“When I went to the hospital now you see who supports you then like your family, your friends. It was so full in the corridor,” he says.

“My mom couldn’t go in because it was full of students from different schools from Cape Town, Pinelands, Claremont. People loved and supported me.”

Despite being surrounded by such tremendous love and support, the harsh reality was that extensive damage to his right leg and foot left the doctors with no alternative but to amputate his leg above the knee.

It was around this time that Mdudu’s inherent resilience first began to show itself. Even after spending a month in hospital – Simo immediately embraced the challenges that came with his new life – returning to school just two weeks after being discharged.

Like so many children growing up in South Africa, Mdudu loved to play soccer with his friends and was shattered by the thought of never taking the field again. He was soon to be exposed to another sport that he’d instantly develop an affinity for.

A resident of the Cape Town suburb of Philippi, Mdudu had known his neighbour Florence for a number of years. What he didn’t know was who she worked for: SADGA Operations Manager Lily Reich. Recognising that she had a chance to make a difference in Mdudu’s life, Florence introduced her neighbour to Reich who had impacted the lives of so many children just like Simo over the years.

Mdudu joined the SADGA’s First Swing Program shortly thereafter and would travel to the association’s home at King David Golf Club every Friday where he’d spend the afternoon developing his golf game.

Fast-forward five years and Mdudu’s progress has been astounding. Today Mdudu plays off an 18.7 Handicap Index and in February he made his debut for Team South in the SADGA Provincial Challenge. When asked about the impact that golf has had on his life, Mdudu doesn’t mince his words.

“I felt that golf saved my life because I was part of something. I felt like I belonged,” he says. While the Provincial Challenge was great for competitive experience, the Canon SA Disabled Golf Open is a different kettle of fish entirely.

Nevertheless, Simo showed in last year’s event at Magalies Park that he is capable of withstanding the pressure. His performance improved each day and stableford rounds of 27-29-38 earned him a 24-point win over Thys Kruger in the leg-amputee stableford category.

Steady improvements over the past year means that Mdudu will be playing three rounds of medal around The Woods layout at Mount Edgecombe. On his goals for the event, Simo warned against the pitfalls of unrealistic expectations.

“I want to put a realistic goal, just to be top-25 for now. At the end of the day, if I put top-10 and don’t get it then I was fooling myself,” he says.

With a wealth of mental fortitude to compliment his tempered expectations, Mdudu may be primed for a special week at South Africa’s flagship disabled golf event.