Black Rein

In a historically wealthy sport dominated by the white elite and plagued by its colonial reign, a Black athlete draped in a red coat represented his nation.

In a historically wealthy sport dominated by the white elite and plagued by its colonial reign, a Black athlete draped in a red coat represented his nation.

This is the remarkable story of Enos Mafokate and the legacy he has worked so hard to create. A professional equestrian rider, Enos began his career as a stable hand and went on to become a world-class athlete during the Apartheid era in South Africa.

Though Enos developed a deep love for the horses he trained and nurtured, competing as a professional showjumper seemed out of the question because of the colour of his skin. As a child living under Apartheid, Enos was even faced with the threat of arrest after being caught riding a white man’s horse.

Still, despite racial tension and oppressive segregation laws, in 1975, Enos was able to overcome these hurdles to become South Africa’s first Black showjumper. Competing at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, Enos broke down barriers and stereotypes as he cleared each obstacle. Now running a non-profit organisation, the Enos Mafokate Centre in Soweto, Enos and his foundation provide young Black riders access to a world that has long sought to exclude them.

With the aim to improve the welfare of the community in Soweto and to open up the elite world of horse riding to those who cannot afford access, the Enos Mafokate Centre has become a pillar for the community.