History
PRESS ROOM
They Have a DreamAuthor: Cara Bouwer, Destiny 0000-00-00
“I’m no Clever Trevor, but I have passion and heart,” Jenna Clifford will tell you. She also has vision. It’s this vision that inspired her to approach gold medallist Ryk Neethling and, together, formulate a plan to change a nation’s mindset.
Neethling recalls: “Jenna asked me if there was an idea or phrase that drives me. I thought: ‘Dream Big’. Whenever I sign autographs for kids, I say: ‘Dream big’, because I feel we don’t do that enough in South Africa.
“People always ask me if we [the men’s 4 x 100m relay team] could have won that gold medal if we hadn’t gone to America, and I say ‘no’. It’s not because of the training or the facilities – it’s that bigdream mindset the Americans have.”
The initiative hopes to inspire a philosophy of excellence. And, yes, shelling out for a diamond-encrusted Dream Big rose pendant will put money in the coffers of two beneficiaries: the Walter Sisulu Cardiac Unit and the Tomorrow Trust. Clifford says: “A lot of people will think: ‘She’s in the jewellery business, so she’s selling.’ Yes, I do. I’m not going to say I don’t.”
WHY NOW ?
Timing is critical. “We’re at a turning point of either mass meltdown or civil war,” says Clifford. “We have to get back to a value system in this country.”
Neethling agrees. “We, as ordinary people, need to take it in our own hands to do something. Thabo Mbeki isn’t going to do it for us. It’s up to individuals.”
Neethling, for whom the Beijing Olympics will be his last, believes success begets success. We can already look forward to his memoirs being released towards the end of this year. The Swimming Academy in Pretoria - of which he’s Director of Swimming - will bring international methods and standards to bear in this country. And don’t forget his passion for real estate. “I’ve had plenty of offers,” he told DESTINY.
And, of course, he and Clifford will continue to Dream Big.