History made as longstanding OCC athlete joins York High

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GEORGE NEWS - When Grade 11 learner Zach Legward (19) first entered the foyer of York High, he was not only using the very first wheelchair to go onto the recently built ramps, but also became a part of the school’s history by being one of the first learners with a physical disability to attend this school in recent years.

During his birth via C-section, Zach’s intestines were punctured and displaced, and he had to undergo six surgeries in the neonatal ICU.

After being discharged, he could no longer use his legs, but with his father, Geoff, an active outdoor sportsman and enthusiast by his side, little Zach was never going to allow that - or anything - to hold him back.

Zach has recently embarked on an exciting new chapter by relocating from Pretoria to George with his father, Geoff.

This young man is no stranger to George, however, having become a familiar face at the annual Outeniqua Chair Challenge (OCC), in which he has competed 11 times. With a smile, he says he looks forward to 2027 now that he lives right around the corner from the race.

Zach has enrolled at York High School, where ongoing improvements over the past year have made the school premises more accessible for learners with disabilities.

As for moving to a new school in Grade 11, the confident young man said he is excited. “The emotions are all over the place, but the feelings are high spirits. I’m excited to meet the learners and the teachers, and excited to explore the school grounds, so there are a lot of mixed emotions.”

Joining Zach and Geoff on Zach’s first day was the George Municipality’s speaker, Sean Snyman, who was equally excited.

“This is the culmination of 10 years. I actually came to Council wanting to fight for people with disabilities and address accessibility.”

Snyman has been a friend of the Legwards for 15 years.

“When the school phoned me last year and said they were looking at putting in ramps, I never dreamt that a year later, the son of someone I’d known for 15 years would be starting at the school. For me, this is huge.

“Zach is the perfect child to start with, because of his confidence and background. He is going to help the school a lot by paving the way for other children. I hope there are more who come.”

Also present to meet his new learner was York High’s principal, Francois Moll, who said focusing on making York High as welcoming a place as possible for every type of learner had been a part of the transformation committee’s projects for a while now.

“Last year, we had a lot of collaboration on building ramps, which has been tremendous.”

Moll stresses the importance of not placing too much focus on Zach’s physical disability. “He’s a normal kid, and he will be naughty; sometimes he will not do his homework, and that’s fine. The sooner that basic integration happens, the better. I’m glad he is here, and I’m looking forward to what he can tell us about our systems as well.”

As for how Zach’s first day had gone, he said he loved it. “Day one was busy! It consisted of a lot of moving around the school, as some of my classes are on opposite ends of the building, so I had to do some mileage to get to my classes.”

And with a laugh, he commented that many of his classmates were feeling the arrival of the cold front.

“This isn’t cold! I am used to going to school in minus three degrees, but yes, it’s been wet!”

We look forward to welcoming the young Zach Legward to his ‘home’ OCC in 2027 - as a local.The George Municipality’s speaker, Sean Snyman, Geoff Legward and his son, Zach, and York High headmaster Francois Moll. Photos: Jeff Ayliffe