MONTJANE Kgothatso

Classification
Open (ITF, 05 Feb 2020)

Type of Impairment
Limb deficiency (Athlete, 11 Aug 2015)

Origin of Impairment
Congenital (Athlete, 11 Aug 2015)

Impairment Details
She had her left leg amputated below the knee at age 12 as a result of amniotic band syndrome. (kgothatsomontjane.com, 01 Jan 2020; w24.co.za, 11 Oct 2018; Athlete, 11 Aug 2015)

General
FINANCIAL CONCERNS
In 2017 and early 2018 her international ranking dropped after she was unable to attend competitions as the result of Tennis South Africa losing its funding for wheelchair tennis players. She considered looking for work away from tennis, until a donation from former first lady of South Africa Zanele Mbeki allowed her to play at the French Open and Wimbledon in 2018. She then secured sponsorship from 10 different companies before the 2018 US Open. "They [Tennis South Africa] said, 'We really don't have enough money to keep you guys going. So we think it's about time you try to look out for something for yourself out there'. It was quite stressful. Honestly, I just didn't know what I was going to do. I didn't have any hope at all. It was tough, you know, when you don't even know if you're going to be able to pay your bills, or what you are going to eat, because you're not playing at all. I just kept practising every day. I just kept going to the gym. When I play tennis, it's just like I'm starting the day on a clean slate. You know, with my mind reset and all that. I just kept my normal routine going." (wbur.org, 05 Jul 2019; Twitter profile, 06 Aug 2018)

MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER
She has travelled to rural areas and townships in South Africa to share her life story. "I want young people to understand that staying active and healthy when you have a disability will help you a lot physically. I can see what tennis has done for me. When I turned to other tennis players, I was curious and would ask, 'When did you start playing?' Most of them started very young, or some had been playing before their accidents. So, seeing my conditions, I feel I've made it. It is important for me as a role model to keep inspiring the younger generation." (w24.co.za, 11 Oct 2018; ewn.co.za, 25 Jul 2018; CGTN Africa YouTube channel, 08 Apr 2018)

FURTHER EDUCATION
She has also studied retail business management at the University of Johannesburg in South Africa. (Facebook profile, 16 Apr 2021)

OTHER ACTIVITIES
In 2016 she founded Montjane Sports Development [MSD]. The initiative aims to increase participation in sport for people with impairments in South Africa, as well as assisting with the renovation of local communities. (montjanesportsdev.wordpress.com, 01 Jan 2016)