• Legendary showjumper Enos Mafokate teaches Soweto children to ride and care for horses free of charge.

• His Soweto Equestrian Centre now has 25 horses and trains over 40 children every weekend.

Legendary South African showjumper Enos Mafokate is using his love for horses to help children in Moroka, Soweto.

One of the world’s top equestrians, Mafokate, offers free horse riding lessons to local children in the hopes of keeping them off the streets and giving them a purpose.

He began his journey as a stable boy in Rivonia, where the farm owner taught him to ride. He quickly fell in love with the sport, eventually earning international awards and local honours, including the Steve Tshwete Lifetime Achievement and Andrew Mlangeni Green Jacket awards.

Mafokate said that after seeing how badly horses were treated, he started giving lessons to teach children both horse riding and animal care.

He received land from the City of Johannesburg and launched the Soweto Equestrian Centre in 2007. He began with one borrowed horse and just two children. Now, over 40 children attend training sessions every weekend and during school holidays — and Mafokate owns 25 horses and ponies.

‘’The children are taught horseriding basics, horse care and grooming, advanced techniques for competitions, and riding discipline,’’ said Tshepo Masemola, an equestrian and trainer at the club.

‘’We prepare them for shows and help them build confidence and be responsible,’’ he added.

Three young riders — Tshepo Masemola, Kabelo Mafokate and Future Mashampa — are preparing for the 2028 Olympics. They competed in cross country events last year in Nelspruit and Cape Town.

Mafokate said many parents struggle to pay the R350 monthly fee, but he never turns any child away.

“I love seeing them here, happy and safe,’’ he said.

To support the centre, Mafokate rents out his horses for events. At Dobsonville Stadium’s family day, he offers Shetland pony rides. He also provides rides to inmates at Sun City prison on their family day.

The centre also hosts weddings and parties, rents out horse-drawn carriages for graduations, and provides therapeutic riding sessions for autistic learners and senior citizens.

Pictured above: Children at the Soweto Equestrian Centre prepare for training.

Image source: Soweto Equestrian Centre