An unknown South African sprinter was crowned South Africa’s fastest man at the SA Senior Track and Field Championships in Stellenbosch.

Who is Simon Magakwe anyway?

Well this wonderful fairytale story is of a 22 year old, despite his poor background and lesser opportunities that has presented him, he won the 100m event in 10.21 seconds and in the process he has qualified for the World Championship to be held in Berlin.

His job is taking photos for ID books and he had never been to the gym before nor received professional coaching as a sprinter.

Simon came down to the event without a sports bag, but a plastic bag with all his clothes in it. He got into his gear which is a sprint shoes donated by Olympic 800m medalist Hezekiel Sepeng who heard of his plight.

Wearing the same spikes hand-me-down spikes of three years old, Simon had to run the 100m finals twice. The first in 10.32 seconds and the second time round even faster in 10.21 seconds due to a false start by another sprinter.

Indeed he is a raw talent. As they say, if there’s a will, there’s a way.