue to do what he does.
The man who attributes his faith and success to God said he opened the centre in 1998, at the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) in Mofolo.
"In order for my business to grow I had to make a plan. I started teaching adults and children about looking after animals and the horsing sport," he said.
Mafokate is the father of popular kwaito star Arthur Mafokate. He owns and manages the Soweto Equestrian Centre.
"When I arrive, I make the bed for the horses, then I change their water, (and) clean their droppings. I also check how (they are) growing.
"Among other things I need to make sure of is that the horses have passports and their vaccinations [papers] are fine. Horses have to be cared for like humans."
Mafokate said he spent a better part of the day training.
"I train children in riding horses, [but] also train horses on how to be ridden. Sometimes you find that the horse is rude and does not want to be tamed. I normally tame the horses by feeding them carrots and patting them on the back," he said.
Mafokate teaches showjumping and vaulting.
He illustrated how patience is needed to tame a wild horse.
"When our horse Orlando first arrived, I had bought him from an auction and he was a wild horse. He did not want to be touched and did not want anyone near him. He was very anti-social," Mafokate said. "It took me three months to tame him. I had to be very gentle and careful when I came near him. I would hold his neck and talk to him.
"A wild horse needs patience and care otherwise it will kick you. Now he is tame and he competes in championships. He is a joy to have around. We have had him for four years."
The 73-year-old said he was motivated by seeing the black child competing on the same level as the white child in the sport.
"My first students were Thabang Mokgatla and Neo Morawane. They were eight then. I bumped into Neo and he thanked me for the work I did in his life. He now (also) trains small children."
Mafokate has performed internationally - winning several awards in spite of the difficult sporting conditions during the apartheid era.
masemolam@sowetan.co.za
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending
Latest Videos