Sanele Ndlovu

Passion, enthusiasm, and determination is what drives a young man from Hammarsdale to be the best fitness trainer that he is.

Bongani Gumede is a 24-year-old man, he was born and breed in Nkandla, just outside Unit4 Township in Hammarsdale. He developed his love for gym in 2012 when he was still in high school. Him and his brothers used to train each other using concrete bricks at his home backyard.

One day they decided to visit a real gym, which is where and when they got a sense of what a gym is and what it should look like.

His love grew big from there and was even more encouraged to open his own gym. He continued to train even when he had finished school until he found a job. However, circumstances forced Bongani to put his dream of opening a gym on hold.

“Although I had money at the time, the responsibilities I had at home could not allow me to put more focus on the gym and buy material at the time,” said Bongani.

Bongani could not give up on his dream, he thrived through all that seemed to hinder his progress. When things started to work out, he bought his first ever Progen machine which was followed by many others in 2019. That is how Big Guns Gym was born.

They offer services for all ages, both men and women. They believe what they are doing helpful to the community. They help youth stay out of drugs and women gain more confidence on themselves.

Bongani teamed up with his brother Sandile Gumede who had studies Personal training. They believe that together they open the biggest gym Hammarsdale has ever had.

“If you have an idea, pursue it, it does not matter how long it takes. Although it will not be easy busy in the end it would be worth,”

Bongani encourages the youth to put got first in everything and never give up.

Picture: Supplied