Esona

Social media users have slammed Sandisiwe Sekeleni, who is Esona’s mother, for inviting the young biathlete’s aunt to the Portugal trip. Image via Twitter @esonasekeleni, @miss_loper/Instagram

‘4 people are going’: Esona’s mother slammed for inviting aunt to Portugal

Esona’s mother, Sandisiwe Sekeleni, added fuel to the fire when she explained that her sister is also going to the championships in Portugal.

Esona

Social media users have slammed Sandisiwe Sekeleni, who is Esona’s mother, for inviting the young biathlete’s aunt to the Portugal trip. Image via Twitter @esonasekeleni, @miss_loper/Instagram

East London swimmer and biathlete Esona Sekeleni’s mother, Sandisiwe Sekeleni’s attempt to explain the inflated costs of her daughter’s trip may have backfired.

On Wednesday 3 August, netizens slammed the single mom for including “unnecessary” costs in her daughter’s trip to represent South Africa at the World Biathle Championships in Portugal in October this year.

ALSO READ: ‘R35k for food?’: Tweeps call on mam’ Baleka to help Esona get to Portugal

ESONA’S MOTHER EXPLAINS ‘INFLATED COSTS

According to an interview Sandisiwe did with DispatchLIVE, the 10-year-old champion will be accompanied by three other people, one of them being her aunt.

“There are four people who are actually going. Esona has a team of people going with her.

“She is going with myself, my sister. If people have been following, it’s normally the person who has been accompanying us in all the events that she has.

“She went with us to Cape Town, she steps in when I’m not there, she takes her galas when I’m not able to attend, she has been supporting us, and her coach is coming with.”

The young athlete will also be accompanied by her coach, who is included in the costs.

ESONA’S LIST OF NEEDS

According to a list of needs doing the rounds on social media which was posted on Esona’s social media accounts, the young girl and her mother are pleading for donations for flights to Portugal, money for visas, money for local accommodation and flights to apply for their visas.

They will also need money for Esona’s kit, registration for her race, petty cash, food, entertainment and transport when in Portugal. In total, the cost amounts to R189 000.

However, her crowdfunding page on Candy Stick says she needs R120 000, not R189 000. So far, just over R17 000 has been raised.

‘WHY IS THE AUNT ALSO TRAVELLING?’

Netizens are still criticising Sandisiwe following her explanation.

“Imagine we have to donate for Esona+Mother+Esona’s Aunt +Coach… Why Esona engahambi no Coach and these costs will go down to 50k minimum,” one tweep wrote.

“But why is the aunt also travelling with Esona? On other people’s budget,” another Twitter user wrote.