Farewell to the queen that raised an Olympic medalist

Gakenaope, 89, is credited for her significant impact on the athelete's personal and professional development. She raised and took care of Nigel in the dusty Chilindi Ward of Marobela Village after his mother passed away in 1999 when he was just five years old. Nigel went on to be a global star after winning a silver medal in the London 2012 Olympic Games aged eighteen after clocking a time of 1:41:73.

In an interview with Mmegi, Nigel who is undergoing training in Potchefstroom, South Africa stated that he learnt of his grandmother's passing an hour before he arrived home.