Sipho Paul Pretorius

becoming

[Sipho Paul Pretorius @sipsi_pretorius]

@destiny_ndlovu @MafistoKhumalo

[Sipho Paul Pretorius @sipsi_pretorius]

@MuloiwaThendo @MafistoKhumalo

[𝚊𝚕𝚎𝚡 @alexsithole]

Oupa Manyisa was a madman to even think of attempting to score from that range

[Sipho Paul Pretorius @sipsi_pretorius]

@Mukondeleli22 @MafistoKhumalo

[JussDonald Ooowhkay🏴‍☠️ @ooowhkay1055]

@iDiskiTimes Kaizer Chiefs Management right now!

[PureChaos @Skhoimp1615452]

@iDiskiTimes Kaizer chiefs right now :

[ACI Africa @aciafricanews]

Before Sabastian Sawe travelled to London for the Sunday, April 26 marathon in which he would emerge the winner, the young athlete attended service at Holy Family Catholic Church, an outstation of St. Josephine Bakhita Lower Moiben Parish of Kenya’s Catholic Diocese of Eldoret.

Speaking to ACI Africa after Sabastian’s record London marathon win, Julius Kemei, the chairperson of Holy Family Catholic Church remembered the marathoner asking for prayers at the end of the service.

In the interview with ACI Africa on Wednesday, April 29, Kemei spoke about the marathoner’s strong Catholic roots, his active participation in Church activities and generosity towards Church projects.

“Sabastian never misses any church service. The last time he was here, he told us that he was travelling the same day to London for a competition and asked us to pray for him,” Kemei said, and emphasized, “He never misses Mass. He comes with his entire family to Church. Whenever he is not around, his wife and children come.”

In London, the 31-year-old Kenyan crossed the line to win in a record 1.59.30, more than one minute faster than the previous 2:00:35 record set by the late Kelvin Kiptum in 2023.

Kemei who taught Sabastian at Cheukta Primary School where the youngster’s star began to shine through interschool and zonal competitions said that with the sustained success in athletics, the Catholic Church in Moiben has a role model, a mentor, and a big supporter of the Church’s development projects.

“He may be young but he has already entered the ranks of an elder of our Church,” Kemei said, adding that Sabastian has always been ready to donate towards Church projects.

“There is a marathon he won before this London one… and he came and gave the Church Ksh.100,000. There are times he offers to complete projects by himself, saying that God has already blessed him so much,” Kemei said.

He recounted the young marathoner’s strong Catholic upbringing, with his entire family being the pillar of the newly established Parish.

“Four families are pillars of our new Parish. Sabastian’s is one of them,” the church official said, and explained, “When Bishop Dominic Kimengich made us a Parish before he was appointed Archbishop of Mombasa, we were worried about resources. But each member of Sabastian’s family donated something to our Church.”

His most recent donation towards Holy Family Catholic Church was a large flock of sheep. The donations are towards the construction of a Church to accommodate the parish’s growing numbers.

Sabastian’s grandmother also donated a cow towards the Church before she died in 2022 while her grandchild curved his way in the world of athletics in Spain.

Kemei agreed with media reports that Sabastian has promised to complete the construction of his Church back home after winning big in London, adding, “After he is done with the national reception in Nairobi, I know he will want to head straight to his home and the Church is one of the first places he will want to be. And he will want to know how he can support the completion its construction.”

While at Cheukta primary School, Sabastian never struck Kemei as an extraordinary child until his upper primary classes when he started participating in interschool cross-country competitions and zonal competitions where he performed really well.

“I remember him as a very shy student. I saw his talent and nurtured it. But it was after he transitioned to high school that his star started to shine brighter,” Kemei narrated to ACI Africa.

He said that Sabastian comes from a family of athletes. “His paternal grandfather was a marathoner. His uncle also participated in athletics up to Uganda. And his mother was also a sprinter for those who saw her at Kasarani stadium,” he said.

Sabastian shows young people that everything is possible with commitment and a firm trust in God, Kemei said, and explained, “Many youths in our parish have started going to him for mentorship. He is a great resource to our Church.”

https://t.co/q78BAFZ4qn

[NzeEdwards @Vicmwenya]

There’s a time hubby and I were at the airport. We got into the picture and selfie moment. We took quite a number of them. All nice and laughing. Upon viewing them he told me to delete some coz he didn’t like how he looked in them. I insisted and said No. He insisted and I also insisted it’s my phone.

He asked me only one question: So u can’t listen to me if I say I don’t like them?
I knew there and then we’ve now crossed into the husband mode and outa friend mode no-more. I immediately handed over the phone and he deleted the ones he didn’t feel okay with.

That’s all she’s trying to say here.
The ability to discern who is talking at what moment and acting accordingly.

Hope this example throws more light..

[Catholic News Agency @cnalive]

“Peace, in fact, cannot be decreed: It must be embraced and lived,” Pope Leo XIV emphasized on Wednesday in a meeting with government authorities, the diplomatic corps, and civil society in Cameroon — the second stop of his journey in Africa.

https://t.co/3hPK85xcLq

[Mohamad Safa @mhdksafa]

Our world is not divided by race, color, gender, or religion. Our world is divided into wise people and fools. And fools divide themselves by race, color, gender, or religion.

[Mbuyiseni Ndlozi @MbuyiseniNdlozi]

The Pope doing God’s work… when others would have Muslims set against Christians, the Pope says we can live together.

Blessed are the peace makers… 🙏🏾

[Catholic Sat @CatholicSat]

Pope Leo XIV lights a candle and prays before an icon of the 19 Martyrs of Algeria, slain by Islamic terrorists between 1994 and 1996 during the Algerian Civil War.

[Sipho Paul Pretorius @sipsi_pretorius]

@scoopmakhathini happy earth day young lad, I just also welcomed my 3rd born Son today.

[Mitch Haefele @mitchhaefe29390]

Classic proteas best team in the tournament get to the semi final and we are 77-5 and choking

[Sipho Paul Pretorius @sipsi_pretorius]

Yeah it's done we can book our flight home, again when it matters most we just cant seem to get over the line

[Mel @khethiwe85]

There are people in this life that don’t seem to catch a break and honestly God must just favour everyone. Like no man hey 😔

[Sipho Paul Pretorius @sipsi_pretorius]

@TelkomZA I need help with my number I been using for over 3years apparently I cant get a sim swap, who can I speak too?

[Sipho Paul Pretorius @sipsi_pretorius]

@City_Ekurhuleni Are we on track for the rest of daveyton #iBelieveInYou

[Sipho Paul Pretorius @sipsi_pretorius]

@grok who is the xhosa lady who has a gap in her teeth and does videos in her car?

[Alex @Alex_sithole_]

"I'm a Pirates fan, but Sundowns is repre...."