Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma has congratulated swimmer Natalie du Toit for becoming the first South African to win a gold medal for Team South Africa in the London Paralympics Games on Thursday.
Swimming her final Paralympics, du Toit won gold in the women's 100-metre butterfly final (S9 class) on the first day of the competition. She clocked a winning time of 1min 09.30sec.
"We warmly congratulate Natalie for once again uniting our country in the pride and glory of this Paralympic achievement and we are confident of more medals to come from the Paralympic Team South Africa," said President Zuma.
SASCOC chief executive officer, Tubby Reddy also congratulated du Toit. "Natalie has shown us by her performances both in Athens and Beijing that she is a reliable source of excellence when it comes to swimming.
"We are hoping that she will win many more medals and also helps inspire the rest of Team South Africa for the remainder of the Paralympic Games."
At the last Paralympic Games in Beijing four years ago, du Toit won five gold medals as South Africa ended sixth on the medals table with 30 medals (21 gold).
South Africa's Olympic Committee chose du Toit to carry their flag at the 2008 Summer Olympics opening ceremony, making her the first athlete to carry a flag in both Olympics and Paralympics in a single year.
The Paralympics continue until 9 September.
